German is one of the world’s most vital languages, with Germany, Austria, and Switzerland being top travel destinations, and German literature, philosophy, science, music, and industry being hallmarks of European civilization. Therefore, learning German should be near the top of everyone’s list of foreign languages worth studying. Traditionally, the problem for English speakers has been German grammar, with its wealth of case endings and irregular forms. But grammar always has an internal logic, which an inspired teacher can convey. In Learning German: A Journey through Language and Culture, Professor James Pfrehm of Ithaca College does this with unrivaled skill, humor, and success, making learning German positively fun. Teaching all the skills needed to understand and speak basic German, Professor Pfrehm’s 30 half-hour lessons are perfect preparation for a trip to German-speaking lands, since he focuses on major tourist attractions, along with the vocabulary of daily life and advice on customs that may trip up the unwary. He also recounts a thrilling Brothers Grimm-style fairy tale and performs skits to help you internalize grammatical rules. Each lesson is ingeniously designed to build your fluency and self-confidence. By the end of the course, you’ll be surprised at how much German you know. Accompanying the course is a complete workbook, with text of the listening exercises, translations, vocabulary, explanations of grammar, and tips for further study.
