Why Study German? (Parent Information)

 German Course Offerings

German I

Introduces the German language; emphasizes all skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing in an integrated way. Includes how to greet and take leave of someone, to ask and respond to basic questions, to speak and read within a range of carefully selected topics and to develop an understanding of German speaking cultures.

German II

Enhances Level One skills in German and provides opportunities to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in an integrated way. Provides continued practice in how to greet and take leave of someone, to ask and respond to basic questions, to speak and read within a range of carefully selected topics and to increase understanding of German-speaking cultures.

German III


Enhances Level Two skills in German and provides further opportunities to increase listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in an integrated way. Provides continued practice in previous topics and introduces new topics; offers further opportunities to increase understanding of German-speaking cultures.

German IV

Enhances Level Three skills in German and provides further opportunities to increase listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in an integrated way. Provides continued language development through exploration of familiar and unfamiliar topics and provides opportunities for a broader and more extensive understanding of German-speaking cultures.  To increase levels of proficiency in all skill areas and to increase understanding of German-speaking cultures.

Advanced Placement German Language

Conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement German Language Examination.  Emphasizes having a strong command of vocabulary and structure, understanding spoken German, reading newspapers and magazines, contemporary fiction and non-technical writing without using a dictionary and expressing ideas orally and in writing accurately and fluently. Students are expected to take the AP German Language exam in May.

IB German HL

Students will continue to study authentic materials and perfect their reading, writing, listening, comprehension and speaking skills within the context of broad themes selected from the IB syllabus. A concise review of complex and essential grammar structures and their usage will be combined with exposure to real-world samples and various texts from German literature. Intensive vocabulary acquisition will accompany the latter in order to increase reading comprehension. Continuous ongoing assessment of students’ progress is a feature of the program during this course. Video and audio recordings of student presentations, discussions, debates, and similar activities are required by IB, which monitors the audio recordings as a part of the examination process. IB candidates will be prepared to sit for the externally administered written examinations in May.

IB German SL

The aims of this course are to develop the student’s ability to communicate accurately and effectively in speech and in writing; to develop the ability to understand and respond to the language demands of transactional and social contacts; to provide the student with a sound linguistic base for further study; and to provide the opportunity for enjoyment, creativity and intellectual stimulation. Class is conducted entirely in German. A systematic presentation and review of grammatical structures is built into this course and is applied to the four basic language skills. Students are required to read a variety of texts.