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April 2012 Newsletter

Listening comprehension skills are essential to communication and should be practiced and monitored regularly in the language classroom. Click "more" for a selection of audio clips and worksheets from the Langenscheidt catalog.

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: In these three listening activities from our beginning-level textbook series Portfolio Deutsch, students learn how to understand and conduct shopping transactions in a variety of situations. Notice how the vocabulary is first introduced in conjunction with pictures before the listening activity commences, and also how the students are asked to listen to the first audio clip a second time to gather more information and solidify their comprehension. The subsequent clips vary the shopping dialog, in each case giving the students incrementally more difficult tasks, leading finally to an exercise in which students create and act out their own dialog. Click here for the audio material Click here for the textbook excerpt

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: In these activities Mein Schulweg from our beginning textbook geni@l klick, students learn how to understand and give directions. Vocabulary is introduced with a photograph, then students play "robot" with a partner, giving her/him directions. In the listening exercises that follow, three German teenagers describe their route to school. The students must identify each on the map that is provided in the text. The students are then asked to work with a partner and describe how to get from point A to point B using the same map. A box with useful phrases and vocabulary is provided. The second audio clip is used as a control, so that students can compare their directions with those given by native speakers. Click here for the audio material Click here for the textbook excerpt

		Suited for 2^nd Year and up: This radio broadcast "Girls Day" from Portfolio Deutsch Level 2 addresses the topic of gender differences in the context of occupations, a subject that is sure to get your students talking! Once again, pictures introduce the topic with questions to help orient the students and get them thinking about the issues. Exercise A introduces vocabulary and serves as a simple comprehension test. Exercise B, importantly, has the students listen to the broadcast a second time to complete the sentences and put them in the correct order. The last two listening exercises focus on the "Satzmelodie", helping to make students aware of natural rhythms and cadences in the language. Click here for the audio material Click here for the textbook excerpt

		Suited for the 2^nd/3^rd Year and up: Almost all of the many Langenscheidt readers are available with audio narrations of the text, which are excellent for developing listening skills. In this newest series, Leo & Co., the narration includes dialog with supplemental information not found in the written text, thus integrating both listening and reading comprehension. Exercises at the back of the book accompany each of these supplemental audio sections. In Der Jaguar an expensive car is stolen from the auto repair shop. Who is the thief? Experience the first chapter! Click here for the audio material Click here for the book excerpt

		Suited for 4^th/5^thYear and AP: In this radio interview from our intermediate-level textbook Aspekte, students listen to professor Weinberger articulate, in moderately difficult academese, the results of his research on the topic of Glück. Students are given a set of true/false statements to respond to, and after a second listening, they must complete a table that lists the "happiest" countries. Note that it is not a goal of this exercise for students to understand every single word of the interview, but instead to glean the information they are looking for. This activity ends with a group discussion on the topic. Students are given phrases (Redemittel) to help them express their opinions, disagreements and doubts. Click here for the audio material Click here for the textbook excerpt

Writing

Writing is generally the slowest of the four skills to develop. However, this does not mean that it should be neglected, even in the earliest stages of language learning. Click "more" to see excerpts from our textbook series that focus on developing writing skills.

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: In the introductory video segment below from the new genial klick DVD, students form a video group—"Die Medien-AG"—and start producing video clips, first introducing themselves, then interviewing others, including their teacher. The various scenarios in the video are designed to encourage students to write scripts and produce their own similar videos: describing my bedroom, the route I take to school, making plans with a friend on the phone, asking parents' permission to attend a concert, a portrait of my school, a scene at a birthday party. Short comprehension exercises accompany each segment and also serve to introduce useful vocabulary. Click here for the accompaying video trainer worksheet. To the title.

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: In this excerpt from our beginning textbook series Portfolio Deutsch students answer several true/false statements about three Internet texts in a "Fan-Forum". They are then given some vocabulary guidance and asked to write their own short blog expressing their feelings about a favorite musician or sports star. The blogs are posted, and then students must select one and respond in writing. Click here for the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 2^nd Year and up: In this exercise from Portfolio Deutsch Level 2, students learn how to write an informational text, while at the same time learning large numbers and practicing adjective endings in the dative. An example text is given describing Berlin, with comprehension exercises following. Students are then asked to gather information on their favorite city and write a short text designed for tourists to that city. Click here for the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 3^rd Year and up: In this excerpt from geni@l students read, listen to and compare five different poems on the topic of weather and the seasons. At the end, they are encouraged to write their own poems. Writing flows seamlessly from the preceding activities of reading, listening, reciting and discussing. Click here for the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 4^th/5^thYear and AP: In this exercise from our intermediate-level textbook Aspekte students describe and discuss different kinds of movies and which they prefer. They are given a film review to read as well as some key vocabulary and phrases and then asked to write their own review of a favorite movie. Click here for the excerpt. To the title.

New Forms of Communication

Texting, chat and e-mail are part of our students' everyday lives along with the computers and cell phones that have brought these forms of communication into existence. Working with these in the classroom makes language instruction more relevant and motivates your students.

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: Abbreviations are part and parcel of the world of texting! Listen to the audio clip and read the texts from this exercise in geni@l klick to find out who is coming to the party. Your students are then also invited to the party and must write an SMS message using some of the abbreviations common when texting in German, as supplied in the table accompanying the exercise. Who is coming to the party? Click here for the audio clip. Download the textbook excerpt.

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: In the video clip below from the brand new genial klick DVD, Caro makes plans with Karim via texting and a cell phone conversation. In the next sequence she loses her dog Ginger and uses her phone to report to her mother. The accompanying worksheet trains the students both to watch and listen carefully to the events as they unfold. The last section of the worksheet "Lernen lernen" helps the students to reflect on the learning process and adopt good study habits. Click here for the accompanying worksheet.

		Suited for the 1^st Year and up: In this test exercise from our beginning textbook series Portfolio Deutsch, students read and analyze an e-mail, which they must then respond to. Questions guide the students, helping them to analyze the e-mail and create a good response, thus becoming better test takers. Click here for the textbook excerpt.

		Suited for 2^nd Year and up: In this exercise from Portfolio Deutsch Level 2, students listen to a telephone conversation and determine which one of the three IMs Nadja wrote. Common texting abbreviations in German are included to help the students--and teachers!--understand this new form. In part b of the exercise, students listen to the conversation again and must decide which of two statements is correct. Click here to listen to the audio clip. Click here for the textbook excerpt.

		Suited for 3^rd Year and up: In the chapter "Natur und Umwelt" of our Landeskunde text Entdeckungsreise D-A-CH, students read and discuss various blog entries on the topic of "Gefühlte Temperatur". They are then given a Suchwort and asked to do Internet research as to whether there might be any biological reasons for the Forumbeitrag assertion that women get cold more easily than men do. Also an excellent exercise for AP students exploring the theme of Science and Technology! Click here for the excerpt.

		Suited for 4^th/5^thYear and AP: Perfect for Valentine's Day, this magazine text from our intermediate-level textbook Aspekte discusses the pros and cons of searching for a partner on the Internet. Class discussion questions follow, along with exercises that teach students how to write a formal letter to the editor. Click here for the textbook excerpt.

Holiday Cross-Cultural Activities

The Christmas holiday provides a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural comparisons between the United States and the German-speaking countries. In this month's newsletter, you will find excerpts from our Langenscheidt offerings for use in your classroom this holiday season.

		Suited for the 2^nd Year and up: In this fun exercise from our beginning textbook series Portfolio Deutsch—the Lieblingsding—students select from the list of objects and guess to whom they belong, leading to a writing exercise on the topic of favorite things in general. A good warm-up activity before asking students what they want for Christmas! Click here for the accompanying audio material. Download the excerpt from the textbook. To the series.

		Suited for the 3^rd Year and up: These Christmas exercises from the Leo & Co. Easy Reader Series story Stille Nacht are drawn from the extensive Landeskunde section, which accompanies each story in the series, providing useful and informative background information. Each story is also accompanied by an audio CD with a dramatized narration of the story. Be sure to listen to the last chapter of the story with a description of a festive Christmas dinner and the first verse of "O Tannenbaum" as sung by the guests! Click here for the audio material. Download the exercises. To the title.

		Suited for the 3^rd Year and up: In these short texts and exercises students learn about various Christmas traditions in the German-speaking world: the Adventskalender, Adventskranz, Nikolaus and the Christkindlmarkt. In this exercise, students are asked to sort out the ingredients for two recipes—one for Kokosmakronen and the other for a non-alcoholic Punsch—after reading the instructions for each. The section concludes with a project to design and make an advent calendar based on the tips from a German website. Download the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 4^th Year and up: "Man soll die Feste feiern..." In this section from Langenscheidt's ancillary text Grammatik im Gespräch, students simultaneously talk about the holidays and practice the infinitive construction with zu. This book is ideal for extra practice for intermediate-level students and for AP teachers looking to integrate content with relevant grammar points. Download the excerpt. To the title.

		This monolingual dictionary, designed for intermediate-level students with simple definitions in German, also contains numerous illustrations, setting it apart from dictionaries which can be found online. With approximately 66,000 definitions and phrases as well as more than 30,000 examples, extensive grammar explanations and tips for correct usage, this dictionary—which comes with the CD-ROM—is a bargain at any price, and for a limited time is on sale for just $49.95! Add a licensing agreement and upload it to your school server for an inexpensive alternative to online dictionaries—and this one comes with the trusted Langenscheidt name! View screen shots of the CD-ROM version. To the title.

Language Learning through Reading

All foreign language teachers can attest to the fundamental importance reading plays in learning a language. Finding just the right reader can be a challenge. Langenscheidt's readers make it easy on the teacher. Click "more" for excerpts from each of our five separate series.

		Suited for 2^nd year and up: Introducing strategies for reading at the earliest stages of language learning can make a huge difference. This section of our textbook series Portfolio Deutsch compares reading with putting together pieces of a puzzle and includes several short texts with exercises. Download the excerpt. To the series.

		Suited for the 1^st year and up: These TPRS stories were designed to foster reading at the earliest level. Students learn German with the cartoon rat character Turbo from geni@l who meets Olli, Jessica, Moon and Einstein from Langenscheidt's Early Reader Series *Klara & Theo. In this excerpt, Turbo goes to the social networking site rattensingles.com* to find a girlfriend. Download the excerpt. To the series.

		Suited for 2^nd year and up: Part of Langenscheidt's Early Reading Program, the Klara & Theo readers feature the German high school students Einstein, Olli, Jessica, and Moon as well as their favorite teacher Dr. Schmidt, all of whom the students got to know during the first year TPRS reading program (see above). In this episode, Olli appears on TV in a musical talent contest as Germany's newest idol! All books come with illustrations and comprehension exercises and are available with or without a mini-CD with a narration of the text. Download the excerpt. To the series.

		Suited for 2^nd year and up: These detective stories all feature the private eye Helmut Müller and his secretary Bea Braun who encounter various mysteries and crimes in Germany. In this volume the two are called upon to find the missing rock singer Udo Buchental. These graded readers also include an appendix with an exercise section and cultural notes to help the students understand the content, and most are available with a narration on mini-CD. Download the excerpt. To the series.

		Suited for 3^rd year and up: The characters in this series all meet at Leo's restaurant, where friendships are formed, secrets shared and heartaches mended. In this episode, Klaus finds himself on the top of a mountain in the Alps with Leo when he learns that his very expensive Jaguar has been stolen. What to do? This series features numerous color illustrations throughout as well as an extended appendix with varied comprehension exercises—including audio—and background cultural information. Download the excerpt. To the series.

		Suited for the 3^rd year and up: The characters in these readers are drawn from our Berliner Platz NEU textbook series, but the readers can be used independently as well. Very similar in design to the Leo & Co. series, with comprehension exercises to accompany each chapter and a mini-CD narration included, these readers are also available with visual material that can be purchased separately. Watch the video clip below and read in the sample excerpt about friends helping Felice move into a new apartment, demonstrating in context the use of two-way prepositions as they try to figure out where to place the new sofa. Download the excerpt. To the series.

		Suited for 4^th year and up: Developed by the Goethe Institut for high school students in German IV/V, these readers feature various stories written for teenagers by different authors. In the humorously told story Johnny schweigt—perfect for preparing students for a GAPP exhange—the English exchange student Johnny goes to Germany to learn German but simply won't talk at all! Teacher's manuals are also available for this series. Download the excerpt. To the series.

Planning for an absence

What to do when you have a substitute teacher taking over your class? Whether your absence is planned in advance or last minute, it's always a good idea to have materials at the ready.

		Suited for the 1^st year and up: Wechselspiel NEU features partner activities in which students exchange information on various topics practicing different aspects of grammar. Students work in pairs, one using sheet A, the other sheet B, in this case to find out what each character is doing at different times of the day. Designed to be photocopied and priced at $48.75, this popular ancillary text—now updated—is affordable as well as useful in the clasroom. Download the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 1^st year and up: With textbook and workbook instructions in English and an instructor's manual with English annotations and answer keys, our new textbook series Portfolio Deutsch is particularly user-friendly, even for substitute teachers with limited knowledge of German. Here students explore the topic of hobbies by way of various exercises. This substantial 286-page text is only $64.95. Download the excerpts. To the series.

		Suited for 1^st year and up: This very inexpensive 48-page Landeskunde booklet—also with instructions in English—is full of current cultural information on the three German-speaking countries with color worksheets for the students to complete. In this interview with Livia, students fill in the blanks with the correct word, then summarize what they have learned. At only $10.95 each, it is inexpensive enough to have a class set always ready to go. Two additional volumes are also available for more advanced students. Download the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 2^nd year and up: Three booklets (A1, A2, B1) with grammatical exercises that can be used independent of any textbook to help students gain extra practice. In this excerpt, students practice the verbs sein and haben in two different contexts. With an answer key in the back, students can self-monitor and check their answers when you are away. Each volume for $19.50. Download the excerpt. To the title.

		Suited for 3^rd year and up: The second in our Landeskunde DVD series, Land & Leute D-A-CH features 12 short clips from German TV on various cultural topics with color worksheets for students to fill out as they watch. In the clip below, students are exposed to a little Swiss German while learning about an alpine hut on the Matterhorn. Download the worksheet. To the title.

		Suited for the 3^rd year and up: Our new supplementary Landeskunde text features a wealth of up-to-date information on the three German-speaking countries as well as extensive partner and group activities. Throughout the book are creative projects and Internet research activities that students can work on independently when you are away. In this excerpt, students read about Berlin museums and are then given the assignment to come up with their own Heimatmuseum. Themes include: Geografie, Tourismus, Essen und Trinken, Feste und Feiern, Kultur und Wissenschaft, Natur und Umwelt, Geschichte und Politik. 144 pages for $32.50. Download the excerpt. To the title.

Travel and Culture

Click "more" to see a selection of excerpts from Langenscheidt's textbooks and ancillary materials on the topic of travel and culture.

Reading material for the 1^st and 2^nd years: The geni@l Ferienhefte feature readings, puzzles, games, and vocabulary exercises for beginners, designed to help students keep up their German skills. Each of the 2 volumes includes a mini-CD with audio material to accompany the exercises. Download the excerpt. To the title.

Suited for 2^nd year and up: This 2-page spread from our textbook Portfolio Deutsch, Level 2, features a map of the Rhine River with the various castles as well as drawings illustrating the Loreley myth. Students describe what they see in the pictures, then listen to the first part of the story. Working in groups, they write the story to its conclusion, after which they listen to the end of the story and decide which ending they like best. The exercise concludes with an Internet project to research and report on what can be seen at the Loreley cliff today. Click here for the audio material. Download the excerpt. To the title.

A video clip from our new Land & Leute D-A-CH Landeskunde DVD casts a spotlight on the Loreley myth and tourism in the Rhine valley, touching on issues of cultural stereotypes. The accompanying worksheet, which works with vocabulary and tests comprehension, can be printed out from the DVD.

Download the worksheet. To the title.

Suited for 3^rd year and up: A bicycle tour on the Danube features prominently in the story Leichte Beute from Langenscheidt's easy reader series, Leo & Co. In this excerpt from the extensive Landeskunde section following the story, students are asked to research the Danube River valley from Passau to Vienna. In the second exercise students are introduced to the “unique” Viennese mentality. Download the excerpt. To the title.

Suited for the 4^th/5^th year and AP: These two sections from our new Landeskunde text Entdeckungsreise D-A-CH focus on the Romantische Straße and the Deutsche Märchen Straße, respectively. Texts, photos, vocabulary exercises, comprehension and discussion questions, intercultural comparisons, writing exercises and research activities all help to provide a solid understanding of the subject. Download the excerpt.To the title.

Suited for 4^th/5^th year and AP: In this excerpt from our textbook Aspekte, Level 1, students take a quiz to learn what kind of traveler they are by selecting the statement in each section that most accurately describes their own personal travel style. Points are assigned for each and then tallied at the end to give them their result. Download the excerpt. To the title.

Outdoor Activities

Have a look at some of the popular outdoor activities such as the new sport of Parkour featured in our Langenscheidt textbooks and ancillary materials.

Suited for 1^st year and up: In these exercises from Portfolio Deutsch Level 1, beginning students learn to talk about various outdoor activities, first introduced via pictures, followed by dramatized dialogs that they listen to several times while completing comprehension exercises. In this context the modal verb structure is introduced and practiced, culminating in a creative exercise in which the students are asked to complete a poem on the topic using the new structure. Click here for the audio material. Download the excerpt. To the title.

Suited for 2^nd year and up: In these two exercises from Portfolio Deutsch Level 2, second-year students return to the theme of outdoor activities, first by way of a text and comprehension questions on the new new sport of parkour, followed by a personalized exercise in which students are asked to talk and write about their passions using subordinating conjunctions and dependent clauses along with further practice in the "My Portfolio" section. Download the excerpts. To the title.

Suited for 4^th/5^th year and AP: A video clip from the DVD to our textbook series Aspekte explores the new sport of parkour, giving information on its origins and interviewing participants who are also shown engaging in it. The accompanying worksheet begins with pre-viewing questions and activities to help draw the students in, followed by comprehension exercises and personalized discussion questions requiring the subjunctive.Download the worksheets. To the title.

Suited for 3^rd year and up: A soccer tournament in Berlin between Spain and Germany is at the center of this story Große Gefühle from our new easy reader series Leo & Co.. An extensive Landeskunde section follows at the end of each of the books, providing useful and informative background cultural information. In this example, important monuments in the city of Berlin, regional food specialties (Currywurst) and the history and significance of soccer in German culture are discussed and explored via texts, discussion questions and research activities. Each book in this series is accompanied by an audio CD with a dramatized narration of the story. Download the excerpt. To the title.

Suited for the 4^th/5^th year and AP: In this section from our brand-new Landeskunde text Entdeckungsreise D-A-CH students read about a canoe tour on the lakes of Mecklenburg and answer comprehension questions. Assisted by prompts, they then either write a diary entry or plan their own canoe tour. Color pictures of the landscape provide a visual context, while relevant vocabulary words with definitions help the students with the exercise. Download the excerpt. To the title.

The Fifth Season

Karneval, Fasching, Fastnacht, Mardi Gras—whatever the regional term, this celebration is one of dressing up, partying and having a fun time. Click on "more" to find some excerpts relating to Karneval from our Langenscheidt catalogue.

Suited for 1^st year and up: Dressing up is part and parcel of Karneval! In this exercise from our beginning textbook series geni@l, students learn/review the vocabulary for clothing and colors and then make their own collages as in the examples. Who can come up with the best outfit for Karneval? With more advanced students, the exercise can be used to practice adjective endings in the accusative case.Download the excerpt. To the title.
Suited for 2^nd year and up: In this partner exercise from Wechselspiel Junior, students work in pairs, one using sheet A, the other sheet B, to exchange information about how the various characters are dressing up for Karneval. This popular ancillary text, full of other similar partner activities, is available in two volumes and is designed to be photocopied.Download the worksheets. To the title.
Suited for 3^rd year and up: The video clip below from our popular Landeskunde DVD Bilderbogen D-A-CH focuses on the pastry that is traditionally enjoyed during the Karneval season. The clip opens with some wonderful scenes of Karneval in Germany and then documents the large-scale automated production of this favorite seasonal treat. The accompanying worksheets, which are printed from the DVD, test comprehension.Download the worksheets. To the title.

Suited for 3^rd year and up: In the story Elvis in Köln from our Easy Reader Series Felix & Theo, the detective Helmut Müller and his secretary Bea Braun are invited by their old friend Alfred to a masked costume party during Karneval in Cologne. Read the first chapter of the story and have your students speculate in pairs about how the plot develops. This text is available with a mini-CD with and audio narration of the story.Download the excerpt. To the title.
Suited for the 4^th/5^th year and AP: These readings and exercises from our brand-new Landeskunde text Entdeckungsreise D-A-CH compare and contrast various folk festivals in the German-speaking countries. Comprehension exercises, small group activities, vocabulary activities, writing and research assignments help the students to engage with and master the material.Download the worksheets. To the title.

Love and Romance

Valentine's Day and the attendant themes of love and romance provide a wonderful opportunity to spice up a classroom full of teenagers. On this topic we have assembled some excerpts below for you to use in your classroom during this amorous time of the year.

Humor

Cross-cultural humor can be tricky, but it is a great way to get students talking if done right. Use these easy-to-understand cartoons and exercises as a springboard.

Holidays and Festivities

During the four weeks leading up to Christmas, Advent is celebrated in the German-speaking countries with a variety of different traditions. In the spirit of the season, we have selected excerpts from Langenscheidt's newest materials.

Thanksgiving/Erntedankfest

Harvest festivals are celebrated in the German-speaking countries, too. Use the worksheets and excerpts below as you compare and contrast Thanksgiving and Erntedankfest and similar family celebrations with your students.

German-American Day

October 6th is German-American Day, celebrating the date in 1683 when the first German settlers arrived in Philadelphia from Krefeld and subsequently founded Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Use the excerpts and worksheets below to explore the topic with your students.

Vacation

At the beginning of the school year, students are excited to tell about their summer vacation.
Have a look at these useful excerpts and worksheets on the topic of vacation and travel.

Download these thematic worksheets for your German Lesson. All material was taken out of textbooks and other supplementary materials of Langenscheidt.

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