What key topics should I focus on in a 90-day German language course

For a 90-day German language course, the key topics to focus on can be organized broadly into foundational language skills and practical language use. Here are the essential topics to include:

Basic Language Skills

• Grammar Fundamentals: Basic sentence structure, noun genders, articles (der, die, das), verb conjugations (present tense), cases (nominative, accusative, dative).
• Vocabulary Building: Common everyday words and phrases related to greetings, numbers, family, food, colors, days, and months.
• Pronunciation and Phonetics: German sounds and alphabet, including umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and sharp s (ß).

Core Language Competencies

• Listening Comprehension: Understanding simple spoken German through audio and video materials.
• Speaking Practice: Basic conversational skills including self-introduction, ordering food, asking for directions.
• Reading Comprehension: Simple texts such as dialogues, signs, and short paragraphs.
• Writing Skills: Writing basic sentences, short paragraphs, and personal information.

Intermediate Elements (for gradual progression)

• Advanced Grammar: Past tense (Perfekt), modal verbs, adjective endings, plural forms.
• Expanded Vocabulary: Topics like hobbies, weather, travel, work, and daily routines.
• Cultural Context: Basic knowledge of German-speaking countries, customs, and social etiquette.

Communication and Interaction

• Pragmatic Skills: Using language appropriately in different social situations.
• Interactive Activities: Role-plays, discussions, and online communication exercises to simulate real-life conversations.

This structure aims at developing communicative competence in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) while reinforcing grammar and vocabulary to enable meaningful interaction in German within 90 days. ^{1, 2, 3}

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