Short course
German: Lower Intermediate Conversation
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
15/04/2027 - 17/06/202719:00 - 21:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Join us to take your German conversational skills to the next level.
This course focuses on enhancing listening comprehension and speaking skills, accuracy and fluency to improve your conversational proficiency across various everyday contexts.
Through multimedia resources, activities, engaging discussions, and feedback, you'll refine your grammar, expand your vocabulary and gain more confidence in initiating and maintaining a conversation.
Participants will practice communication skills in simple personal, recreational and public settings.
Is this the right level course for you?
To benefit from the course, participants should have done one of the following:
- Completed our German Lower Intermediate level courses (Part 1 and Part 2); or
- Studied German for approximately two years or achieved a GCSE (Grade A/A*); or
- Achieved or are near A2 Level 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.
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, 7.00-9.00pm.
The weekly course schedule below provides an overview of the main topics likely to be covered in each session. Please note that these may sometimes change at the tutor’s discretion to reflect the interests of course participants.
Week 1: Planning a trip across Germany, Austria and Switzerland (travel planning and booking).
Week 2: Cultural heritage and sightseeing (planning activities and asking for clarification).
Week 3: Talking about sport, activities and games (the German concept of “Vereinsleben”).
Week 4: Online shopping and communication. Expressing wishes.
Week 5: Making a complaint (product purchase, at a restaurant, and at the hairdresser).
Week 6: In the workplace (using the correct register in spoken and written communications at work).
Week 7: Talking about hopes and dreams (career, relationships, family, home, holidays).
Week 8: Resolving everyday problems and rearranging appointments.
Week 9: Digital and print press. Talking about news, events, weather and understanding adverts.
Week 10: Celebrations and festivals (engaging in conversation at parties and events).
Key grammar points
– Adjectival endings (with a definite/indefinite article).
– Genitive case. Using the Dative case in everyday conversation.
– sich wünschen, Konjunktiv II (with sein or haben), würde + Infinitiv.
– Asking indirect questions with a subordinate clause.
– Simple past (regular, irregular and mixed verbs).
Key functions
– Planning activities and asking for clarification
– Outlining problems, asking for assistance and seeking resolution
– Communicating effectively using different registers in the workplace
– Talking about future plans and dreams
– Engaging in small talk in a social setting
Course aims
To develop learners’ conversational skills in everyday situations to communicate ideas and engage in conversations with confidence.
Course objectives
- Consolidate learners’ ability to understand spoken language in varied everyday contexts.
- Encourage learners to use varied and practical vocabulary and grammar structures to express themselves in simple everyday conversations.
- Improve pronunciation and intonation for clear and accurate communication.
- Explore the use of appropriate language in everyday social settings (e.g. formal/informal) and etiquette.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, learners will be better prepared to:
- understand short, clear speech on everyday topics and respond appropriately.
- engage in simple conversations on familiar topics, such as personal information, daily routines, work and leisure activities.
- initiate, maintain and close a short exchange.
Level and demands
This course is pitched at A2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Find out more about our language levels.
Teaching methods
You will learn through practical activities that encourage the use of the target language. Sessions typically integrate meaningful scenarios, pair and small‑group work, and collaborative problem‑solving in a supportive and friendly environment. These tasks bring together speaking, listening, reading, and writing, enabling you to apply the language purposefully in real‑world situations.
The course is designed to build your spoken and listening abilities while deepening your understanding of cultural nuances, etiquette, and everyday usage. We will work with new grammatical structures through meaningful, communicative tasks, and you will continue developing your proficiency both in class and independently through self‑study.
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 pursing 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
- A2.2. DaF leicht. Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Erwachsene. Course and Workbook with DVD-ROM / Jentges, Sabine et. al
Module code: O26P555XDW
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.