Deutsch? Na Klar!

2012-01-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

Students, did you know that if you have a previous background in the German language, you may take an "Advisory placement test" to determine which course would be the best for you to enroll in. In addition, based on the result and after consultation with a test advisor,you may sign up to earn extra units based on the previous study. How does this work? For example, if the test and advisor recommend you enroll in German 2, you take that course and upon completion of German 2 with a grade of A or B, City College will award you units for both German 1 and 2 (5 units per course for a total of 10 units).

For details on the placement test and the awarding of additional units, click here.

Christmas in Germany - A Time for Great Celebration

2011-12-07T10:49:00.001-08:00

The Germans (and also the Austrians) practically invented Christmas as we know it, and they are quite devoted to their customs surrounding this holiday, known in German as "Weihnachten". Watch this short video to get a sense of a German Weihnachtsmarkt or Christmas Market, which are held all over Germany at this time of year.

Click here if you'd like to read more about German Christmas customs. Frohes Fest!

German Films on Netflix: Some Recommendations

2011-12-05T14:37:00.001-08:00

Here are a few must-see German films available via streaming and/or on DVD from Netflix. They are in no particular order of importance, but you will not forget these movies!

As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (So weit die Füße tragen) (2003)

After escaping from a Siberian labor camp in the wake of World War II,German soldier Clemens Forell (Bernhard Bettermann) makes his waytoward his wife and children, traveling more than 8,000 miles over thecourse of three long years to reach his final destination. HardyMartins directs this critically acclaimed adaptation of thebest-selling book by Josef Martin Bauer, a true story of survival andcourage.

Das Boot (1981)

Nominated for six Oscars, this edge-of-your-seat dramatic triumphfollows the trials of a German U-boat crew during World War II. Uponits restored re-release in 1997, an hour was added to the originalfilm, which further augmented its impact.

Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)

This German-language 1979 retelling of Bram Stoker's Draculafollows the bloodthirsty, undead count (menacingly played by the late, great KlausKinski) as he takes over the German village of Virna and then tries tospread his bloodsucking ways throughout the world. All that stands inhis path is the lovely, selfless Lucy Harker (Isabelle Adjani).Iconoclastic German director Werner Herzog blends dreamlike imagery anda languid pace to give the film an ethereal milieu.

Run Lola Run (Lola Rennt) (1998)

A thrilling post-MTV roller-coaster ride, Run Lola Run is theinternationally acclaimed sensation about two lovers who have onlyminutes to change the course of their lives -- and time is running out.Lola (Franka Potente) just received a frantic phone call from herboyfriend, Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), who lost a small fortune belongingto his mobster boss. If Lola doesn't replace the money in 20 minutes,Manni will suffer the consequences.

Good Bye, Lenin! (2003)

Alex's (Daniel Brühl) mother (Katrin Sass) falls into a coma just asthe Berlin Wall is about to come down. But when she wakes up eightmonths later, her heart is too weak to withstand shock -- so Alex goesto great lengths to keep the truth about her country's reform a secret.Wolfgang Becker directs this widely praised, Golden Globe-nominatedcomedy set in East Germany in 1989 that played in festivals around theworld.

Madsen is almost here - Save the Date: Thursday, November 10

2011-11-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard or read an earlier post (see below), Madsen, Germany's premier indie rock band, will be playing at CCSF (Wellness Center Amphitheater) on Thursday, November 10 at 12:00 Noon. Since it's lunchtime then, there will be a light German(ish) lunch available: soda, chips and bratwurst ($2.00). Otherwise, it's free so if you're in the area, stop by and see how Germans can really rock!

Language Center Study Sessions: Habt Ihr Fragen?

2011-11-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

The Language Center has scheduled the following dates and times for students to bring in their questions about grammar, Deutsch: Na Klar! content, review and prepare for finals, all per your request. Former German instructor at CCSF, Leslie Pahl, will be facilitating the workshops on most dates; Stan Rappaport will be facilitating them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as scheduled.

Monday, November 7 from 11-12
Wednesday, November 9 from 2-3

Thursday, November 17 from 1:30-2:30

Monday, December 5 from 1-2
Tuesday, December 13 from 1:30-2:30
Friday, December 9 from 10-11

The workshops will be held in the Language Center classroom in R-205E. If you are unsure of the location, just ask at the Language Center Service Counter. Bis dann!

Wer, Wenn Nicht Wir Closes out the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival on 10/26

2011-10-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the last night of the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival in San Francisco, and it is closing at 7:00 p.m. at the Castro Theater with "Wer, Wenn Nicht Wir," which is "based on the emotional true story of an explosive era: In the early 60s, Bernward Vesper and fellow university student Gudrun Ensslin begin a passionate love in the stifling atmosphere of provincial West Germany. Sensitive to the increasing restlessness of the times, the fiery couple lashes out at the conformism and denial around them. After their tumultuous relationship nearly ends due to Bernward’s infidelities, they start a new with a move to West Berlin in 1964. Joining forces with leftist writers and political activists, they become part of the spreading global uprising: “If not us, who; If not now, when?” But discontentment with the world takes its toll on their tumultuous relationship. By the late 60s, Gudrun has joined rebellious Andreas Baader’s pro-violence cause and Bernward risks his sanity by using psychedelic drugs in his struggle to write a novel committed to changing the world…"

If you really want to do something special, attend the closing night party at the Castro, at 9:30 p.m. at the Castro Theatre’s Mezzanine, San Francisco. After the film, celebrate another captivating and vibrant festival with film friends — while meeting guest stars, and savouring culinary delights and signature drinks from San Francisco and beyond! ($40.00 film & party? Priceless!)

Madsen - Germany's No. 1 Indie Band at CCSF

2011-09-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

If you don't already know Madsen, your chance is coming on Thursday, November 10. Yes, Germany's top indie band will be right here on the CCSF campus. The concert tour “Mad About German – Mad About Madsen” is part of a five-week concert tour through the USA. Madsen will travel from Boston via Dallas to San Francisco to promote German language through their music. This campaign is part of the Deutschlandwochen “Do Deutsch”. Students of German and people interested in music will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience up close one of Germany’s top music groups.

For detailed information about Madsen USA tour and their performances in San Francisco go to:

www.goethe.de/stepintogerman

www.goethe.de/todoaleman

You will find MADSEN online at:

www.madsenmusik.de

www.facebook.com/madsenmusik

www.myspace.com/madsenband

The Sounds of German!

2011-09-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

Are you having difficulty with those umlauts? And is the "ch" sound a challenge? Then "The Sounds of Spoken Language/German" website is for you. Here you'll find video clips to accompany an array of various sounds. Since these are categorized under phonetic linguistic terms that might be unfamiliar, look under "Vokale", then "Monophthonge", then "Vorne" and then click on /y/ for examples of the ü (as in müde), /ǿ/ for examples of ö (as in böse), and /e/ for examples of ä (as in spät). And practice, practice, practice! Űbung macht den Meister!

Raise a Glass (or Stein) for Oktoberfest!

2011-09-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's that time again. Even though it's September, it's Oktoberfest, a time for beer and more beer. Oktoberfest: A Quiz to find out more about this important German festival. If you can't get to Deutschland, you can still get a taste of Oktoberfest at the Oktoberfest by the Bay celebration at Pier 48. There will be food, a sizzling oompah band, and, of course, beer. Of course, it will cost you, but the experience will be worth it!

Berlin and Beyond - The Greatest Festival in S.F. for German Films

2011-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Whether you're a student of German interested in seeing films in the German language or a German film fan, be sure to check out some of the offerings coming up at the 16th annual Berlin & Beyond film festival running from October 20-26. More details and a schedule will be posted in the coming weeks. You can also follow the festival on Facebook.

Win a Language Trip to Germany!

2011-09-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here's an exciting contest from the Goethe Institute, and all you have to do is enter with a tongue-twister video, and not even that! Just cast a vote for your favorite video and you'll be entered to win. So, start practicing: Fischer Fritz fischt frische Fische ...

English Grammar for Students of German

2011-09-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the PowerPoint presentation that was given in the Language Center classroom, covering English grammar for Students of German, which has examples in both English and German of important grammar points such as nouns, verbs, subjects, objects, pronouns, articles (both definite and indefnite!), and a few surprises. If you missed this presentation, you can review it in the comfort of your own home. Please don't hesitate to post a question if there is something you do not quite comprehend. Some of the material was taken from "English Grammar for Students of German", 3d edition, by Cecile Zorach and Charlotte Melin. It is available very inexpensively from Halfpricebooks.com

Berlin, Berlin --- The Photography of Antonio Tovar

2011-09-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in Berlin, the great metropolis, (and who isn't?), then do stop in at the Goethe Institute to view the photography of Antonio Tovar and his eye's view of Berlin.

Here's the when and where, and it's free!

August 25 - October 28, 2011
Goethe-Institut Auditorium
530 Bush Street
San Francisco
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm
Free admission

Presentation of Materials for Deutsch: Na Klar!

2011-08-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

If you're just starting out with Deutsch: Na Klar! here at City College, you might not be familiar with the various resources available to you as you learn the joys of the German language! To help you out, the Language Center will have a few presentations of the various resources available. Here is the schedule:

Thursday, September 15 from 2:00-3:00

Friday, September 16 from 10:00-11:00

and

Friday, September 25 from 10:00-11:00

The presentations will be in the Language Center Classroom (R-205E), just check in at the Service Desk (R-205). Students will receive a voucher for one hour of lab credit from the presenter. Alles klar?

English Grammar for Students of German

2011-08-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

There will be three workshops in the Language Center (R-205) presenting basic aspects of English grammar for the student of German. The dates and times:

Friday, September 2 from 10:00-11:00

Friday, September 9 from 10:00-11:00

and

Tuesday, September 13 from 2:00-3:00

The workshops will cover explore basic grammar features such as nouns, pronouns, definite and indefinite articles, verb conjugation, agreement of subject and verb. Students will receive a voucher for one hour lab credit from the presenter. Understanding these concepts in English will facilitate your understanding of German grammar. The workshop will be in R-205E (Language Center classroom), but check in at the Language Center Service Desk.

Willkommen, Studenten!

2011-08-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome back and welcome new students to CCSF and the German language program. Throughout the semester, I'll be posting news of interest to students learning German. So be sure to check this blog once a week or so. Here's something fun for those of you in German 1 or 1A from a language-learning website that has something for everyone. It is based on the Einfuerung to DNK. Try the Scatter game for maximum Spass!

Study these flash cards | Study german flash cards

German Classes - Fall 2011 - Register Now!

2011-05-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Students, whether you are new or returning to CCSF, now is the time to register for Fall 2011 classes. And don't forget to take that German class you've been meaning to sign up for. Do you need a language for a transfer prerequisite? Consider German. And if you started German in the Spring, then take your German skills to the next level with a continuation course. Day courses are offered on the Ocean Campus, while evening courses are offered at the Castro/Valencia Campus (450 Church) and the Downtown Campus (4th and Mission). The Castro/Valencia Campus offers free parking and it is also easily accessible by MUNI, while the Downtown Campus is served by BART and MUNI. The 5th & Mission parking garage is directly across from the downtown campus.

New for Fall 2011: The 6th Edition of Deutsch: Na Klar!

2011-05-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

The German Department at CCSF has adopted the 6th edition of Deutsch: Na Klar! for the Fall 2011 semester. What's new in this edition? Chapters have been updated with new photos and "realia" and DNK6e continues to offer the many varied activities that you might know from the 5th edition. The 6th edition will only be used for German 1/1A, so if you purchased the 5th edition this semester, you will be able to use it for the continuation classes until it is finally phased out.

It's Almost Time for Finals!

2011-05-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here are few quick tips for students preparing for a final in German at CCSF (German 1 and 2).

First: Nur keine Panik!

Second: Use the Deutsch: Na Klar! publisher's website to review the various grammar points covered in each chapter under "Grammatik im Kontext". Consult the "Results Reporter" for each quiz and make of note of which points you need to review.

Third: Review vocabulary here and here in the Activity Pack section; look under Wörter). There are also grammar activities in the Activity Pack section.

Fourth: A tutor is available in the Learning Assistance Center (R-207). View the schedule here. Remember, too, that your instructor is available to answer your questions during posted office hours.

Fifth: Review the "Das Kann Ich Nun" at the end of each chapter. This section will provide you with an outline of what was covered in any given chapter.

Sixth: Sign up for the continuation course, for example, German 1B, if you completed 1A this semester, and so on.

During the summer, take the opportunity to watch German news (online), listen to German-language radio, go to a German restaurant and order in German. The Language Center's language learning and culture links for German has many resources for your to explore. Viel Spass!

Eine Frau in Berlin (A Woman in Berlin) - Now on DVD!

2011-04-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Those familiar with the history of WWII and its aftermath in Germany and, specifically, Berlin, will appreciate "Eine Frau in Berlin", based on the best-selling diaries of an anonymous German woman who survived the Soviet invasion of Berlin at the end of World War II. This gripping drama tells the story of a photojournalist's (Nina Hoss) forbidden relationship with a Soviet officer (Yevgeni Sidikhin). After being sexually assaulted by members of the invading Red Army, she turns to the officer for support, but soon finds herself falling for him. Peripheral characters also fill out this bleak and bitter portrait of Berlin and what the war brought upon the Germans.

Burghardt Klaussner Films at the Goethe Institute - The Edukators and Requiem

2011-04-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

OK, so maybe you haven't heard of Burghardt Klaussner, but he is a renowned actor in his native Germany. You can see his work for yourself on Thursday, April 14, at The Goethe Institute at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. The film "Requiem" will follow on Thursday, April 21st at 7:00 p.m. The actor will be visiting the Goethe Institute with his band “Zum Klaussner” for a concert and talk on Thursday, April 16th.

German Films at the San Francisco International Film Festival - April 26 - May 5

2011-04-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

The annual San Francisco International Film Festival will soon be upon the city, and that means a couple of films from Germany for fans of German cinema to check out. First up, The City Below (Die Stadt unter Uns)is a tense drama set in the upper echelons of Frankfurt’s banking sector.
Click here for details. In Blessed Events, a depressed woman in her 30s, goes out for a night of listless drinking and dancing on New Years Eve, wakes up in a stranger’s car after a one-night-stand and discovers afterwards that she’s pregnant. What happens next? Click here for details. Both of these films are playing at the Kabuki Theaters at Geary and Fillmore. Special support is generously provided by the Goethe-Institut San Francisco and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany–San Francisco.

German Films on Netflix - A Recommendation or Two ... or Three

2011-03-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

If you have a subscription to Netflix, don't miss the foreign language selections. Here are a few recommendations for German films and you can click here to access a more comprehensive list of German films available on Netflix. Just scroll down to "Foreign Regions" and then click on "Germany".

JOHN RABE (2009)

Florian Gallenberger directs this gripping drama about John Rabe (Ulrich Tukur), a German businessman living in Nanking, China, who in 1937 used his Nazi party affiliation to save some 200,000 Chinese civilians from slaughter at the hands of the Japanese army. As Rabe labors to establish an official safety zone to shelter the innocent, he forms an unlikely friendship with an American doctor (Steve Buscemi). Anne Consigny and Daniel Brühl co-star.
Cast: Ulrich Tukur, Steve Buscemi
Director: Florian Gallenberger
Genre: Foreign
Format: DVD and streaming

THE LIVES OF OTHERS (DAS LEBEN DES ANDEREN) (2007)

Set in 1980s East Berlin, director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's debut feature (which earned an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film) provides an exquisitely nuanced portrait of life under the watchful eye of the state police. When a successful playwright and his actress companion become subjects of the Stasi's secret surveillance program, their friends, family -- and even those doing the watching -- find their lives forever changed.
Cast: Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch
Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Genre: Foreign
Format: DVD and Blu-ray

NORTH FACE (NORDWAND) 2008

In 1936, young German climbers Toni Kurz (Benno Fürmann) and Andreas Hinterstoisser (Florian Lukas) face off against a rival Austrian duo in an attempt to be the first team to scale the infamous north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. As the men make the treacherous climb, journalist Luise (Johanna Wokalek) -- Toni's childhood love -- covers the biggest story of her career. Philipp Stölzl helms this drama based on a true story.
Cast: Benno Furmann, Florian Lukas
Director: Philipp Stölzl
Genre: Foreign
Format: DVD and streaming

Max Raabe in Oakland!

2011-03-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

For those of you who aren't familiar with Max Raabe und sein Palast Orchester, here's your chance. They'll be playing at the Paramount Theater in Oakland on Saturday, April 9. Just who is Max Raabe? Briefly, he and his orchestra specialize in recreating the sound of German dance and film music of the 1920s and 1930s, especially by performing songs of the Comedian Harmonists. Founding the Palast Orchester in 1986, his first hit in 1992 was "Kein Schwein ruft mich an" ("Why does no one call me?", a pop song in 1920s' style, and the film Der bewegte Mann (English title: "Maybe, Maybe Not") in 1994. By the way, "Maybe, Maybe Not," is available for viewing in the Language Center. See and hear for yourself and, if it is your "glass of beer", get thee to the Paramount!

Do You Want to Learn Better? Here's How

2011-03-04T09:48:00.001-08:00

Do you think you can't learn German (or any other language?) There's too much der, die and das, and why does German have four cases anyway? And those adjective endings? Um Himmel's Willen! Hilfe! Nur keine Panik! From the BBC come these helpful tips to address typical concerns students have about learning a second language. You can do it! But it's good to have strategies to help you through it.

And Speaking of East Germany - Propaganda Mixed With Limited Commercialism in the Former Volksrepublik

2011-03-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Have fun viewing this commercial for the Warttburg, one of the two types of cars produced in the GDR (German Democratic Republic) The very maligned Trabant, or Trabi, was the other.

And then there was the constant mingling of propaganda with limited consumerism, as the GDR attempted to convince its population that it was as well off as its rich brother to the west.

From the Wild West to Outer Space: East German Genre Films

2011-03-02T11:27:00.001-08:00

Before the Wall came down, East Germany was a world unto itself, but its film industry could travel: to outer space and the Baltic! If you're at all curious about this period in German film, don't miss the upcoming features at the Goethe Institute. Films start at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, March 3, 17th, and 31st.

When We Leave (Die Fremde) Coming to the Bay Area

2011-03-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

What would you sacrifice for your family’s love? Your values? Your freedom? Your independence? German-born Umay flees her oppressive marriage in Istanbul, taking her young son Cem with her. She is hoping to find a better life with her family in Berlin, but her unexpected arrival creates intense conflict. Her family is trapped in their conventions, torn between their love for her and the values of their community.
Director, producer and writer Feo Aladag‘s breathtaking debut When We Leave has won numerous acclaimed film awards and screened last fall in the Bay Area at our film festival Berlin & Beyond. If you missed it then or would like to watch this masterpiece again, When We Leave will be at the two Bay Area Landmark theaters (see below)'.

The film’s running time is 119 minutes; it is not rated. In German and Turkish; fully subtitled in English.
Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema
601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
(415) 267-4893

Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas
2230 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley
+1 (510) 464-5980

Daumenkitzel! There's a New German Bakery/Restaurant in the East Bay that will tickle your palate, so to speak.

2011-02-09T11:40:00.001-08:00

For students of German living in the East Bay-Berkeley/North Oakland area, or those San Franciscans who venture over across the Bay (and there are some of you out there), there's good news. There's a new German bakery/restaurant/Kaffee und Kuchen destination, Gaumenkitzel. With an authentic Northern German-style menu of Fruehstueck, Mittagstisch, Kaffee und Kuchen (from 2:00-4:30), and a light Abendbrot, you can have a taste of Germany right at home.

German Tutoring in the Language Center!

2011-02-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Starting right now there is tutoring in the Language Center. Former CCSF German instructor and Deutsch? Na Klar! blogger, Leslie Pahl, will be available for tutoring on:

Mondays (montags): 11:10-12:00 and Wednesdays (mittwochs): 10:10-11:00

Tutoring usually takes place in the Learning Assistance Center (R-207), but this semester, Leslie Pahl has volunteered to do tutoring, and that takes place over in the Language Center. So just come to the Service Desk and ask for Leslie/Frau Pahl.

Additionally, Stan Rappaport, in the Language Center, will be available on Thursdays (donnerstags) from 1:10-2:00. Both Leslie and Stan can help answer all those questions about German grammar that come up in the classroom or as you are doing your homework.

A student tutor will also be in the Learning Assistance Center. Click here for the complete schedule. We hope to see you soon!

Metropolis (with Newly Discovered Footage) at the Pacific Film Archive

2011-01-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

Set in the year 2026 (and that's coming right up!), Fritz Lang's 1926 masterpiece Metropolis envisions a repressive techno-oligarchy in which soaring Art Deco towers and overhead freeways mock an underclass of techno slaves ruled by a “supertrustee” (Alfred Abel), who lives with his collaborators in the paradisiacal nightclub of Yoshiwara. Lang even posits a virtual woman, an evil doppelganger cloned from the people’s hero and spokeswoman Maria (Brigitte Helm), as another principal force in this exquisite ballet of machines and men. With newly discovered footage found in an archive in Buenos Aires, this remastered version of Metropolis is a must-see for fans of German cinema. Co-presented with the Goethe Institute San Francisco on Saturday, February 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the Pacific Film Institute in Berkeley.

German Christmas Markets 02 Nuremberg | euromaxx

2010-12-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-15T11:38:00.001-08:00

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!

2010-10-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-25T11:44:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-10-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-09-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

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”

2010-09-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-08-30T13:50:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-08-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-21T13:55:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-04-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-04-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-02-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Christmas in Germany - es weihnachtet sehr!

2009-12-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Germany is a very traditional, family celebration. Even in today's consumer-oriented and hectic world-or maybe because of it-the Christmas season is still considered a time for togetherness and simple pleasures. Christmas Eve is the day that final decorations are put on the tree and families gather to share presents. Both December 25 and 26 are official holidays. A favorite pastime for Germans and tourists alike is savoring the winter holiday season at a local Christmas market. The colorful fairs spring up in most towns and cities for the four-week Advent season leading up to Christmas Eve. Click here to find out more about Advent, Christmas markets, and the origins of "Silent Night."

It was 20 Years Ago (today) - November 9, 1989

2009-11-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

Much has changed in the world in the last twenty years and much of that change started with the Fall of the Wall, effectively ending the Cold War. Click here for a slideshow (from MSNBC) following the birth ... and death of the Wall.

Spring 2010 Schedule for German Classes-Day and Evening

2009-10-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here are the day and evening schedules for your next German class. Register now for the course that best fits your schedule. If you've had previous experience with the German language, perhaps in high school or a college-level class taken a while back, take the placement test and discuss the results with the designated instructor to determine which class and level would be best for you.

DAY
OCEAN/PHELAN

GERM 1A 30972 TR 09:30-11:00 ART 308 BRUNNER
GERM 2 35255 TR 11:30-02:00 HC 207 BRUNNER
GERM 2A 34080 TR 11:30-02:00 HC 207 BRUNNER (1/20-4/7)
GERM 2B 33888 TR 11:30-02:00 HC 207 BRUNNER (3/1-5/19)

EVENING

CASTRO/VALENCIA (450 Church St.)
GERM 1A 30973 R 6:30-9:50 EVRT 307 HOELSCHER (1/21-5/13)
GERM 1B 30975 R 6:30-9:50 EVRT 115 BENHAM (1/21/-5/13)
GERM 2A 36905 W 6:30-9:50 EVRT 115 BENHAM (1/20-5/12)
GERM 2B 36906 W 6:30-9:50 EVRT 115 BENHAM (1/20-5/12)
GERM 10A 30981 T 6:30-9:50 EVRT 224 BENHAM (1-19-5/11)
DOWNTOWN (800 Mission St.)
GERM 1A 32983 T 6:00-9:30 DTN 623 SCHWARZER (1/19-5/11)
GERM 10B 38795 M 6:00-9:30 DTN 621 SCHWARZER (1/25-5/17)
GERM 10C A0014 M 6:00-9:30 DTN 621 SCHWARZER (1/25-5/17)

Spring Semester 2010 German Classes. Register Soon!

2009-10-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Are you continuing with your German language studies? (take 1B, 2A, or 2B) Did you have a German class or two in the past and would like to refresh your language skills? (look into 1A or 1B). Is finally taking an introductory German class on your "to do" list? (enroll in 1A) Are you traveling to a German-speaking country in the summer? (German 10A will give you some basic conversational skills.) If any of these apply, then check out a German class at CCSF! Take a placement recommendation test if it has been a while since your last class. Bis bald!

The Fall of the Wall - Film Series at the Goethe Institute: September 1 - December 21, 2009

2009-09-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Fall of the Wall - Film series
Film + Exhibition

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall the Goethe-Institut is presenting a series of films, narrative and documentary features, as well as shorts that portray not only the historical events but also the conditions before and after November 9, 1989.

Films are shown at the Goethe-Institut Auditorium at 530 Bush Street. Upcoming dates are: 9/22, 9.29, 10/6, 10/20, 10/13 and 10/27.

Also check out the following exhibit if you're over in the East Bay:
Icons of a Border Installation
Exhibition November 9 – December 21, Doe Library, UC Berkeley
Opening reception November 9, 5-7pm, Morrison Library

In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall an exhibition of photographs and sounds will take us back to the visible and invisible remnants of the Berlin Wall. Students of the University of Paderborn tracked down with cameras and recording devices deserted watchtowers, barely visible border strips as well as mental traces of “walls in peoples’ minds”. On the other hand, the city has grown more and more together and traces of the wall are ever harder to find. Since 1989 Berlin has changed drastically.

Scandal, Survival in a Brutal Occupied Berlin!

2009-09-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

"A Woman in Berlin" is a harrowing story about the will to survive amid the most brutal conditions imaginable.

It's set during a four-month period in 1945 when Russian soldiers finally occupied the German capital and considered the city's women to be spoils of war. From hospital records, it's been estimated that between 95,000 and 130,000 of Berlin's women were raped that year.

This film, directed by Max Färberböck ("Aimée & Jaguar"), is based on the diary kept by one of those women, who not only decided not to be a victim, but wrote about her experiences in a book that initially scandalized at least some of her countrymen. Starring Nina Hoss, Evgeny Sidikhin, Irm Hermann, Rüdiger Vogler. Directed by Max Färberböck. In German with English subtitles. (Not rated. 131 minutes. At the Presidio and Rialto Cinemas Elmwood.)
For more of this review click here, and watch a trailer for the movie:

Radio Goethe ist hier!

2009-09-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in the latest from the vibrant music scene in Germany? Then check out Radio Goethe and its local station KUSF for music, blogs, videos and more.

The Berlin Wall - Twenty Years After

2009-05-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

The Berlin Wall came down 20 years ago! Beginning June 18, you can see the "Twenty Years Later" exhibit in the CCSF Art Gallery in the Visual Arts building. This photographic exhibit shows the evolution of areas with photos taken in 1989 and then today. The exhibit is presented through the courtesy of the German Consulate in San Francisco. The exhibit can be viewed as follows:

Mondays and Wednesdays from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm

Wir wollen von Euch hoeren! We'd Like to Hear from You!

2009-03-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

Students, how are your German classes going this semester? Do you feel you're able to keep pace with the material, what additions would you like to see to classroom instruction? What could you live without? Please be constructive and respectful, but give us a sense of your experience learning German at CCSF. All comments are moderated.

Willkommen!

2009-03-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

This is the first post on the Deutsch? Na Klar! blog at CCSF. Bookmark this blog and check in regularly to keep up with news about German-language and culture related events in the Bay Area, films, Goethe Institute events, und so weiter. Leslie Pahl and Susanne Schwarzer will be co-bloggers in this enterprise. Students are encouraged to post comments to posts, either in German (versuch es mal!) or English. Check out the word of the day to the right of this post, listen to the Deutsche Welle, or see what the Goethe Institute has to offer.