Welcome to the online portion of Frau Osman's German Class! Here we will discuss and learn about German culture, grammar, and the language. You will have weekly assignments based on this site, so make sure to visit often in order to complete your homework!
My name is Miriam Harper, and I am currently studying History in the hopes of becoming a teacher. I am excited to contribute to this site and hope that I can bring a new perspective to learning German. Learning a language is much more than just memorizing a long list of words. If you truly want to learn a new language you will also need to understand a new culture and a new history. The history of the German speaking peoples is immense and diverse, hopefully we will be able to help you learn about them and the impact that they have had on the world throughout history.
This question is one which has been asked many times by anyone who has studied people, Peoples, languages, countries, and history. American culture can be (sterotypically) defined as big, loud, patriotic, and monolingual. But is that all we really are? Is culture just what other people percieve?
Watch the following YouTube video on what people in London believe culture is:
So what does this have to do with Germany? London is a completely different city in a completely different country. Well, the answer is pretty simple. German culture, like all others, is complex. Read the following two blog posts:
Let's see how much you know about German culture! Go through the flashcards and see what's new and what's surprising. Make sure to come prepared to discuss what you learned in class!
Answer the following questions in the comments.
What is culture to you? Think about what these Londoners said. Did you agree with it? What would you add?
What strange American customs do we have? Or, alternatively, what is a strange (non-German) custom you have come across?
Bonus Question: What is the name of the traditional dress that my Austrian friends are wearing in the picture bellow?
