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General Information about Our Adult Courses
Click here to register and pay for all adult courses
In Houston classes are held at the LCI Building, 3618 Mt Vernon (corner of Mt Vernon and Marshal Streets), Houston, TX 77006. Classes in Rosenberg are at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1513 West Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471, and in The Woodlands at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, 7550 Crownridge Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77382.
Most classes for adults are on Mondays and Wednesdays; the exceptions are the Intensive Course in the summer, which takes place five evenings a week, and our special classes on Tuesday evenings. Morning classes are from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., evening classes from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Classes in Rosenberg and The Woodlands are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We teach all levels of proficiency, corresponding to the Goethe-Institut designations: A1.1 – A1.2 – A2/B1 – B1/B2 – B2/C1 – C1/C2. The objectives and contents of these courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
We use the instruction material used by Goethe-Instituts world-wide. Course materials will be made available on the first day of class; the cost is approximately $50 ($25 for a course book and $25 for a work book), if you do not have one from a prior class. Unfortunately, the books are not available on Amazon or any other internet site. Materials for the children’s classes will be made available, but remain the property of GIS.
Our students often have different levels of experience in the German language. In order for proper placement of each student, we determine the level of proficiency during a special testing day or on the first day of a course, and form the classes accordingly.
Returning students receive a discount of ten percent, and there is an early bird discount for each session (see below). We reserve the right to cancel a course that does not have the requisite number of students enrolled.
Corporate Classes. We also offer classes to your employees at your facilities at your convenience. Please contact Angelika at angelika@germansouthwest.org or 713-822-4257 for more information.
Private Tutoring. We offer private tutoring from our highly qualified instructors on an hourly time basis in packages of ten hours per purchase. Existing students of our institute and students enrolled in high schools or universities enjoy a discount. Please contact Angelika at angelika@germansouthwest.org or 713-822-4257 for more information.
Reading and Translating German Texts In 5 Weeks! (Registration Closed)
Reading and Translating German Texts In 5 Weeks!
The German Institute for the Southwest is offering a unique course for graduate students who must demonstrate proficiency in a second language or in German.
Reading knowledge of German as research tool
Demonstrate proficiency in a second language
Accelerated study and analysis of grammar and linguistic structures of German scholarly and scientific literature
5 Weeks – 30 sessions @ 3 hours each
For more information, please contact German Institute for the Southwest: info@germansouthwest.org or 713-822-4257
Graduate students often must demonstrate proficiency in a second language. Some students opt for two or more semesters of language study, while others choose to prepare for a reading and translation exam. If you’re in the latter group, this course — Reading and Translating German Texts — is for you.
Over five weeks, in 30 sessions of three hours each, you’ll come to understand the nuts and bolts of German grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. In addition, you’ll learn effective strategies for avoiding common translation pitfalls and translating German texts into idiomatic English.
The course will move at a brisk pace and homework will be frequent (read: daily) and substantial. You will learn how to pronounce German, but speaking German and understanding spoken German is not what this course is about. It is about preparing you to comprehend and then translate German texts from a variety of academic disciplines into decent English prose. In other words, it’s intended to get you ready for your reading and translation exam.
We offer this course two times this summer, from May 29 to July 1, 2017, and from July 17 to August 26, 2017, Mondays through Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the American Red Cross, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098, with a “floating” three hour session on the weekends conducted via Skype. The course is taught by a Rice University Emeritus Faculty member, and the cost is $4,500 per course. Please contact us for more information at info@germansouthwest.org or call 713-822-4257.
Summer I – 4 Week German Language Classes for Adults in Houston (Registration Closed)
- Classes Meet on Mondays and Wednesdays
- June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, and 28
- 8 classes
- Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units
- Choice of Morning or Evening Course (Must be selected at time of registration)
- Morning Classes from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Evening Classes from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Early Registration ends Sunday, May 21, 2017 (you get a $10 discount)
- Regular Registration ends Sunday, May 28,2017
- Late Registration begins on Monday, May 29, 2017 (you pay $10 more for the course)
- Tuition: $310 (Returning students receive 10% discount)
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
Registration – Click HERE to register.
Summer II – 4 Week German Language Classes for Adults in Houston (Registration Closed)
- Classes Meet on Mondays and Wednesdays
- July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, and 31
- August 2
- 8 classes
- Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units
- Choice of Morning or Evening Course (Must be selected at time of registration)
- Morning Classes from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Evening Classes from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Early Registration ends Sunday, June 25, 2017 (you get a $10 discount)
- Regular Registration ends Sunday, July 2,2017
- Late Registration begins on Monday, July 3, 2017 (you pay $10 more for the course)
- Tuition: $310 (Returning students receive 10% discount
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
Registration – Click HERE to register.
2 Week Summer Intensive German Classes (Registration Closed)
- Classes on Mondays through Fridays
- August 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11;
- August 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18
- 10 classes
- Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units
- Evening Classes from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Early Registration ends Sunday, July 16, 2017 (you get a $10 discount)
- Regular Registration ends Sunday, July 30, 2017
- Late Registration begins on Monday, July 31, 2017 (you pay $10 more for the course)
- Tuition: $375 (Returning students receive 10% discount)
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
- Registration is now open – please register here
10 Week Fall German Classes (Registration Open)
- Classes on Mondays and Wednesdays
- September 6; 11, 13; 18, 20; 25, 27
- October 2, 4; 9, 11; 16, 18; 23, 25, and 30
- November 1; 6, 8; and 13
- NOTE: First class is on a Wednesday and last class is on a Monday
- 20 classes
- Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units
- Choice of Morning or Evening Course (Must be selected at time of registration)
- Morning Classes from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Evening Classes from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Early Registration ends Sunday, August 13, 2016 (you get a $25 discount)
- Regular Registration ends Sunday, August 27, 2016
- Late Registration begins on Monday, August 28, 2016 (you pay $25 more for the course)
- Tuition: $575 (Returning students receive 10% discount)
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
- Registration is now open –please register here
10 Week INTENSIVE Fall German Classes (Registration Open)
10-Weeks – 100 total Teaching Units (TU) of 45 Minutes – 2 Classes per week
Minimum Requirement: 3 Students
- Classes on Mondays and Wednesdays
- September 6; 11, 13; 18, 20; 25, 27
- October 2, 4; 9, 11; 16, 18; 23, 25, and 30
- November 1; 6, 8; and 13
- NOTE: First class is on a Wednesday and last class is on a Monday
- 20 classes
- Each class is THREE (3) hours long and includes four 45-minute TUs
- Monday and Wednesday afternoons 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m. or by agreement
- Regular Registrationends Sunday, August 27, 2016
- Late Registrationbegins on Monday, August 28, 2016 (you pay $75 more for the course)
- Tuition:$1,195 (Returning students receive 10% discount)
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
- Registration now open – Click here to register
Special German Literature and Discussion Class (Registration Open)
***SPECIAL COURSE: “Literature and Discussion Class” – Level B2 and above***
Die deutsch-französischen Beziehungen in der Vergangenheit und in der Gegenwart und ihre Bedeutung für Europa
Wir werden uns über die Präsidentschafts- und Parlamentswahlen in Frankreich sowie die Bundestagswahlen in Deutschland unterhalten und die Parteiprogramme auf Aussagen zur Europapolitik hin untersuchen und uns insbesondere mit der Geschichte des Elsass befassen. Geplant ist, „Die Elsässer“ anzuschauen und unter anderem „Marthe und Mathilde: Eine Familie zwischen Frankreich und Deutschland“ von Pascale Hugues zu lesen.
- Tuesday Evening Classes, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- September 12, 19, and 26
- October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
- November 7, and 14
- 10 classes
- Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units
- Early Registration ends Sunday, August 27, 2017 (you get a $15 discount)
- Regular Registration ends Sunday, September 3, 2017
- Late Registration begins on Monday, September 4, 2017 (you pay $15 more for the course)
- Tuition: $319 (Returning students receive 10% discount)
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
- Registration is now open –please register here
***SPECIAL COURSE: “Conversation – Deutsch Aktuell” *** – Level A2 and above*** (Registration Open)
This course on the A2 level focuses on conversation, and includes grammar and vocabulary instruction. The basis for our discussions are diverse topics from everyday life, news in the media, etc. A2 proficiency is required.
- Tuesday Evening Classes, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- September 12, 19, and 26
- October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
- November 7, and 14
- 10 classes
- Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units
- Early Registration ends Sunday, August 27, 2017 (you get a $15 discount)
- Regular Registration ends Sunday, September 3, 2017
- Late Registration begins on Monday, September 4, 2017 (you pay $15 more for the course)
- Tuition: $319 (Returning students receive 10% discount)
- NO REGISTRATION FEE
- Registration now open – please register here