GERM 111 at the University of Maryland Global Campus is a 3-credit beginner course.
UMGC says it assumes no prior knowledge of German, and that its objective is to communicate in German in some concrete, real-life situations using culturally appropriate language, while exploring aspects of German life and culture.
Online sections require a microphone, speakers and occasional synchronous work. Beginners often find German's noun genders, cases and verb position more demanding than vocabulary itself.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Code and title | GERM 111 Elementary German I |
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisite | None; assumes no prior knowledge of German |
| Who it is for | Not open to native speakers; students with experience should take a placement test |
| Credit rule | Credit for only one of GERM 101 or GERM 111 |
| Online requirements | Microphone, speakers and occasional synchronous work |
What GERM 111 Covers
UMGC's description names communication and culture rather than a list of grammar points. The table gives the common beginner building blocks; your textbook sets the order.
| Area | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Real-life communication | Greetings, introductions, numbers, time and simple requests |
| Pronunciation | Umlauts, ch sounds, final consonants |
| Sentence basics | Verb position and simple questions |
| Nouns and articles | Gender and the first cases |
| Culture | Aspects of German life explored through the language |
Key Concepts Explained
Verb in Second Position
In a main clause the conjugated verb comes second, whatever comes first.
Example: Ich lerne heute Deutsch. Heute lerne ich Deutsch. In both, lerne is the second element. Writing "Heute ich lerne" is a typical beginner mistake.
Gender and Articles
Nouns are masculine, feminine or neuter, shown by der, die and das. Learn each noun with its article, since gender is rarely predictable.
Nominative and Accusative
The subject takes the nominative; the direct object takes the accusative, which changes masculine articles.
Example: Der Hund ist groß (nominative). Ich sehe den Hund (accusative): der becomes den.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar and vocabulary exercises | Accuracy | Short daily practice and error logs |
| Spoken recordings | Pronunciation | Record, listen back, repeat |
| Short written texts | Taught structures | Keep sentences simple and check verb position |
| Culture tasks | Context | Link one fact to one comparison |
A First Look at Articles and Cases
A table of the definite article by case and gender is the one reference most beginners return to. Build it from your textbook and test yourself on it daily.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das |
| Accusative | den | die | das |
At this level only the masculine accusative changes, which is a useful simplification: if you can spot the direct object, you know when den replaces der.
Daily Practice That Fits a Busy Schedule
- Ten minutes of listening: repeat short dialogues aloud, copying the rhythm.
- Ten minutes of vocabulary: noun plus article plus plural.
- Five minutes of writing: three sentences about today, checking that the verb is second.
Short, daily sessions are easy to keep going. Record yourself monthly so you can hear the difference in pronunciation as the term moves on.
German Sounds to Practice First
| Feature | What to notice | Practice words |
|---|---|---|
| Umlauts | Ä, Ö and Ü are separate vowel sounds, not decoration | schön, über, Mädchen |
| The ch sound | Two different sounds depending on the vowel before it | ich, Buch |
| W and V | W sounds like English v; v often sounds like f | Wasser, Vater |
| Final consonants | b, d and g at the end are voiceless | Tag, Hund |
Record yourself saying these in short phrases. Comparing your recording with a model for five minutes is more effective than reading rules.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Genders. Learn nouns with articles from the start.
- Word order. Practice verb-second with different openers.
- Long compound words. Break them into parts.
- Speaking out loud. Rehearse before recording.
Study Tips for GERM 111
- Use a daily 20-minute routine.
- Color-code noun genders in your notes.
- Read dialogues aloud.
- Test your equipment before synchronous sessions.
How We Help with GERM 111
Send the prompt, your draft and the course materials. A German tutor can explain grammar, correct your writing and give practice examples. Use the help to learn and submit your own work.
GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with the University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid; complete and submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, with free revisions within the scope of your original request and a full refund if late.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. UMGC says the course assumes no prior knowledge; experienced students should take a placement test.
UMGC states it is not open to native speakers of German.
Yes. UMGC lists a microphone, speakers and occasional synchronous work.
UMGC allows credit for only one of them.
GERM 112 lists GERM 111 or a placement score as its prerequisite.
Yes. Send them and we correct and explain the rules.