Short course
German: Beginners Conversation
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
15/04/2027 - 17/06/202716:45 - 18:45
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Enhance your German conversational skills in a range of simple everyday situations with our elementary-level conversation class, designed for learners with a basic foundation in the language.
The course focuses on developing listening and speaking skills, expanding vocabulary, and improving grammar accuracy in basic everyday situations.
Through interactive activities and tasks, multimedia resources, and constructive feedback, you'll refine your language and improve your speaking skills.
Is this the right level course for you?
To benefit from the course learners will have done one of the following:
- Completed our 'German: Beginners' level courses (Part 1 and Part 2); or
- Studied German for two terms or 1 year; or
- Achieved or are near Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages in German.
New students, who have not completed 'Part 1' and 'Part 2', whose proficiency in the language is appropriate for the course level are very welcome.
This course is for complete beginners as well as those who have learnt some expressions and phrases through travel or socialising.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Course starts 15 April 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 4.45-6.45pm.
The weekly schedule below is intended to give an indication of the main topic(s) likely to be covered in each session. Please note that these may sometimes change according to the tutor’s discretion to reflect the interests of course participants.
Week 1: Asking for and providing simple information. Family, work and marital status.
Week 2: Discussing one’s profession, obligations and daily routine.
Week 3: Planning a city trip (bus and train travel).
Week 4: At the hotel (booking and asking for information).
Week 5: Shopping for food. Discussing food and drink. Ordering at the restaurant.
Week 6: Sports and leisure. Invitations and arranging to meet.
Week 7: Explaining ailments and illness (at the pharmacy or the doctor’s).
Week 8: Shopping at the department store (describing clothes/personal style and asking for assistance).
Week 9: Attending a cultural event (planning, small talk and expressing opinions).
Week 10: Special occasions and events. Plans and projects for the future.
Key grammar points
– Simple past vs. present perfect
– Modal verbs (müssen, sollen, dürfen)
– Verbs with a dative object
– Konjunktiv II to express wishes
– Adjectival agreement
Key functions
– Providing personal information
– Requesting information and expressing wishes
– Ordering at a restaurant
– Expressing opinions
– Speaking about future plans
Course aims
To develop and consolidate the everyday German conversational skills of learners with basic proficiency, providing a foundation for further study.
Course objectives
- Improve Pronunciation and intonation to ensure clear communication.
- Enhance learners’ ability to understand spoken language through various activities, such as listening activities, simple scenarios, and guided tasks.
- Encourage learners to participate in simple conversations on everyday topics and gain confidence in speaking.
- Expand vocabulary pertinent to practical everyday contexts and consolidate the application of fundamental grammar structures in spoken language.
- Develop some insights into the culture and etiquette.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to:
- engage in basic conversations and ask and answer simple questions.
- recognise and use key phrases for daily routines.
- construct grammatically correct sentences to provide basic information and express needs.
- demonstrate some basic knowledge of the cultural nuances and etiquette of the language.
Level and demands
This course is pitched at A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Find out more about our language levels.
Teaching methods
Our language courses promote collaborative learning, encouraging peer interaction and real-life activities. You will learn through participating in engaging activities and tasks in the target language. These are likely to include listening activities, guided role-plays, pair- and small group-work conducted in a supportive, friendly and informal learning environment. The course has been structured to help you primarily to develop your speaking and listening skills.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment will be integrated into a range of classroom activities, including guided role‑plays, scenario-based pair and group work, and progressively less structured conversations and tasks. Learners will be encouraged to participate in these activities, using the target language to respond to realistic situations, and will benefit from ongoing tutor feedback to support development.
Ms Paula Eberlin
Paula is a Departmental Tutor in German. She contributes to the Weekly Class programme as well as teaching German and French at the Oxford University Language Centre. She studied at Durham University and previously worked in the City of London before pursuing an academic career. She joins us from Regent’s University, London.
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £315.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Textbooks
No textbook required. All course materials will be provided by the course tutor.
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information
Course Reading:
- A1.2. DaF leicht. Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Erwachsene. Course and Workbook with DVD-ROM / Jentges, Sabine et. al
Module code: O26P552XDW
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.