Intermediate German: People, Places, and Traditions
Strengthen your German language skills and grow your knowledge of everyday life in German-speaking countries.
Duration
Approx 12 weeks4 hrs per week
Improve your language skills on a virtual tour through the German-speaking world
This twelve-week ExpertTrack from The Open University will deepen your understanding of the people, places, and traditions of Germany and other countries where German is spoken, helping you gain the knowledge to take your language skills to the next level.
You’ll embark on a virtual journey through various regions of German-speaking countries and learn about life in cities and towns, focussing in particular on Hamburg in the north of Germany and Passau in the south. You’ll develop your language skills to explore the geography and landscapes of these areas, and discover their festivals and traditions.
Through engaging case studies, you’ll get to know a variety of people who will share their day-to-day lives and insights, offering a more in-depth understanding of the countries in which German is spoken.
Improve your knowledge of German pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary
On this ExpertTrack, you’ll build on your beginner level skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as well as perfecting your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
A mixture of video, audio and written texts will help you discover how to talk about your own life and experiences. You’ll gain skills to communicate your ideas and reflect on cultures of German-speaking countries to develop your intercultural awareness and communication skills.
Put your German language skills into practice
Throughout the courses, you’ll consolidate your learning by engaging in written conversation with other learners, in both German and English, sharing study tips and contributing to debates. This will cement your learning and give you the confidence to use your newly developed skills in the real world.
By the end of this ExpertTrack, you’ll have the skills to become an independent and competent user of German, having gained a wider knowledge of the geography, landscapes, and festivals of German-speaking countries.
Key skills you will learn
- Understanding spoken German
- German pronunciation
- Writing and understanding German
- Intercultural understanding and communication
- Note taking and summarising information
- Preparing and producing second language oral presentations
- Online research in a second language
- Second language dictionary skills
- Recognising the international phonetic alphabet
Learning outcomes
By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of spoken and written communication in German relating to a variety of everyday contexts
- Demonstrate an understanding of cultural information relating to societies where German is spoken and an ability to reflect on cultural differences
- Develop and demonstrate lexical, grammatical and phonological competence in spoken and written German in a variety of everyday contexts
- Communicate successfully in spoken and written German within a range of everyday contexts
Experience required
You should have a good basic knowledge of German and be at Level A2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To ensure success, you should be able to:
- Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment)
- Communicate routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters
- Describe in simple terms aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need
Getting started
This ExpertTrack will be of interest if you are:
- Seeking to extend your knowledge of the German language and to develop your ability to communicate in spoken and written German
- Looking to improve your professional prospects through increased competence in German
- Interested in developing your understanding of people, places and cultures in the countries where German is spoken
ExpertTrack course overview
Course 1
Intermediate German: People and Lifestyles
Explore German-speaking countries and the language used to talk about different regions and towns.
4 tests
4 weeks
4 hours per week
Course 2
Intermediate German: Countries and Landscapes
Examine the human and physical geography of German-speaking countries and the language used to discuss them.
4 tests
4 weeks
4 hours per week
Course 3
Intermediate German: Festivals and Traditions
Discover traditions and festivals in German-speaking countries and gain the language skills to speak and write about them.
4 tests
4 weeks
4 hours per week
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
Download a PDF
How ExpertTracks work
Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.
Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.
Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.
Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.
Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.
World-class learning with The Open University
As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.
Established
1969Location
Milton Keynes, UKWorld ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
Meet your instructor
Dr Susanne Winchester is an Associate Lecturer in German at The Open University and has authored on various German modules. She has a special interest in learning theory and vocabulary learning.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
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FAQ
ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.
Each ExpertTrack comes with a 7-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.
Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 7-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.
You have seven days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 7-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.
Please see our full refund policy here.
No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.
No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.
If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.
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