COURSE DESCRIPTION: The objective of the German I is to provide a solid foundation in the pronunciation, vocabulary and structure of the German language. Students will also be introduced to German culture, history and geography. Coursework emphasizes basic skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. In level I, the following topics are introduced: introductions and greetings, school, family, home, food, clothing, simple descriptions, telling time, seasons, months, weather, hobbies, expressing likes/dislikes. In addition, Level I students will learn the geography of Germany, major holidays and some historical events. The benefits of studying German are numerous. By learning a second language, the student gains insight and appreciation of other cultures, gains a better understanding of the English language, and improves academic performance overall.