Learn the language that is at the heart of Europe! German is spoken by approximately 117 million people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg and other regions in Europe. It is one of the ten most commonly spoken languages in the world.
It is recommended that all students begin with German 1411, even if they have taken previous courses in German, unless the instructor gives them permission to take a higher level course. Please contact Peggy Little, German Instructor, for any questions you may have about the course content or the level at which you should begin.
Why learn German?
Open the doors to communication:
- German is the native language of 90 million people living in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and much of Switzerland. Worldwide, there are 117 million speakers of German.
- In Dallas itself, numerous activities and social groups provide opportunities for interaction with German speakers on a regular basis.
Open the doors to business:
- German is rapidly replacing English as the preferred second language of people in both Eastern and Western Europe.
- Combining knowledge of German with other marketable skills will enhance your employment prospects.
Open the doors to adventure and personal enrichment:
- Learning to read, write and think in German is quite a thrill in itself!
- Possessing necessary language skills is the first step toward a new life; it gives you the courage and incentive to travel and explore.
- With two years of college-level German, you can participate in many educational programs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Studying abroad not only strengthens your language abilities in whatever field you are pursuing, it also helps you acquire new living skills essential in a fast-paced world where adaptability counts.
Is German difficult?
Learning a new language does require time and concentrated effort. But German and English are closely related and share many words in common. Although the grammar will seem hard at the beginning, German is constructed in such an orderly way that you'll soon be able to predict its rules and patterns. At Richland, our aim is to provide you with all the shortcuts you need to efficiently master the language's difficult aspects while also enjoying the easy ones.
What does Richland offer?
Two consecutive courses (1411 and 1412) which build vocabulary, give a comparative analysis of English and German grammatical structures and help internalize the conceptual skills required for effective oral and written communication. Daytime and evening classes offered in fall, spring and summer. These courses can be taken for credit or through Continuing Education.
Two consecutive courses (2311 and 2312) which provide an intensive review and expansion of grammar and further development of translation skills. Intense vocabulary growth is fostered through readings of increasing difficulty, including actual, unsimplified German texts from various sources and time periods. Afternoon and evening classes offered in fall and spring. These courses can be taken for credit or through Continuing Education.
Advanced German Conversation and Reading
A noncredit class for people who have completed at least two years of German and who wish to pursue or maintain a higher level of reading and speaking skills. Offered through Continuing Education.