The emphasis on spoken language tends to diminish attention to writing. As examples, three currently used German teaching texts are cited. This situation is seen as unfortunate, in view of the importance of writing ability in the most important examinations in German as a foreign language. Some teaching hints are given. (IFS/WGA)

Argues for a progressive method of teaching German attributive adjective endings based on textbook analyses, other techniques, and tasks involved in processing these endings. The progressive method first presents the weak endings and introduces their cases, then presents strong endings as a special form of the der- words. (Author/JL)

Reviews the terminological, methodological, and pedagogical confusion present in the German textbooks of the past 15 years, and proposes an improved terminology for teaching 4 basic grammatical components: strong verbs, mixed verbs, declensions, and the subjunctive. The new terminology is based on the principle of rational simplicity. (21…

Describes and compares five basic German texts for high school students and includes the evaluative criteria used. (CK)

Discusses the use, in courses for adults, of texts whose content stimulates thought concerning the solving of problems - social, political, etc. - because they are of interest to the participants; thus is created an excellent basis for conversation. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Presents an approach to developing a grammatical scope and sequence for elementary and intermediate foreign-language instruction that is different from the standard model, which bases the grammatical syllabus of a textbook on tradition, intuition, or both. The article argues that different descriptions of grammar are needed for each of the skills…

THE CONSTRUCTION, REVISION, AND STANDARDIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL IN GERMAN IS DISCUSSED IN THIS REPORT AFTER CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE METHODS AND GOALS CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF LANGUAGE MATERIAL. THE ROLE OF RESEARCHERS, AUTHORS, PUBLISHERS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING COURSE MATERIAL IS OUTLINED. DESCRIPTIONS ARE…

Illustrates teaching strategies that will counteract the sex-role stereotyping typically present in elementary German language texts. Practical measures that teachers can take to increase student awareness of sex stereotyping in the areas of grammar, lexical items, dialogues, and readings are discussed. (EJS)

Discusses the use of German literature in courses teaching cross-cultural management. The article argues that literature depicting society and culture promotes effective business interaction. It also attempts to clarify the benefits of using literary texts to supplement theoretical texts on international business. (26 references) (Author/CK)

This paper discusses the problems faced by teachers of business German, the possible goals of business German courses, and the design of an effective textbook to integrate business content and language skills. Special reference is made to the two-semester business German course offered by the University of Southern California (USC). The major goal…

This paper discusses the ways in which pictures in current German magazine advertisements can be employed as effective visual aids in basic grammar drills. The structures discussed here are the reflexive verb construction and two aspects of the passive voice construction, namely the passive to indicate activity-as-such and the contrast between the…

Summaries of workshop presentations dealing specifically with practical suggestions for dealing with sexism in instructional materials are presented here. The following topics are discussed: (1) sex bias in beginning texts by A. V. Willeke and R. H. Sanders--a discussion of teaching strategies to counteract sex-role stereotyping arranged under the…

The curriculum guide for German outlines the general and specific objectives and content of the courses to be offered in the Jefferson County (Colorado) public junior and senior high schools. An introductory section describes the district's comprehensive and second language education goals and philosophy, summarizes findings of the President's…

The A-LM German materials are analyzed in terms of their weakness and positive features, and suggestions for their use and adaptation are presented. It is argued that: the basic dialogue is almost unusable; the structure drills are repetitive and often not challenging; the taped arrangement of the listening exercises is awkward; the dialogue…