German Christmas Markets 02 Nuremberg | euromaxx

Check out this video from Deutsche Welle at the oldest and most venerable Christmas market of all: at Nuremberg. (in English)

Christmas in Germany - Es Weihnachtet Sehr!

Christmas in Germany is a special time, after all, many of the customs we have today in the United States were brought here by German immigrants. The decorated Christmas tree, for example, or the Christmas hymn "Silent Night" (Stille Nacht). The Christmas market(Weihnachtsmarkt, Christkindelsmarkt)is a particular hallmark of the German Christmas. Watch the video here to find out more about the joys of Christmas in Germany. Also check out the links to the various Christmas markets across the country as well as Christmas customs and traditions and Christmas recipes (right bar).

New for Spring 2011: 5-Unit German 1 Day and Evening and More-Put Your German Language Studies on the Fast Track!

This Spring semester, 2 new 5-unit German 1 courses have been added to the schedule, one during the day, M-F and one during the evening, Tu, Th. Of course, there are other courses to suit your schedule, so check them out. Registration for Spring 2011 classes start on Tuesday, November 23 and classes fill up quickly, so be sure to register as soon as possible! Seriously!

DAY CLASSES:

GERM 1 39869 M-F 09:00-10:00 MUB 271 SCHWARZER
GERM 1A 39968 M-F 09:00-10:00 MUB 271 SCHWARZER***
GERM 1B 39969 M-F 09:00-10:00 MUB 271 SCHWARZER♪♪
GERM 2 35255 TR 11:30-02:00 HC 207 BRUNNER
GERM 2A 34080 TR 11:30-02:00 HC 207 BRUNNER**
GERM 2B 33888 TR 11:30-02:00 HC 207 BRUNNER♪

EVENING CLASSES:

CASTRO/VALENCIA (450 Church St.)
GERM 1A 30973 R 6:30-9:50 EVRT 115 BENHAM♪♪
GERM 2A 36905 T 6:30-9:50 EVRT 115 BENHAM*
GERM 2B 36906 T 6:30-9:50 EVRT 115 BENHAM*
GERM 10B 39971 W 6:00-9:20 EVRT 115 BENHAM***
DOWNTOWN (800 Mission St.)
GERM 1 39967 TR 6:00-8:45 DNTN 720 HOELSCHER
GERM 1B 30975 TR 6:30-8:45 DNTN 720 HOELSCHER♦♦
GERM 3B 39754 M 6:00-9:30 DNTN 725 SCHWARZER
GERM 10A 30038 W 6:00-9:20 DNTN 625 BRUNNER***
GERM 11A 39769 M 6:00-9:30 DNTN 725 SCHWARZER

Halloween auf Deutsch!

Halloween may not be a traditional German celebration, but almost every German youngster knows about it. For adults as well, over the last decade or so Halloween has become increasingly popular in Europe, and particularly in Germany. It is now common to see pumpkin (Kürbis) and jack-o’-lantern decorations in Austria and Germany by mid-October. (read the entire article here).

The Top Ten Mistakes Students Make in Learning German

As you're learning German this semester at CCSF, consider that mistakes are inevitable and that you can always learn from them! Here, then, are the ten top mistakes to look out for. There are the usual suspects: gender, case, word order, Sie vs. du, but also less familiar ones such as punctuation, contractions, and capitalization. Knowledge is power!

Habt Ihr Fragen? Everything You Wanted to Know About Germany, Right Here!

Have you ever wondered about the German political system? Just what is the difference between the Bundestag and the Bundesrat? And how is it that Germany is taking a leading role in adapting climate and energy policies to the reality of global climate change? For these and more questions, there are answers! Check out the "Facts About Germany" website and be informed!

Why Learn German? Here are 7 Good Reasons Why!

Why should you consider German when you are deciding which foreign language to take at City College? Check out these great and compelling reasons from the Goethe Institute and see if you're not convinced! Starting in Spring 2011, 2 five-unit German 1 courses will be offered M-F at the Ocean Campus (days) and at to-be-determined days and times at the Downtown Campus (4th and Mission. Instructors Susanne Hoelscher and Susanne Schwarzer will be teaching these classes. Not quite ready for a full semester of German? Students will also be able to register for these classes as 1A or 1B (3 units). Check the schedule and this blog for more details later in the semester.

Berlin and Beyond Film Festival - October 22-28

This is the 15th year that the Goethe Institute of San Francisco has sponsored the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival. If you are a fan of German film, or just cinema in general, you'll want to browse the offerings for this week-long festival and check out a film or two, or more! The festival is at the magnificent Castro Theater, easily reachable by public transportation. Click here for details.

German Films . . . in Oakland?

For fans of German cinema, there will be two German films from the 1960's shown on Thursday, October 7, from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Oakland Marriot. Admission is free. They are sponsored by the German Studies Association (GSA), which is holding its annual conference here in the Bay Area. Check the Goethe Institute's website for details.

Oktoberfest at the Goethe Institute: Party On the Roof! ! O´zapft is”

Here's your chance to enjoy a Weißwürste, Bretzeln and Bier while listening to DJ Arndt Peltner's rocking German tunes. It's Oktoberfest – “Party on the Roof” with DJ Arndt Peltner from Radio Goethe.

When: Friday, October 1, 2010, from 6pm
Where: Goethe-Institut
530 Bush Street
Roof terrace, 6th floor
San Francisco
Suggested donation: $10 (incl. snacks & beverage)

Here's what the Goethe Institute has to say about this event: On October 1st, 2010, our motto is: “O´zapft is”. Come and celebrate the traditional Bavarian festival in a non-traditional way on the roof terrace of the Goethe-Institut San Francisco. You may want to try some special German delicacies such as Weißwürste, Bretzeln and Bier. But don’t think it is all about tradition: DJ Arndt Peltner from Radio Goethe will play the latest German party hits. Moreover, you will have the chance to try a German Lesson for Beginners. Guests who have never taken a class at the Goethe-Institut are invited to experience a German trial lesson.

Radio D - A Goethe Institute/Deutsche Welle Program for Beginners

What is Radio D? The material is geared towards beginners who have no or very little previous experience with German. Emphasis is placed on listening comprehension and each of the audio episodes is accompanied by a text manuscript. The course was developed in cooperation with the Goethe Institute and covers levels A1 and A2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). There is audio, scripts, exercises and solutions to the exercises, so check it out!

Tutoring for Students of German is Available in R-207 (Learning Assistance Center)

Hallo! New and returning students, are you refreshing your German skills after many years? Could you use some help with learning the material? And what about "der", "die" and "das"? The Learning Assistance Center (across the hall from the Language Center in the Rosenberg Library)has tutor available for students of German. The schedule is limited, so plan your visit. And don't forget: learning a language is fun! Viel Spass!

Wilkommen! Some German Classes Are Still Open!

Greetings, new and returning students of German! There are still some German classes open:

German 1B 73582 R 6:30-9:50 CEV 107
German 2A 76364 T 6:30-9:30 CEV 117
German 2B 76697 T 6:30-9:30 CEV 117
German 10A 73390 T 6:00-9:00 DTN 621

Just go to the class and the instructor will give you an add code. Students taking a German 1A class might consider taking German 10A concurrently. This will reinforce your language study and enhance your speaking skills.

School's Out for Summer - But the Goethe Institute is Open

Throughout the summer, the Goethe Institute will host a variety of events to keep you in touch with the German language and culture. Don't miss the various films from the Berlin School, such as Sleeper, about a doctoral student of Virology asked to spy on a colleague, part of an alleged ‘sleeper’ cell. The film impressively shows how destructive the climate of an uncertain society can be – more so than the danger of Islamic terrorism. (June 9, 6:30 p.m., click here for more details.)

Are you a soccer fan? Then catch the live broadcasts at 11:00 a.m. on June 13th and June 23 when Germany faces off with Australia and Ghana. There's much more, including children's matinees, card games (Doppelkopf) and dance. Viel Spass!

Get on Board the German 3 Train, with Numerous "Stationen" Waiting for You!

Students, have you taken German 2 or 2B recently? Day or evening? Spring 2010 or earlier? Here's your chance to kick those German language skills up a notch with German 3A. "Stationen", the textbook used for this course (and an eventual 3B), focuses on aspects of culture that will intrigue you and facilitate meaningful conversation and writing practice. The numerous authentic texts -- literary, magazine and news articles, interviews, and radio reports -- complement select culture topics while the grammar topics specifically target the needs of the second-year student. You'll also build your vocabulary and enjoy a DVD with videoblogs that highlight the eleven cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland that are the "Stationen" you'll travel to. Click here to go the publisher's companion website to get a sense of what this text is about. You can also download a sample chapter (see left sidebar). So sign up now for Fall 2010!

Who: Susanne Schwarzer will teach the class
When: Monday, 6:00-9:30 from 8/16/10- 12/06/10
Where: Downtown Campus (at Mission and 4th)

German Classes at CCSF - Fall 2010

The Fall 2010 schedule is now available online. Check it out for your next German class. A 3A (intermediate) course will be offered at the Castro Campus on Mondays from 6:30-9:30, while 2A and 2B will be offered Tuesday evenings. Of course, there is a good selection of 1, 1A, and 1B classes as well as 10A and 10D. See the schedule for details and we hope to see you in the Fall!

Deutsch Während der Mittagspause? German Conversation at the Goethe Institute

If you happen to be in Downtown San Francisco on Wednesdays and would like to practice speaking German in a friendly environment, then drop into the Goethe Institute every Wednesday from between 12:30-13:15 and read a German newspaper, talk about German-related topics or just enjoy the Goethe Institute's friendly atmosphere. A native speaker will be there to facilitate the conversation. The Goethe Institute is located at 530 Bush Street, 2nd Floor. 530 Bush Street, 2nd Floor. Other info:

Tel. 415 2638760 info@sanfrancisco.goethe.org www.goethe.de/sanfrancisco

Why Learn German? Here's Why!

Watch and listen to Herr Berndt give you so many reasons to learn German. German has much more in common with English than you'd think. Glauben Sie mir!

Kaffee und Kuchen?

Whether you get together with people for Kaffee und Kuchen, Kaffeetrinken, or a Kaffeeklatsch, you would be following a time-honored tradition in Germany that takes place between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Friends and family get together to enjoy a piece of cake and a hot cup of coffee or tea. You've probably had a Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake), which is a chocolate layer cake filled with whipped cream and Kirschwasser-soaked cherries and decorated with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries. But have you had a slice of "Bienenstich" or "Frankfurter Kranz"? Read more about this delightful German tradition and see if you're inspired to bake something sweet.

Take a Tour of Berlin Without Leaving Home! The Wall, the Nightlife, the Currywurst!

Get a sense of what it was like to live in the divided Berlin. Click here for a taste of a famous Berlin speciality: the currywurst! While you're on the Geobeats site, check out videos on beer gardens, nightlife, and Checkpoint Charlie.

North Face (Nordwand): A German "Bergfilm" Reinvented

North Face (at the Bridge and at the Shattuck Cinemas)
Director: Philipp Stölzl with Benno Fürmann, Johanna Wokalek, Florian Lukas, Simon Schwarz, Georg Friedrich, Ulrich Tukur, Germany, Austria, 2008, DVD, color 121 min, German with English subtitles

Based on a true story, North Face is a suspenseful adventure film about a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936, as Nazi propaganda urges the nation’s alpinists to conquer the Eiger's unclimbed north face, two reluctant German climbers begin their daring ascent. As they prepare at the foot of the mountain, they cross paths with Toni’s childhood love Luise, who is reporting on the first ascent for a Berlin newspaper. Tension rises as personal drama blends with the anticipation of the dangerous feat.

Few people may remember the story of Toni Kurz and Andi Hinterstoisser, but many will find their own reflection in these characters – not only alpinists and nature lovers, but anyone still searching for their path in life. With North Face, director and writer Phillipp Stölzl - known for his music videos for Ramstein and Madonna - reinvents the genre of the “Bergfilm“ (mountain film).

Step into German with Music Videos, Text

If you're interested in music in general and German rock music in particular, then check out "Step into German", featuring videos with clips from groups like die Toten Hosen, die Fantastischen Vier, In Extremo and many others. Since this is put together by the Goethe Institute, you know that there is something educational lurking here, too! Be sure to click on the German and English texts, try the translation quiz, and have some fun with German!

Don't Miss this German film: The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band-Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte)

Director Michael Haneke brings a pre-WWI Protestant German village to life in this powerful film. he action takes place in a German village in the fifteen months that precede World War I. Among the people who live there are a baron, who is a large landowner and a local moral authority, his estate manager, a pastor with his many children, a widowed doctor and a schoolteacher who is thinking of getting married. It is he who, many years later, tells this story. Though everything seems to be quiet and orderly, as it always has been, with the seasons following each other, and good harvests following bad ones, suddenly some strange events start to occur. If some appear to be quite ordinary, even accidental -- a farmer's wife dies falling through rotten floorboards -- others are inexplicable and may well be malevolent. The schoolteacher, whose pupils are growing more and more unruly, and who is considering getting married (it is the only love-story in the film), starts little by little to unravel the mystery.

Why do the children behave in cruel inexplicable ways? The schoolteacher can't say. They are haunted by dark feelings, fears, a desire to revolt, to dominate, to conceal, to be violent. All this is heralding something that will explode fifteen or twenty years later, when this generation has grown up.

Click here for a video clip, read Mick LaSalle's review, then head for the Landmark Theater at the Embarcadero to see this powerful film.