2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]
German Minor
Requirements for a Minor in German
Minors must take at least 21 credits of German beyond GER 201, including:
- GER 202 - Intermediate German II: Language and Culture (4 credits)
- GER 301 - German Composition (3 credits)
- GER 302 - German Conversation (3 credits)
- Four upper-level courses, only one of which may be GER 341, GER 342, or GER 385. (12 credits)
Elective Courses
In addition to the previously listed information, minors must complete two elective courses at the 300- or 400- level, which may include additional courses in culture, linguistics and literature, or other elective courses.
Requirements for a German PK-12 Education Minor
Students minoring and planning for certification in German are required to complete at least 27 hours beyond the 200-level (GER 202), including:
- GER 301 - German Composition (3 credits)
- GER 302 - German Conversation (3 credits)
- GER 322 - Introduction to German Linguistics (3 credits)
- GER 341 - Advanced German Grammar (3 credits)
- MLL 313 - Foundations of World Language Teaching (1 credit)
- MLL 314 - High-Leverage Practices for World Language Teaching (3 credits)
- One literature course from GER 303/GER 304/GER 401/GER 402 (3 credits)
- One culture course from GER 311/GER 312/GER 315 (3 credits)
- Two additional elective courses from literature, culture, or linguistics (GER 321/GER 421) categories OR GER 342 - Advanced Speaking Strategies and Skills (3 credits)
Oral Proficiency Requirement
It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education and Community Innovation that teacher candidates achieve the advanced low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in German before student teaching. The OPI should be taken right away after returning from a study abroad program. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided each semester.
Study Abroad Requirement
All German PK-12 education minors must complete an approved study abroad program in a German-speaking country of at least of one semester in length. Students who cannot complete this requirement may work with a faculty advisor to complete one of several alternative programs, which may add additional credits. Students who have already spent considerable time abroad, especially in a German-language high school, may be exempt from the requirement. Please discuss your situation with an advisor as early in your program as possible. Note: Per program accreditation requirements, teacher certification coursework in world languages must be at the 300-level or above. Students may need to take up to 16 additional credits (GER 101, GER 102, GER 201 and GER 202) before beginning the 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.