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Language courses

All ECLA language courses address the development of skills in reading and listening comprehension, conversation and writing within the context of the European Framework of Languages from level A1 through C2.

Elementary German, French, Spanish I
Emphasis on familiar vocabulary building, listening comprehension and speaking with gradual introduction to grammar and writing skills.
D. DEICHFUß, E. GERELYES, D. PERUCHA

Elementary German, French, Spanish II
Continued emphasis on listening comprehension and routine communication. Students read and write short, simple texts.
D. DEICHFUß, E. GERELYES, D. PERUCHA

Intermediate German, French, Spanish I
Emphasis on communication skills including comprehension of standard speech and descriptive reading passages, topical conversation and simple, descriptive composition.
D. DEICHFUß, E. GERELYES, D. PERUCHA

Intermediate German, French, Spanish II
Continued emphasis on communication skills including comprehension of extended speeches and lectures, reading of newspapers and general periodicals, spontaneous conversational interaction with native speakers and writing clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects.
D. DEICHFUß, E. GERELYES, D. PERUCHA

Advanced German Language, French, Spanish I
Development of listening and reading comprehension levels to include extended speech and some literary texts. Emphasis on conversational and writing skills to express ideas and opinions and present detailed descriptions expressing points of view.
D. DEICHFUß, E. GERELYES, D. PERUCHA

Advanced German Language, French, Spanish II
Development of comprehension skills to allow for understanding of all forms of spoken language and written texts. Emphasis on communication skills for the fluent expression of ideas and argument both orally and in written form.
D. DEICHFUß, E. GERELYES, D. PERUCHA

ECLA typically offers students three levels of language instruction, beginning, intermediate and advanced. Placement tests determine each student's enrolment level.

In the Autumn term 2011, a special language course is being offered at ECLA:

GR101-53 Ancient Greek A1-A2
Sarah Burges-Watson (
s.burgeswatson@ecla.de)

Western philosophy has been described as "a series of footnotes to Plato" (Whitehead). Plato probably took over the term "philosopher" (lover of wisdom) from Pythagoras. Philosophy is but one of the Greeks' gifts to us. Others are democracy ("people power"), the alphabet, Homer, Dionysos, tragedy, comedy, history, Pythagoras' theorem, the Parthenon, the Olympic Games and a mesmerizing world of myth: in short, an endlessly fascinating intellectual landscape which has played an enormously important role in shaping Western civilization. The Greek language itself is intriguing and beautiful. Remarkably we have continuous evidence for Greek from the Linear B tablets found in the Mycenaean palaces (mid-2nd millennium) all the way to the present day. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of Classical Greek. Our textbook, Reading Greek, provides a stimulating introduction to the world of Classical Athens, using simplified but lively texts at the beginning and moving gradually to unadulterated prose and poetry of the Classical period. Students encounter a rich range of vocabulary. Grammar is presented systematically in conjunction with the readings, which offer plenty of opportunity for practicing new constructions and forms.