Course detail
German 1
FSI-N1 Acad. year: 2027/2028 Winter semester
The course is intended to teach German as a foreign language at general level.
This course is designed for beginners and so-called “false beginners” who want to acquire or reinforce the basics of the German language and begin to use it actively in everyday communication situations. The course focuses on the practical acquisition of basic vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures corresponding to the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Students will learn to introduce themselves and others, have a simple conversation, obtain and provide basic personal information, and communicate in a café, in a language course, and in other everyday situations. They will also become familiar with the vocabulary and language tools needed to describe housing, people, places, and basic orientation in the city.
The course combines the acquisition of grammar and vocabulary with their immediate practical application. Emphasis is placed on developing communication skills, particularly understanding simple messages, asking questions, formulating answers, and engaging in short dialogues. Students gradually build confidence in using German and acquire a foundation for further language study as well as for applying German in their personal, academic, and future professional lives.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to handle basic communicative situations in German, understand simple messages, and formulate short oral and written statements on familiar topics.
Language of instruction
German
Number of ECTS credits
2
Supervisor
Department
Entry knowledge
Prior knowledge of German is not required. The course is designed for beginners as well as students who have had some experience with German but need to review and reinforce the basics.
The only requirement is a basic ability to understand instructions in class and actively participate in language exercises.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Course-unit credit is awarded on condition of having attended the seminars actively, worked out assigned tasks and passed a credit test. 60% points at the credit test as minimum.
Attendance at seminars is compulsory and is systematically checked by the teacher. Students are allowed to miss two seminars. Absence may be in justified cases compensated for with the consent of the teacher.
Aims
The aim of the course is to equip students for real-life tasks, such as describing problems or giving instructions, that arise in a wide range of technical occupations.
Students will be made familiar with general vocabulary for the workplace and simple grammar for everyday communication at level A1 CEFR.
Upon completion of the course, students will be familiar with the basic rules of German pronunciation and spelling and will have acquired a basic vocabulary corresponding to level A1 of the CEFR. They will be familiar with and able to explain basic grammatical concepts, in particular verb conjugation, the use of articles, negation, the plural, possessive pronouns and the dative case.
Students will be able to introduce themselves and others in German, understand simple questions and messages, and respond appropriately. They will be able to hold simple conversations in everyday situations, such as in a café, in class, while travelling, or when discussing accommodation. They can describe people and places, find their way around basic information about towns and countries, and formulate simple questions, answers and short messages.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-OBN-P: Common Offer, Bachelor's, elective
Programme N-OBN-P: Common Offer, Master's, elective
Programme BIT: Information Technology, Bachelor's
specialization BITP: Information Technology, elective
Type of course unit
Language exercise
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
1. Introduction, spelling in German
2. L 0 – Starting with German, internationalism, basic German phrases
3. L 0 – Starting with German, self introduction and providing basic personal details
4. L 1 – Café d, basic conversations and situations in a café, intoducing someone else
5. L 1 – In the café, numerals, verb "to be"
6. L 2 – In the language course, objects in the course room, the plural form of nouns
7. L 2 – In the language course, indefinite articles, negation
8. L 3 – Cities, countries, languages, simple past tense of "to be"
9. L 3 – Orientation on the map, tourist attractions and basic information about the destinations
10. L 4 – Living, description and evaluation of living conditions, possessive pronouns, adjectives
11. L 4 – Living, moving, basic vocabulary and situations, Cases (Accusative)
12. Station 1 – Job: teacher/student, repetition: grammar and vocabulary from previous lessons
13. Summary, revision, credit test