This course is designed for foreign high school graduates preparing to begin vocational training (the „dual system“) in Germany. The focus is on providing the linguistic, professional, and intercultural skills necessary for a successful start in the workplace and vocational school. The course combines general language instruction at the B1/B2 level with targeted training in specialized language for various professional fields.
Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Oral Communication: Communicate clearly and intelligibly with supervisors, colleagues, and customers. They will be able to understand instructions, ask questions, and participate in work meetings.
- Written Communication: Compose professional emails and short reports. They will be able to read and understand work instructions and safety guidelines.
- Specialized Language: Master essential terms and vocabulary from relevant training areas (e.g., skilled trades, technology, healthcare, business).
- Cultural Competence: Develop a fundamental understanding of German work culture, hierarchies, punctuality, and the importance of teamwork.
- Practical Skills: Successfully apply for a vocational training position, write a resume and cover letter, and prepare for a job interview.
Course structure (12 weeks)
The course is divided into thematic modules that build upon one another.
Module 1: Fundamentals and Everyday Life (Weeks 1-3)
- B1 Grammar Review: Sentence structure, verb conjugation, prepositions.
- Everyday Language: Communication for finding housing, dealing with authorities, and in social settings.
- Vocational Fields in Germany: An overview of the dual training system and different career paths.
Module 2: Application and Preparation (Weeks 4-6)
- The Application Portfolio: Creating a professional German resume (Lebenslauf) and cover letter (Anschreiben).
- Interview Preparation: Common questions, role-playing, and exercises on body language.
- Vocational School: The structure and requirements of vocational schools, grading, and evaluation systems.
Module 3: Specialized Language and Professional Life (Weeks 7-10)
- Thematic Units (selected based on group interest):
- Skilled Trades & Technology: Vocabulary for tools, materials, work instructions, and safety regulations.
- Healthcare & Nursing: Communication with patients and colleagues, basic medical terms, and documentation.
- Business & Services: Customer service conversations, sales pitches, and handling complaints.
- Workflows: Describing processes, giving and receiving instructions, and reporting problems.
Module 4: Integration and Practice (Weeks 11-12)
- Work Culture: Discussion of employee expectations, punctuality, teamwork, and communication.
- Role-Playing: Simulated work situations (e.g., customer conversations, team handovers, speaking with a supervisor).
- Final Project: Each participant will create a short presentation about their desired profession or a project from a practical area.
Assessments and grading
The overall grade is composed of the following elements:
- Regular Homework and Vocabulary Quizzes: 20%
- Written Assignments: 30% (e.g., creating an application)
- Oral Exam: 20% (e.g., role-play, interview)
- Final Project / Presentation: 30%
Materials and methods
We use a combination of textbooks, authentic materials, and interactive exercises.
- Textbook: A specific textbook for „German in the Workplace“ (e.g., Menschen im Beruf Pflege or Deutsch für den Beruf).
- Authentic Materials: Job advertisements, technical manuals, videos of everyday work life, etc.
- Methods: Partner and group work, role-playing, discussions, and presentation practice.
