Niskayuna High School offers German beginning in 9th grade. Students can choose German classes at either the Regents or Honors level. College credit is offered in German V through SUNY Oswego.

GERMAN 1 - Grades 9-12

This introductory course is organized around the communicative functions of socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing personal feelings, and persuading. Emphasis will be given to listening and speaking. Reading and writing skills will also be developed. The topics of self, family and community, health and welfare, travel and leisure, meal taking and food, and shopping will be introduced. Grammatical structures, vocabulary and culture consisted with the NYS Syllabus at Checkpoint A will be presented.

GERMAN 1/2 ACCELLERATED - Grades 9-12

Students will be able to complete two years of German during their first year of study. Successful completion of this course would allow them to register for German III. Communicative function, grammar and verb tenses will be stressed. Authentic materials will be used.

GERMAN 2 R - Grades 9-12

Students will continue to develop proficient skills moving toward Checkpoint B, via the further development of the communicative functions. Topics will be expanded and treated in greater depth. The concept of tense will be developed and differentiated. Authentic materials will be used to increase reading and cultural comprehension.

GERMAN 2 H - Grades 9-12 

These are the first courses in the German Honors sequence. They are designed for those students who have demonstrated the ability, motivation and work ethic required for a linguistic experience of greater depth and breadth. Basic course materials will be covered with greater expectations for student performance in the areas of speaking and writing. Reading texts and written assignments will be longer and more complex. The study of tenses will be more extensive, and authentic materials will be introduced.

GERMAN 3 R - Grades 10-12 

Students will continue to develop understanding of the structure and the communicative functions. Additional verb tenses and sequencing will be included. Vocabulary and topics will be expanded. Students will learn to appreciate various aspects of the German culture.

GERMAN 3 H - Grades 10-12

Students will continue to explore topics in a more thorough manner. Emphasis will be on more sophisticated comprehension and use of language that will lead to greater proficient in all communicative skills. Literary topics will be included. Various verb forms will be introduced and students will be expected to manipulate more complex vocabulary and structures. Projects will emphasize a higher skill level.

GERMAN 4 R - Grades 11-12

All four skills will continue to be developed and assessed. Presentations and projects in German will show more depth and complexity. Authentic materials will be used as the basis for listening, speaking, reading and writing. Speech samples will be longer, more detailed and more complex. All major tenses will be included. Examples from German literature and films will be used. The final exam for this course marks the completion of Checkpoint B.

GERMAN 4H - Grades 11-12

The course will introduce additional literary topics. All major verb tenses will be presented. Writing and speaking will be of greater depth and complexity. Projects will continue to emphasize higher level skills and enrichment. Speech samples and authentic documents will be longer and more sophisticated. The Regents examination or Checkpoint B exam and a final project will be required at the end of this course.

GERMAN 5 PR (Post Regents) - Grade 12

This post-Regents senior elective will allow students to enhance and maintain their linguistic and cultural skills. Contemporary documents and literature will be used to build skills at Checkpoint C. Emphasis will be given to the preparation of German language projects to evaluate the development of Checkpoint C (post-Regents) proficiency. *Students in level 5 may complete work to achieve the Seal of Biliteracy.

GERMAN 5H - Grade 12

A college-level curriculum is followed that includes literature, contemporary language, film, and culture. In addition, since learning standards for this level are commensurate with the skills required for success on the AP Examination in Language, students in GERMAN 5H may register for this exam. *Students in level 5 may complete work to achieve the Seal of Biliteracy.