The STV German Language School
'Devoted to the promotion and teaching of the German language'

Course Descriptions 

Children's Classes

Krabbelgruppe (Ages birth - 4 with parent participation)
Both the parents and the children participate during this class. The children and parents are led in age appropriate songs, finger games, clapping games, stories and organized play time as one would find in a traditional play group in Germany.

Children's Class (Ages 4-7)
This class is full of songs, games, crafts and fun, instructed completely in immersion German. The children are guided through traditional activities one would find in a German home or play group. Although this is for younger children, the older ones are invited to stay and learn the songs and games as well.

Children's Class (Ages 8-12)
The children are guided through thematic units such as holidays, numbers, letters, family, sports, the body, food, etc. with movement, games, rhymes and rhythm. A weekly lesson brings in a more academic element and the students use verbal and written exercises to reinforce what they have learned.

Adult Classes

Beginning German 1A
This course is the first in a series of four introductory classes and is ideal for the student who has either never taken German or has only a little experience in the language and grammar. Students will learn how to ask questions and answer them, the present tense verb forms, about nouns and articles in the nominative case as well as essential communication basics such as how to count, spell, buy things, etc. The first three chapters of the Berliner Platz 1 Neu textbook are covered.

Beginning German 1B
This is our second course and ideally should follow the Beginning German I course, but any student who already feels comfortable with this material is welcome to join us. After an initial review, students learn about separable prefix verbs, clauses, amounts, plurals, the accusative case, the imperative, and modals as well as how to tell time and order in restaurants and shop in markets. Chapters 4-6 in Berliner Platz 1 Neu textbook are covered.

Beginning German 1C
Our third course is for students who have either taken the first two beginning courses or for those who have sufficient understanding of the material and vocabulary of the first six chapters of the Berliner Platz 1 Neu (or equivalent). After an initial review, students learn dative prepositions, question articles, more about modal verbs, and possessive adjectives as well as about life in the city, busses and trains, the work place, the body and visits to the doctor. Chapters 7-9 in the Berliner Platz 1 Neu textbook are covered.

Beginning German 1D
This course concludes our introductory classes. After an initial review, students learn the perfect tense, use of coordinating conjunctions, demonstrative pronouns, and the comparative as well as about finding an apartment, talking about past events, buying clothes and making comparisons. The final chapters 10-12 of the Berliner Platz 1 Neu textbook are covered.

Intermediate German 2A
This course begins our second level of German study and the text, Berliner Platz 2 Neu, begins with accusative and dative pronouns, modal verbs in the simple past, dative verbs, and subordinating clauses after an initial review. Discussion topics include the family, festivals and celebrations, and setting up house in Germany. Chapters 13 - 15 are covered, which are the first three chapters of BP2 Neu.

Intermediate German 2B
After an initial review, this course intensifies the study of subordinating clauses, adjectives, and the future tense. Education, fashion, beauty, vacation, the seasons and train travel are the topics for this class. Chapters 16 -18 of Berliner Platz 2 Neu are covered.

Intermediate German 2C
This course teaches pronouns, verbs with prepositions, relative clauses, and the subjunctive. Free time activities, employment, and politics in Germany are the materials for discussion. Chapters 19 - 22 of Berliner Platz 2 Neu are covered.

Intermediate German 2D
This course concludes our intermediate series of classes. Prepositions and subordinating clauses dominate the material for this course and transportation, the media, and cultural differences are the discussion topics. The final chapters, chapters 22 - 24, of Berliner Platz 2 Neu are covered.

Advanced German
This course is taught entirely in German and will cover a wide variety of topics and materials, including grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening. Currently there is no textbook as the teacher will bring in a wide variety of materials such as newspaper and magazine articles, poetry, and short literature and professional texts as well as grammar topics, for study and practice based on student level, desire and input. This course is for all who have completed the four beginning and intermediate courses or those who are confident in their skills and are ready to expand their understanding and ability to effectively and correctly communicate.

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All of our adult courses are taught in a modified Communicative approach and include considerable conversation time, pronunciation practice and information about daily life in German speaking countries. Be prepared to actively participate! Although we are adults, we keep our course material and discussions "G-Rated" in order to maintain a high level of professionalism and respect. If you are not sure in which course you belong, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you determine which course will benefit you most.

Textbook Information

Children's Classes
There are no textbooks for our children's classes. The instructor may request a $10 materials fee per session.

Adult Classes
Berliner Platz 1 Neu (Level A1) Student Pack Text and Workbook Combo with audio CD and glossary by Christiane Lemcke, Lutz Rohrmann, and Theo Scherling (ISBN: 978-3-468-96989-8 ) is used for all four beginning classes at the STV GLS.

Berliner Platz 2 Neu (Level A2) Student Pack Text and Workbook Combo with audio CD by Christiane Lemcke, Lutz Rohrmann, and Theo Scherling (ISBN: 978-3-468-96991-1 is used for all four intermediate classes at the STV GLS.

Textbooks are available for sale before or after class meetings or you may purchase your text in advance. It can be ordered either via standard booksellers such as amazon.com (but please be sure all components are included and the ISBN is correct) or, preferably, ordered directly from Langenscheidt, the publisher, for $60.00 plus applicable fees.

These texts and our course materials adhere to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines as well as to the Common European Framework (CEF) and, with Berliner Platz 1, 2 and 3 Neu prepare students for the Zertifikat Deutsch, an internationally recognized proficiency examination, which is available to take at the Goethe Institute in San Francisco several times each year.

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