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German

What will I learn?

After completing some courses in German, you will be able to:

  • communicate in spoken German at an intermediate level, through developing a facility in sound discrimination, recognition of grammatical and syntactical patterns, correct pronunciation, a working vocabulary, and the use of correct grammatical forms in natural speech.
  • read German at an intermediate level
  • write short themes, letters, descriptions, reports, responses, dialogues, and presentations in intermediate German
  • demonstrate a knowledge of German culture sufficient for carrying on conversation in a variety of content areas and for using appropriate non-verbal communication in support of such conversation

What is the occupational outlook?

A background in German serves as a basis in a variety of areas. Those who earn a bachelor’s degree in German enter the occupational fields of journalism, broadcasting, international business, translation, government service, organizational education, public relations, media studies, and teaching. Those who go on to graduate school enhance their opportunities in those occupational areas, while adding opportunities in linguistics, comparative literature, and German language instruction.

Jobs in German interpretation and translation, in both business and government service, are predicted through 2014 to grow faster than the average for all occupations.1

What are my options?

You can earn credits in German at HCC to transfer as humanities electives to a four year school toward a German major.

Through successful completion of GERM 202, you are able to meet the foreign language requirement in a variety of degree programs.

You can take German courses at HCC to explore the possibilities of connecting German study with another major to enter such career areas as linguistics, comparative literature, journalism, international business, government service, translating in the publishing industry or for businesses, or education.

You can take German courses simply to develop your ability to speak and read in German as cultural and personal enrichment.


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Interpreters and Translators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos175.htm (visited July 9, 2007)