Kino & Konversation: German Through Film

Structurally:

This six-week German-language film course is designed for learners at the A2–B2 level who want to develop their German through the engaging and authentic medium of film. Each week, students will explore a German-language film or selected film scenes while building vocabulary and strengthening their understanding of spoken German. The course will focus on a variety of cinematic styles, themes, and perspectives while providing opportunities to practice listening, speaking, and discussion skills in German.

Functionally:

Students will use film as a springboard for meaningful communication in German. Through guided viewing, vocabulary work, group discussions, and interactive activities, students will learn to describe characters and settings, summarize plots, express opinions, discuss themes, and compare different perspectives. Students will work with authentic spoken German and develop strategies for understanding language in context, including different accents, speech patterns, colloquial expressions, and culturally specific references. The course will also introduce students to aspects of German-speaking culture and society as represented in contemporary and classic cinema.

Objectives:

At the end of the six-week course, students will be able to understand and discuss the main ideas and key details of German-language films and film scenes appropriate to their language level. They will be able to describe characters and events, summarize and interpret film content, express and support their opinions, and participate more confidently in conversations about cultural and social topics. Students will expand their German vocabulary, improve their listening comprehension, and develop greater confidence using German spontaneously in a relaxed and engaging setting.

Course Dates, Location, & Time:

This is an online class that meets on Zoom for 6 weeks on at the GAI. Each class session will combine film viewing with vocabulary activities, guided discussion, and interactive language practice.

Course Materials:

Films and selected film clips will be provided or assigned by the instructor. Students may be asked to watch portions of a film between class sessions in preparation for discussion. Additional vocabulary and learning materials will be provided by the instructor.

Prerequisites:

This course is intended for German learners at approximately the A2–B2 level. Students should be comfortable understanding and communicating in basic German. The course is designed to accommodate a range of proficiency levels, with activities and discussions structured to support both intermediate and upper-intermediate learners.

Minimum Enrollment:

If there are too few students registered to run the class, the Director of Language Education will contact the student(s) in the week prior to the course start date to discuss other class options.

Questions?

Contact our Language Education Department at [email protected].