The acquisition of a new language is an exciting and enriching experience. It is also an investment in your future. Good knowledge of German can give you a head start in the world of:
- International and Constitutional Law
- International Commerce and Economy
- Diplomatic Services and Foreign Affairs
- Science and Technology
- Communication and Journalism
- Translation and Interpreting
- Philosophy and Theology
- Music and Art
- Tourism and Travelling
German is the home language of more than 100 million people and the language spoken the most across borders in Europe. Next to English, German is the language globally used the most on the internet. The German culture is synonymous with influential figures such as Goethe, Kafka, Kant, Hegel, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Freud and Einstein. A knowledge of German broadens your perspective on the world and at the same time provides you with a better understanding of your own society, language and culture.
For students or academics wishing to continue their studies at a university in a German-speaking country, who wish to undertaken research in Germany, a course in German is essential.
The Division German at the UFS offers courses in the German language, culture and literature, from a beginners’ level up to postgraduate level. Students from any field of study are welcome to take German. You can select German as a component of a BA programme, a programme in Media Studies, or in Music. However, German as an optional subject is also valuable in fields of study such as Economic and Business Sciences, Law, Theology, Philosophy, Architecture, Art, Political Science and the Natural Sciences.
No prior knowledge of German is necessary for the beginners’ course (GERB1514 and GERB1524). The emphasis is on the acquisition and development of German language skills in order to be able to use spoken and written German in everyday situations.
In the German language and cultural studies modules (first- to third-year level) a communicative intercultural approach is followed. The courses cover a wide range of topics, including aspects of Business German. German language skills are gradually developed up to an advanced level and n students gain deeper insight into the life, culture and literature of German-speaking countries and their inhabitants.
The German language courses follow the guideline of the 'Common European Framework of Reference for Languages'. Students also get the opportunity to enter for the internationally recognised German language examinations of the Goethe Institut, Zertifikat Deutch (B1) and the Goethe-Prüfungen B2 and C1 in the Division German at the UFS.
(Students from any field of study who are interested are welcome to enrol for the beginners’ course, or for modules from any of the other courses.)
Feel free to contact us (+27 51 401 2242) for enquiries pertaining to German at the University of the Free State.