Given AIS-Salzburg’s location in German-speaking Austria, German language learning is required of all students enrolled in the program at all grade levels. Students can be scheduled into any level of German at the start of each school year as previous knowledge is not a prerequisite of enrollment. German language courses carry full-credit and successful completion of each level is required for promotion and graduation at AIS-Salzburg.
The German department at AIS Salzburg is committed to the education of students from different cultural backgrounds so that they can communicate successfully in the local community of Salzburg and in the larger, German-speaking world. We provide the students not only with the language skills necessary to interact with their community, but also help them to become acquainted with life and culture of the German-speaking countries.
The German language program has 4 levels for non-native speakers and 2 levels of literature for native speakers and highly proficient non-natives. Placement is done according to ability and not only according to age or grade level. The German language program is structured in a way that ranges from the basic level of the language to the AP level, which prepares students for the Advanced Placement examination. The program is organised in a flexible way, depending on the needs and the progress of the student.
German I is an introductory course in German Language skills. Basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading skills will be emphasized in the course. Further, a focus will be placed on learning to speak the language, using daily conversation exercises. By the completion of the course, the students should be able to express simple opinions and develop an appreciation of the German-speaking world and its cultures.
German II is the second part of a college-preparatory course in German language skills. Basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading skills will be further developed following foundational studies completed at the German I level. A continued focus will be placed on learning to speak and utilize the German language in daily conversation. By the conclusion of the course, the students should be able to develop and engage in intermediate German language conversations about everyday life and activities. Further, personal opinions and feelings should also find appropriate linguistic expression in German.
German III is a course which is designed to continue the language studies carried out in German I and German II and to further prepare the students for the German IV/AP German level the following year. The course emphasizes the mastery of more difficult grammar, the improvement of listening and reading comprehension, the expansion of vocabulary, and the improvement of oral and written expression.
The German IV/Advanced-Placement German Language course emphasizes the use of the German language for active communication. Students in the course will develop a strong command of vocabulary and structure, an understanding of spoken German in various conversational situations and the ability to read newspaper and magazine articles, contemporary fiction, and nontechnical writings without the use of a dictionary; and fluency and accuracy in expressing ideas orally and in writing. This course seeks to develop language skills that are useful in themselves and that can be applied to various activities and disciplines rather than being limited to any specific body of subject matter. Extensive practice in the organization and writing of compositions is also emphasized. By the conclusion of this course, students should be fully prepared to sit the AP German Language Examination in May.
German V is an advanced learners’ German course and prepares students for the following year of German Literature. The course will assist students to practice their ability to communicate in German, both orally and in writing. The course offers a review of the grammatical structures and vocabulary of the German language in order to use them in response to a variety of oral and written stimuli. Different aspects of German literature, life, and civilization are treated and discussed in detail.
German Literature is a course based upon two topics of literature and the communicative function of the German language. In a chronological way, the course presents the history of German language literature in combination with examples of the most important works from the 18th to the 20th century. By reading and situating the different works in their historical and social backgrounds, the diversity of influences and developments in literature should be demonstrated and contrasted through the reading of sample works. Further, the communicative functions of language based on practicing written and oral skills represent an important part of the course.