Courses & program

In this course the skills "speaking and listening" are practiced intensively, but also the skills "reading and writing" are not neglected. At the end of the course, participants will be able to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate importance (e.g. information about the family, work, immediate surroundings). Furthermore, they can communicate in simple, routine situations involving a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and common matters. They are also able to understand short, simple reading texts on concrete topics and they can compose very short, simply structured texts. In the area of grammar, the appropriate content for this level is taught. Songs, communicative games and role plays are used to liven up the lessons.
Another focus of the lessons is on regional studies. Students learn a lot about everyday life in Germany, the educational system, living in Germany, German festivals, etc.

Language requirements: consolidated A1 level

At this level the four skills "speaking, listening, reading and writing" are practiced equally. Participants will be able to understand the main points of a conversation at the end of the course when clear standard language is used and when it is about familiar matters from work, leisure, etc. They can handle most situations encountered when traveling in the language area.
You are able to express yourself simply and coherently on familiar topics and areas of personal interest, such as: recounting experiences and events, describing hopes and goals, giving brief reasons or explanations for plans and opinions.
They can read and understand uncomplicated factual texts and short texts on familiar topics and can also write uncomplicated, coherent texts on familiar topics. In the area of grammar, content appropriate for this level is taught.

Another focus of the lessons is on regional studies. The participants learn a lot about everyday life in Germany, but also about more complex topics such as social commitment, environment and environmental protection, work in the past and today, and others.

Language requirements: consolidated A2 level

In this course the four skills "speaking, listening, reading and writing" are trained equally, with the emphasis on communication and vocabulary work.
The lessons are based on current topics and texts related to the country and are supplemented by songs and short presentations given by the participants on topics of their own choice.
In the area of grammar - based on the previous knowledge of the group - the following topics, for example, are introduced or expanded and practiced: complex subordinate clauses, passive voice, subjunctive I, word formation, and others.

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to understand the main content of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, especially in their own field of specialization. They can communicate spontaneously, so that a normal conversation with native speakers is quite possible without much effort on either side. You have the ability to express yourself clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics, to defend a point of view clearly, to explain the advantages and disadvantages of a topic. In addition, you have the competence to independently compose reading texts based on a good reading vocabulary. Finally, they can compose clear, detailed texts and process information from various sources in a planned manner.

Language requirements: completed B1+ level

In this course the four skills "speaking, listening, reading and writing" are intensively trained. The current topics introduced in class are mainly of a regional nature (newspaper and internet articles, TV reports, podcasts) and are considered in an intercultural comparison. The topics are e.g. society in change, changing values, dialects, media use etc. The students give short presentations on topics of their choice, in the preparation of which they are supported by the lecturer. The focus is on the training of presentation and argumentation skills.
In the area of grammar, a needs analysis is made at the beginning of the course, and only according to the needs of the students, selected grammar areas are repeated and practiced at a high level.

Language requirements: completed B2+ level

In this course, which is offered at two different levels, the central theme, in addition to expanding your knowledge of German, is the study of the country, combined with exercises in speaking skills. The goal is for you to expand your vocabulary, gain confidence in expression, and be able to discuss interesting topics in German. Participants can actively participate in the selection of topics for the course. An important part of the study of the country is also the project work, in which the participants meet interview partners in Eichstätt in small groups to do on-site research on a specific topic. The project work is prepared in class and the results are also presented there.

This course is primarily concerned with expanding personal communicative scope, which is achieved, for example, through short presentations and work in small groups.

Language requirements: Level A2 to C1

The literature seminar of the KU Summer School 2024 deals with the following topic: The adolescent phase of life is a kind of intermediate stage between childhood and adulthood. This phase is of central importance for a person's development: you gradually begin to detach yourself from your parents, have your first experiences with love and sexuality, test social role models and step by step find your own identity. The Coming of Age genre is dedicated to the exciting and vulnerable time of growing up. Using contemporary literary and cinematic examples, we want to explore the phenomenon of adolescence in this year's summer course.

Here is a selection of German-language novels and films:

• Christian Kracht: Faserland (1995)
• Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre: Soloalbum (1999)
• Film adaptation (2003), Benjamin Lebert: Crazy (1999)
• Film adaptation (2000), Charlotte Roche: Feuchtgebiete (2008)
• Film adaptation (2013), Wolfgang Herrndorf: Tschick (2010)
• Film adaptation (2016), Jan-Ole Gerster: Oh Boy (2012)
• Stefanie de Velasco: Tigermilch (2013)
• Film adaptation (2017), Helena Hufnagl: Einmal bitte alles (2017)
• Felix Lobrecht: Sonne und Beton (2017)
• Film adaptation (2023), Leonie Krippendorff: Kokon (2020)
• Benedict Wells: Hard Land (2021)
• Ewald Arenz: Der große Sommer (2021)

You can select up to two workshops:

1. Pronunciation: For all participants who want to improve their pronunciation in an experimental and entertaining way. You will also receive many tips on how to continue practicing yourself.
2. Scenic Game: This workshop will provide you with an artistic break, during which you will slip into a new role for a short time and get to know yourself and your fellow players better.
3. German-language Songs: Whether Neue Deutsche Welle, Krautrock, Indie-Rock, German Schlager, or Rap - join us for a short excursion into the world of German-language music of the last decades.
4. Community Music: Look forward to recharging your batteries while singing and making music together and getting to know Germany from its musical side.

All workshops are held 2 x and 90 minutes each.

1. Field trip to Ingolstadt in the context of 3 lessons: During the field trip to Ingolstadt, the group is first officially welcomed by a representative of the city, and a snack is served in the city hall. Afterwards, a guided tour of the city is organized and in the end, there is still some time left for an individual city stroll.
2. Full day field trip to the UNESCO Wold Heritage Bamberg.