German

Union is pleased to offer German 111 (taught during the fall semester) and German 112 (taught during the spring semester). The German courses are taught by Betsy Pingen. The courses are designed for beginning German students (although students with previous German experience are invited to take the courses, as well).

Please see the syllabi below for a more detailed description of the courses:

German 111 (Fall 2011)
German 112 (Spring 2012)

A Note from Frau Pingen

I am passionate about what I do. I believe that learning a language is about more than learning grammatical rules and lists of vocabulary words; it is about connecting with a people and a culture. My husband is a native German who came to the United States as a high school exchange student. We met in high school and began dating. He invited me to visit him and his family the summer after graduation. I went but was worried about not knowing German. He assured me that I had nothing to worry about because, in his words, "Everyone can speak English." Sure enough, I got off the plane and learned what his words really meant. "Everyone CAN speak English." If I asked a direct question, they could answer me. If they needed to tell me something urgent, they could tell me. But everything else was in German. They lived their lives in German. They spoke German during every meal. They spoke German when they were planning what we would do that day. They watched TV in German. They read the newspaper in German. The kids played games in German. I was lost and lonely, and I realized that another world existed, a world which I could only access if I learned German. I could survive in Germany with English. I could order food and ask where the restrooms were. But I could not get to know the people. I promised myself that I would not go back until I knew German. I studied hard and utilized every resource I could, and I went back the following Christmas.

I have taught German now for over 7 years, and I strive to make the language personal and real for my students. I use authentic materials, including websites, movies, music, YouTube videos, grocery store flyers, etc. in order to bring as much of the real German world into the classroom as possible. I teach primarily in German to give students as much exposure to conversational German as possible, and I invite students into my home to experience authentic German meals and games. Please contact me if you have any questions about taking German at Union.