Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Welcome to German 101! I look forward to a great term with you!

Basic information: GER 101 is the first quarter of a three quarter first-year German sequence. Students do not need any previous experience with German.

All course materials (syllabus, required class materials, handouts, lecture recordings , weekly lessons and assignments, as well as your grades will be available in D2L, PCC’s online learning system.

Class modality: GER 101 will be meeting in person every Monday and Wednesday @ 11:00am-12:50pm.  The class is taught in German immersion, so students hear and speak German as much as possible. It's the best proven way to learn a language and become orally proficient--it is also so much fun! 

Each class session includes lots of in-class practice with other students. Attendance at these classes is required, although some flexibility and make-up options are built-in. *Please note: 3 (three) absences are allowed, no questions asked. 4 (four) or more "unexcused" absences will result in an automatic non-passing grade.

As an extra resource and extra help for you, I will post videos of my grammar lectures for you to refer back to after coming to class, should you need more clarification. Students find these videos very helpful, and I know you will, too.

Assignments are posted weekly and always due by the end of the week, on Sunday by midnight. Assignments will consist of vocabulary and grammar exercises, listening comprehension exercises, writing exercises, discussion boards, recordings, and watching the weekly lectures. In class we will be working together, in groups, and with partners, practicing spoken German while learning about German culture, playing games, listening to music -- TONS of fun! :) 

Time commitment: The time commitment for this course consists of 4 hours a week classroom time in person (4 hours per week for a 4-credit course) plus another 3-4 hours a week spent on studying and completing two homework assignments per week (both due on Sunday by midnight).

Textbook requirements:

2. Click  HERE for the course URL--this will take you to our class section on the web platform.

GER 101 will continue as GER 102 in the winter and GER 103 in the spring, allowing you to complete a full year of German this academic year and be ready to start second year GER 201 in the fall of 2026. Please note that GER 201 is offered ONLY in the fall.

Placement: If you have experience with German and are unsure if GER 101 is the right class for you, please email me about taking a placement test. Florence Deutsch at: fdeutsch@pcc.edu

Student Success: 

Students who have taken German classes at PCC really appreciate how we make learning German in immersion accessible and fun and how much they can understand and say even after just one week of classes! I’m happy to report that students attain excellent levels of oral, written, and listening proficiency and are very successful in higher level classes at a 4-year university.  

I am looking forward to meeting you. I will have office hours and tutors will also be available, so rest assured that you will be in good hands. Please email me with any questions (fdeutsch@pcc.edu[opens in new window]) and once you are registered for the class, expect a welcome email from me a few days before the term begins.

            See you in class! 

If you decide to buy ONLY the access code, which includes the ebook, you will need a computer or tablet in class.  

If you decide to also buy the leaf book (at a discounted price, through the same website), that might be easier to use when you study, or even during class.