German Language
If a student wants to learn a language that is spoken almost everywhere, study a people who are true leaders in the 21st century, and become familiar with a rich culture that is very closely tied to our own, then they should consider the study of German. German is the most common mother tongue in Europe and is the third most popular World Language taught worldwide. A quarter of all Europeans speak German as their mother tongue, 38% of Europeans can converse in the language, and 68% of all Japanese students learn German, too! That makes sense, since Germany is the largest economy in the European Union and the third largest in the world!
For those interested in business, remember that in 2006 Germany was the world’s largest exporter, selling about $1.16 trillion worth of goods and services. The European Central Bank is headquartered in Frankfurt, more than 1100 companies from German-speaking countries have subsidiaries in the United States and more than 750 US companies are at work in Germany!! Studying German expands career options! German is used in the fields of science, engineering, the arts, math, software production, publishing, and travel! According to the Goethe Institut, approximately 40% of American scientists recommend the study of German. Germans continue to leave their mark in all areas of invention, technology, research and development. The Internet extension .de is the second most common after .com, which means that Germans are the world’s second largest presence on the Web. We can thank German inventors for the printing press, the automobile, the Fahrenheit thermometer, the X-ray, and even the MP3 digital music format.
German is also surprisingly easy to learn. English is a Western Germanic language and the two languages have numerous similarities. Can you understand the following sentences? Mein Bruder ist Karl. Er ist in Kindergarten. Meine Mutter heißt Sara.
German Americans make up the single largest heritage group in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau’s 2000 Census. The traditions which German immigrants brought with them have become an integral part of our American heritage, including the names of many cities and towns. Studying German culture helps our understanding of American culture, too!
German Language I
Course Number: #1955
Credit(s): 1
Open to Grade(s): 9 and 10
German Language II
Course Number: #1956
Credit(s): 1
Open to Grade(s): 9–12
German Language III
Course Number: #1957
Credit(s): 1
Open to Grade(s): 10–12
Advanced Placement German Language
Course Number: #1959
Credit(s): 1
Open to Grade(s): 10–12