Online German Courses and Classes Review

Most online German classes are available independently for students' personal study purposes. However, several colleges and universities offer German to meet undergraduate or graduate degree foreign language requirements. Most websites and schools that offer German online have classes at all language proficiency levels.

Overview of Online German Courses

Students looking to learn German online can find classes through distance learning divisions of schools. Some international and non-academic affiliated websites also have German classes. Online German language classes are available at the beginner, advanced and intermediate levels. In addition to basic grammar and pronunciation, students can learn about German culture and history as it relates to the language. Some online programs offer a certificate of completion, but students can also take these classes for credit.
If pursuing a degree, students may have the option of taking a minor in German online while fulfilling a major on campus. Those completing online German courses for personal use or academic requirements may continue academic studies in German or find jobs in German-speaking establishments both in the U.S. and abroad.

Course Requirements

In order to begin taking German language courses online, students will need a computer with an Internet connection and adequate audio speakers to listen the lessons. Some online courses or programs also require an external microphone to complete speaking assignments. Students generally interact with each other and the instructor through a course management system that has chat and e-mail capabilities.

List of Online German Courses

Beginning German Language Course

With emphasis on basic sentence structure, verb tenses and pronunciation skills, this class is the first offered in most online programs. Students are introduced to the German language through texts and audio files. Coursework includes weekly assignments and quizzes that are either self-graded or graded by the instructor.

Advanced German Language Course

This class is designed for students who already have basic German language skills. Topics include composition, reading, sophisticated conversation skills and essay writing. Light contextual information, such as German history, economy and politics may also be covered. Students will rely heavily on textbook material and graded assignments.

German Culture Course

Students in this online German class learn about current trends in the arts and cultures of modern German society. Meant for students with advanced language skills, this class is commonly taught in German. Topics vary but may include media analysis, movie critiques and art history. Students will need additional movie-streaming software to participate in the class.

German Literature Course

Typically taught in German, this is another class available to advanced German language students. Coursework focuses on period-specific literature and includes extensive German reading, textual analysis and German literary history. Students participate in discussions of reading material through online chat rooms with other students and the instructor.