Herzlichst Willkommen!
Learning another language is indispensible for citizenship in the twenty-fist century and prepares each of us to understand and connect to our many cultures.
German is the first language of over 100 million people. It's the official language of Germany, Austria, and much of Switzerland, and is also spoken in several eastern European countries.
German is useful for both business and travel: when you can speak to Germans in their language, you are more than a visitor, you are family. Furthermore, travel all over Europe is easier with German because Germans travel more than any other national group and many countries cater especially to German speakers. Almost 1000 American companies trade with Germany, and over 1000 German-speaking firms have branches in the U.S. Businesses in automotive engineering, optics, medical instrumentation, and chemicals name German as the foreign language most desired from their job applicants. Knowing German language and culture is an asset in government work as well, and the U.S. Intelligence Community places a premium on applicants who speak German.
Germans have greatly influenced and continue to impact many fields including music, science, philosophy, and theology. There are endless uses for a working knowledge of German language and culture.
German and You at WOU
No matter which major you choose, you'll strengthen it by including German.
Here is how German fits into your university program, from meeting graduation requirements to minoring and majoring in a number of fields:
- LACC literature requirement: one German course and/or GL 110
- B.A. foreign language requirement: Get a C- or higher in GL 203. The B.A. is available in every major, including math and science. The B.S. is not.
- Graduate programs: two years of college level German satisfy the foreign language requirement
- B.A. Education Focus at the Early Childhood/Elementery Level: Third Year German (301-303)
- Minor in International Studies: Third Year German (301-303)
- German Minor: Third Year German (301-303) and two more German courses
- B.A. in International Studies: Third Year German and two more German courses
- B.A. in German Studies: take the full series
- B..A. in Teaching German at the Secondary Level: take the full series
Our German Program
We use Berliner Platz 1-3, a stimulating and easily accessible German course. It is designed according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and the European Framework of Reference. The topics prepare students for everyday life in a German-speaking environment and are geared toward students with little or no experience in learning a foreign language. The series is functionally driven, and Level 3 prepares students for the Zertifikat Deutsch, an internationally recognized certificate of accomplishment.
Getting Started
If you've not studied German before, you should start with GL 101 in the fall. The German Placement Test can help students with prior knowledge of German find the right class. The link to the Test is in the menu to the left. For additional help in choosing the right level, please contact us directly, and for more information about studying German at WOU please check the Program Brochure (pdf). Alles Gute!
Dr.
Gudrun Hoobler
Associate Professor of German
Telephone: 503- 838-8715
E-mail: hoobleg@wou.edu
Alexis Smith
Adjunct
Professor of German
Telephone: 503-838-8512
E-mail: [coming soon]
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