Primary Resources

 

1. Clark, M. (2005). Oxford-Duden German dictionary : German-English, English-German (3rd ed.). Oxford ;New York: Oxford University Press.

  • This dictionary was designed with German and English advanced level students in mind. The 320,000 definitions have been updated with the latest vocabulary. Includes extensive sections on irregular verbs, forms and phrases for email, text messaging, and telephone etiquette, and explanations on spelling changes since the 1996 reforms. Also includes a helpful CD-ROM with a pronunciation guide, allowing students to type words they have difficulty with and hear them spoken. This source has a slight bias towards British English. However, students can find American forms and spellings for each entry as well.

 

2. Listen, P., & Donato, R. (2005). The Big Yellow Book of German Verbs: 555 fully conjugated verbs. New York: McGraw-Hill.

  • This book presents a huge list of exhaustively conjugated German verbs that will prove a valued resource to the students of this course. The book begins with 37 pages explaining the various tenses used in German before listing the 555 verbs in alphabetical order. The verbs are conjugated into even the rarely used future perfect subjunctive forms. One flaw with the conjugations is the exclusion of the passive voice forms of the verbs, but this is ameliorated by a discussion on how to form the passive voice in the opening sections.

 

3. Schueller, J. (2009). Cinema for German Conversation. Newburyport, MA: Focus Pub./R. Pullins.

  • Schueller presents an innovative and relatable approach to teaching intermediate or advanced level students about German culture while at the same time enhancing conversational skills in the language. Each of its 12 chapters analyzes a different German-language film developed from 2000-2007, with plot synopses, historical background and vocabulary building exercises. There are also sections devoted to activities designed to stimulate discussion on contemporary issues affecting modern Germany. The vocabulary sections at the beginning of each chapter do not include plural forms of nouns. It is recommended that students refer to the Oxford-Duden German dictionary listed above, or the online dictionaries on the Additional Resources page for further clarification.

 

4. Stevenson, P. (1995). The German Language and the Real World: Sociolinguistic, Cultural, and Pragmatic Perspectives on Contemporary German. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

  • This source presents a collection of essays that explore the ways in which the German language has changed in recent times. The introductory essay defines the “real” German language as what is spoken rather than written formally and provides historical context for contemporary developments in the language. Of particular note is the fact that linguists from both the former East and West Germany contributed essays to this work that address the linguistic confrontations that occurred after Germany’s reunification.

 

5. Whittle, R. (2011). Modern German Grammar : A Practical Guide (3rd ed.). London; New York: Routledge

  • This resource provides students with a reference to the fundamental grammatical concepts necessary to attain fluency. The grammar sections are divided into explanations of word order, nouns, verbs and adjectives. Chapters on pronunciation and variations of German dialects will prove particularly useful for students looking to enhance their German speaking skills. The author Ruth Whittle is a lecturer of 19th-20th century German literature, and collaborators John Clapper and Bill Todd are Professors of foreign language pedagogy at the University of Birmingham.