Chapter 1: Berlin
Table of Contents
Berlin A
Learning Objectives
In these activities, you show that you can:
demonstrate knowledge about German history in general and the role Berlin plays
use past narration to share the locations that you have visited on your travels
interpret short texts and videos and identify relevant information about visiting Berlin
communicate with others in spoken conversation on topics related to the city of Berlin, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions
Scenarios
You are making plans to travel to the capital of Germany and lean on others to guide you.
You introduce yourselves to each other by name, clarifying by spelling it, and ask how you are.
You determine if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
You share about your interests, likes/dislikes, habits, interests and preferences related to your travel plans using high-frequency words.
You prepare by reviewing information on your previous travel destinations and compare it with your future travel plans- using German.
Show interest and enthusiasm / empathy and exchange contact information asking about social media, phone number etc.
You say goodbye depending on whether you’ll see each other again; note: “Bis später” only works if you really will see each other again. If you use it, the other person will likely say “Ach ja? Wann?”
Tools
Vocabulary
danach – nachdem – weiter – eher – insbesondere – unbedingt – ehemalig - zirka
an*sehen - empfehlen – besichtigen – fahren – nach*fragen
Zum Schluss - Ahh… Interessant! Wirklich? - Ohh… das tut mir leid!
der Berliner [Berliner] - die Berlinerin [Berlinerinnen]
Grammar and Structures
These grammatical structures can help you in the upcoming tasks.
| Structure | Usage |
|---|---|
| Connecting parts of an itinerary in past narration – strong verbs vs regular verbs in perfect | Ich bin letztes Jahr nach Frankfurt geflogen. Ich habe Frankfurt und Wiesbaden angesehen und dann bin ich nach Stuttgart gefahren. |
| Perfect tense and past participles | Ich bin geflogen / Ich bin gefahren / Ich bin geblieben / Ich bin gegangen / Ich habe gesehen / Ich habe besucht |
| Declare the start/end | am Anfang / zum Schluss |
Cultural Knowledge
Note the following information:
| Fact | Effect |
|---|---|
| Berlin | Ever since the 19th century, Berlin has always been a capital: In 1871, Berlin became the capital of the German Empire, in 1918 the capital of the Weimar Republic. Later, in 1933, the capital of Nazi Germany, and in 1949, after the division of the country into two separate nations, the capital of the German Democratic Republic. While Bonn functioned as capital from 1949 to 1990 for West Germany, only after the fall of the Wall and the subsequent reunification did Berlin become the capital for all Germany again. |
| Map of divided Germany | From 1949 to 1990 Germany was geographically and politically divided. |
Tasks
Activity 1: Interpreting Information
Listening/viewing/reading
In preparation for the upcoming oral parts, please review the following videos and websites. Please write down words and concepts that communicate pertinent information about German history and Berlin as a capital:
Berlin – Hauptstadt des vereinten Deutschland
Please feel free to research additional material for your travel plans.
Interpreting Information
Please respond to the following prompts:
Having examined the sources above, which landmarks and places in Berlin would you visit? In your travel itinerary, please include at least four places for consideration. Organize your trip so that the sequence of locations makes sense in terms of geographical positions and travel time. In your answers, use the vocabulary given above as well as high-frequency words.
Activity 2: Presenting Information
Present pertinent information about yourself.
Using your notes from the previous activity, please share what observations you have made about Berlin and its landmarks. Please share what specificities you identified and how Berlin compares to your favorite city in your opinion.
This activity should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Activity 3: Exchanging Information
Practice with partner(s) (interpersonal activity).
Taking the previous activities as a guide, engage in a brief conversation with partners covering the following topics:
Greet your partners and introduce yourselves, sharing information on name, origin, what you do, like /dislike etc.
Decide if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
You returned home from a trip to Berlin. You tell your friend about your experiences. Based on your notes and observations, what are the three most remarkable facts about the city and what was your itinerary for your trip to Germany?
These activities should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation and conversation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Take-Aways
Self-Reflection
Ask yourself what went well, where you or your partner(s) struggled to communicate, and how you could improve next time. To help you keep speaking in German, try these strategies:
| Problem | Strategies |
|---|---|
| I don’t know a word | Look it up, use its opposite with “nicht” or “kein-“ use gestures, Pantomime |
| I don’t understand my partner | Repeat the word you don’t understand and inflect at the end to indicate it’s a question. Ask for repetition with the phrase “Wie bitte? Entschuldigung – ich habe das nicht ganz verstanden. Kannst du das bitte nochmal sagen?” |
Digging Deeper: Follow-up Activities
Research more about the history of Germany in general and Berlin in particular.
Tour the sights of Berlin in 4k video.
Formulate your opinion about what you found out and pick one aspect or landmark that symbolizes Germany or Berlin for you best. Why did you choose it and what is remarkable about it?
Berlin B
Learning Objectives
In these activities, you show that you can:
demonstrate knowledge about East and West Berlin
use the passive voice in the present tense
interpret short texts and videos and identify relevant information about the different districts in Berlin
communicate with others in spoken conversation on topics related to identity and belonging, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions
Scenarios
You are asked to give a presentation about living in Berlin and the people who inhabit Berlin. You may lean on others to guide you.
You introduce yourselves to each other by name, clarifying by spelling it, and ask how you are.
You determine if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
You share about your interests, likes/dislikes, habits, interests and preferences related to your knowledge about Berlin using high-frequency words.
You prepare by reviewing information on former East and West Berlin and its districts using German.
Show interest and enthusiasm / empathy and exchange contact information asking about social media, phone number etc.
You say goodbye depending on whether you’ll see each other again; note: “Bis später” only works if you really will see each other again. If you use it, the other person will likely say “Ach ja? Wann?”
Tools
Vocabulary
die Umgebung – das Zentrum – der Bezirk – die Heimat – die Abgrenzung – die Zugehörigkeit – das Szeneviertel
erwähnen – dazu*gehören – ab*raten – wenden – erhöhen
niedrig – rasch
jedenfalls – unmittelbar
Grammar and Structures
These grammatical structures can help you in the upcoming tasks.
| Structure | Usage |
|---|---|
| passive voice with “werden” in the present tense | Ich werde getragen. Du wirst angerufen. Er/sie/es wird erwähnt. Wir werden gelobt. Ihr werdet geschlagen. Die Steuern werden erhöht. |
| not all verbs are able to form a passive voice: | modal verbs können, wollen, dürfen, sollen, müssen, möchten reflexive verbs sich freuen, sich interessieren, sich wundern |
Cultural Knowledge
Note the following information:
| Fact | Effect |
|---|---|
| Germany was divided in East and West for 41 years. | In 1949, when East and West Berlin were formed, travel between the two areas was still possible. People traveled between the parts for work or to visit relatives. However, this became increasingly difficult, and when East Germany began construction of a wall, to not only ideologically but also physically divide the city, entering or leaving the eastern part became almost impossible without special permission. Walter Ulbricht’s statement, “Niemand hat die Absicht eine Mauer zu errichten,” is often quoted among Germans when discussing the history of Berlin. |
| The geographically and ideologically divided city of Berlin fostered rich cultures and unique lifestyles on either side of its border. This divide shaped all aspects of politics, culture, and education. | Berlin has an attractive educational landscape. Many students from Germany and beyond are drawn to the city for its educational opportunities and the rich cultural life. Berlin is a hub for innovation and creativity in the arts, yet has little industry. The division of the city is the reason why Berlin has two zoos: the Tiergarten in the East and the Berlin Zoologischer Garten in the West. It also has two famous research universities: the Humboldt Universität in the East and the Freie Universität in the West. |
Tasks
Activity 1: Interpreting Information
Listening/viewing/reading
In preparation for the upcoming oral parts, please review the following videos and websites. Please write down words and concepts that communicate pertinent information about what it means to live in a certain district (Kiez) of Berlin and how it shapes identity:
Die 12 Berliner Bezirke, Berliner Bezirke und Stadtteile, Quizz Welcher Berliner Stadtteil past zu Dir?
Interpreting Information
Please respond to the following sentence:
“Für die Ostdeutschen hat sich mit der Wende alles geändert, für die Westdeutschen nur die Postleitzahl.”
Do you agree with this statement? Please note at least three arguments that support your opinion, using high-frequency words. Additional material can be found here: Was soll denn diese Mauer mitten in Berlin?, Die Mauer in den Köpfen?, Deutsche Einheit – was wurde aus der ideologischen Mauer
Please feel free to use additional material.
Activity 2: Presenting Information
Present pertinent information about yourself.
Using your notes from the previous activity, please share what observations you have made about Berlin’s districts. Please share what pros and cons you identified and how living in the western part of Berlin compares to living in the eastern part (in your opinion). Please use the passive voice in the present tense where appropriate.
This activity should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Activity 3: Exchanging Information
Practice with partner(s) (interpersonal activity).
Taking the previous activities as a guide, engage in a brief conversation with partners covering the following topics:
Greet your partners and introduce yourselves, sharing information on name, origin, what you do, like /dislike etc.
Decide if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
Imagine that you just returned from your trip to Berlin. You are excited about one particular Kiez that you explored and would like to share those experiences with your friends. Based on your notes and observations, describe why you enjoy that district the most and provide three reasons. Please use the passive voice in the present tense where appropriate, to describe things that happen in that part of the city.
Take turns sharing your information with your partner.
These activities should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation and conversation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Take-Aways
Self-Reflection
Ask yourself what went well, where you or your partner(s) struggled to communicate, and how you could improve next time. To help you keep speaking in German, try these strategies:
| Problem | Strategies |
|---|---|
| I don’t know a word | Look it up, use its opposite with “nicht” or “kein-“ use gestures, Pantomime |
| I don’t understand my partner | Repeat the word you don’t understand and inflect at the end to indicate it’s a question. Ask for repetition with the phrase “Wie bitte? Entschuldigung – ich habe das nicht ganz verstanden. Kannst du das bitte nochmal sagen?” |
Digging Deeper: Follow-up Activities
Research more about the significance of Berlin as a symbol for German reunification. Do you think Germany has grown into one country and that Germans are proud of what they achieved with this peaceful transition?
Formulate your opinion about what you learned about Germany and patriotic discourse in Germany. How does a reticence toward patriotic expression reflect upon and respond to its history.
Patriotismus im Fussball: Deutschlandfahnenverbot ja oder nein? What is the main controversy discussed in this video? Why is this controversial? Please compare and contrast the use of national flags/symbols in the US and Germany.
Berlin C
Learning Objectives
In these activities, you show that you can:
demonstrate knowledge about Berlin as a center for art and culture
use the passive voice in the past tense
interpret short texts and videos and identify relevant information about Berlin’s culture
communicate with others in spoken conversation on topics related to Berlin’s role in the cultural landscape, its sights and scenes, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions
Scenarios
You are asked to give a presentation about Berlin’s culture. You may lean on others to guide you.
You introduce yourselves to each other by name, clarifying by spelling it, and ask how you are.
You determine if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
You share about your interests, likes/dislikes, habits, and preferences related to your knowledge about Berlin’s Kulturleben using high-frequency words.
You prepare by reviewing information on museums, theaters, concerts, and galleries in Berlin.
Show interest and enthusiasm / empathy and swap personal details by asking about social media information, phone number etc.
You say goodbye depending on whether you’ll see each other again; note: “Bis später” only works if you really will see each other again. If you use it, the other person will likely say “Ach ja? Wann?”
Tools
Vocabulary
das Programm – die Tatsache – der Kulturbetrieb – die Galerie
übernehmen – an*geben – eröffnen - ab*lehnen
anschließend – schließlich – sodass – derzeit
notwendig
Grammar and Structures
These grammatical structures can help you in the upcoming tasks.
| Structure | Usage |
|---|---|
| passive voice with “werden” in the past tense | Ich wurde getragen. Du wurdest angerufen. Er/sie/es wurde erwähnt. Wir wurden gelobt. Ihr wurdet geschlagen. Die Steuern wurden erhöht. |
| usage of passive voice in German | The passive voice is used less often in German when compared to English, but it is still used. |
| agency in passive sentences | In German, the agent may or may not be included in the sentence: “Das Essen wurde gekocht” vs “Das Essen wurde von mir gekocht”. |
| agent as a person, as opposed to the means by which the verbal action occurs | If the agent is a person, it is expressed in German with a von-phrase: “Das Essen wurde von Paul gekocht.” If the agent is not a person, then a durch-phrase is used: “Der Gewinner wurde durch die Medien bekanntgegeben.” |
Cultural Knowledge
Note the following information:
| Fact | Effect |
|---|---|
| Berlin is home to more than 175 museums, 150 theatrical venues, 300 galleries, 130 movie theaters and many cultural institutions. Berlin’s diversity is reflected in the many international and multilingual cultural productions that make Berlin a hub of the international art scene. Berlin breathes creativity and at the same time is shaped by the political scene, owing to its role as Germany’s capital. | Although Berlin is no economic powerhouse, it is attracts many tourists and creatives. As of 2020, the city budgets €600 million for the promotion of culture, 95% of which goes to institutions. The remainder of the budget is project related. One of the main attractions for art aficionados is Berlin’s Museum Island (Museumsinsel). |
| Museumsinsel Berlin | Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hosts some of the most popular museums in Berlin. Additionally, Berlin is home to some outdoor art venues, including the well-known East Side Gallery. |
Tasks
Activity 1: Interpreting Information
Listening/viewing/reading
In preparation for the upcoming oral parts, please review the following videos. Please write down words and concepts that communicate pertinent information about cultural events and institutions that are especially interesting to you. Use the following sources as guidelines:
Denkmäler in Berlin, Kultur in Berlin, Berlin – Weltkulturerbe, Anschlag auf die Museumsinsel,
Please feel free to use other resources in German for your preparation.
Interpreting Information
Please comment on the following sentence:
“Berlin. Die größte kulturelle Extravaganz, die man sich vorstellen kann.” (David Bowie)
Do you agree? How does Berlin compare to other major cities you’ve visited? Please note at least three arguments that support your opinion.
Activity 2: Presenting Information
Present pertinent information about yourself.
Using your notes from the previous activity, please share what observations you have made about the cultural scene in Berlin. Please share which cultural institution, event, etc. caught your eye and why. Please use the passive voice in the past tense where it is appropriate.
This activity should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Activity 3: Exchanging Information
Practice with partner(s) (interpersonal activity).
Taking the previous activities as a guide, engage in a brief conversation with partners covering the following topics:
Greet your partners and introduce yourselves, sharing information on name, origin, what you do, like /dislike etc.
Decide if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
Imagine that you just returned from your trip to Berlin. You are excited about your experiences with the cultural scene as well as memorials and architecture. Pick an element that you explored and would like to share with your friends. Based on your notes and observations, give your arguments for your choice and list at least three elements that excite you about this aspect of Berlin.
Take turns sharing your information with your partner.
These activities should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation and conversation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Take-Aways
Self-Reflection
Ask yourself what went well, where you or your partner(s) struggled to communicate, and how you could improve next time. To help you keep speaking in German, try these strategies:
| Problem | Strategies |
|---|---|
| I don’t know a word | Look it up, use its opposite with “nicht” or “kein-“ use gestures, Pantomime |
| I don’t understand my partner | Repeat the word you don’t understand and inflect at the end to indicate it’s a question. Ask for repetition with the phrase “Wie bitte? Entschuldigung – ich habe das nicht ganz verstanden. Kannst du das bitte nochmal sagen?” |
Digging Deeper: Follow-up Activities
Research more about the alternative / countercultures in Berlin and why the city is considered to be a creative epicenter of Europe.
Have a look at the following video and website and do more research on this innovative way of teaching the history of Berlin: Berliner Unterwelten, Unterwelten Video. Have you participated in a similar activity in your home country? Or, have you experienced similar approaches to teaching history beyond classical museums?
Formulate your opinion in response to the following quotation, and explain how it informs your understanding of Berlin and its reputation.
“Berlin [ist] dazu verdammt: immerfort zu werden und niemals zu sein.”
Karl Scheffler, art critic, 1910
Berlin D
Learning Objectives
In these activities, you show that you can:
identify the features of Berlin that are historical and those that are under development
use passive constructions with modal verbs, in the future tense, in perfect tense
interpret short texts and videos and identify relevant information about Berlin’s special role in German history, the city’s culture, attraction, and appeal
communicate with others in spoken conversation on topics related to Berlin as home to a very diverse population, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions
Scenarios
You embody the roles of a journalist and tour guide in Berlin and may lean on others to guide you.
You introduce yourselves to each other by name, clarifying by spelling it, and ask how you are.
You determine if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
You share about your interests, likes/dislikes, habits, interests and preferences related to your knowledge about interesting places, institutions in Berlin, as well as its sights, using high-frequency words.
You prepare by reviewing information on future projects underway in Berlin, and examine the culinary scene and compare it with your own hometown - using German.
Show interest and enthusiasm / empathy and exchange contact information asking about social media, phone number etc.
You say goodbye depending on whether you’ll see each other again; note: “Bis später” only works if you really will see each other again. If you use it, the other person will likely say “Ach ja? Wann?”
Tools
Vocabulary
die Baustelle – das Projekt – die Folge – der Gegenstand – das Objekt
entfernen – fest*halten – überzeugen – verwenden
doch – durchaus – ebenfalls – gesamt – inzwischen – übrigens
künftig – ambitioniert - ehrgeizig
Grammar and Structures
These grammatical structures can help you in the upcoming tasks.
| Structure | Usage |
|---|---|
| passive voice with modal verbs + “werden” + past participle | Keep in mind that modal verbs don’t have a passive form but are frequently part of passive constructions: Das Bad muss geputzt werden. Das Projekt musste schnell abgeschlossen werden. |
| passive voice in the future tense | Keep in mind that you use *two* forms of werden for the passive voice in the future: a conjugated form of “werden” and “werden” as the passive infinitive + past participle: Die Philharmonie wird gebaut werden. Die Steuern werden erhöht werden. |
| statal passive with a form of “sein” | You learned that passive constructions are built with a form of “werden”. Here, we assume that an action is taking place: Der Laden wird geschlossen. The statal passive indicates the result of the action that already took place: Der Laden ist geschlossen. You often find the statal passive on (prohibition) signs: Das Baden im See ist verboten. |
| Passive voice in perfect tense | Reminder: the passive voice in perfect tense consists of a conjugated form of “sein” + a special form of “werden”: Die Steuern sind erhöht worden. Das Haus ist abgerissen worden. |
Cultural Knowledge
Note the following information:
| Fact | Effect |
|---|---|
| People from more than 190 nations call Berlin their home. Demographics of Berlin | Diverse national backgrounds influence the food culture in Berlin. Berlin is a hotspot for trendy and traditional foods alike. Top 10 Restaurants, Internationale Küche in Berlin – Finder |
| Despite the numerous culinary possibilities that Berlin offers, there is a classic dish that can be found all over Germany: die Currywurst. Legend has it that it was invented in Berlin. Some stands also offer vegetarian / vegan currywurst. | The Currywurst appears in literature and music. The Currywurst can also be a lens into postwar German culture. See also Herbert Grönemeyer Currywurst, Uwe Timm Die Entdeckung der Currywurst |
Tasks
Activity 1: Interpreting Information
Listening/viewing/reading
In preparation for the upcoming oral parts, please review the following videos and websites. You may also consult the material you read in the previous three sections. Please write down words and concepts that communicate pertinent information about Berlin and future projects that will shape the face of life in Berlin:
Neuer Flughafen Berlin BER, Projekte der GrünBerlin Gruppe, Stadtplanung der Zukunft, Kulturprojekte Berlin, Berliner Stadtschloss
Interpreting Information
Please respond to the following prompts:
“Berlin ist arm, aber sexy”. This assessment by Berlin’s former mayor Klaus Wowereit still is a familiar slogan in conversations about Berlin. Even though the city’s financial situation is less precarious nowadays, many projects currently under construction in the capital are being criticized. The new airport is a prime example for this. From your research and knowledge about Berlin, what do you think the city should focus on for its future development? Please explain your opinion using high-frequency words and the passive voice where appropriate.
Activity 2: Presenting Information
Present pertinent information about yourself.
Using your notes from the previous activity, please share what observations you have made about the development of Berlin, starting from its status as a divided city and ending with its position as a modern and future-oriented metropolis. Please pick one project / development you find particularly interesting and make three points about it.
This activity should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Activity 3: Exchanging Information
Practice with partner(s) (interpersonal activity).
Taking the previous activities as a guide, engage in a brief conversation with partners covering the following topics:
Greet your partners and introduce yourselves, sharing information on name, origin, what you do, like /dislike etc.
Decide if you should ‘duzen’ (using the informal ‘du’) or ‘Siezen’ (using formal ‘Sie’); note: in German the person of higher rank or older age will determine.
Imagine that you are a cultural critic living in Berlin and were tasked with explaining what Berlin means to you. Based on your notes and observations, produce a spoken love letter to the city and its people, focusing on positive and critical aspects.
Take turns sharing your thoughts with your partner.
These activities should take you 3-5 minutes to prepare and your presentation and conversation should last about 1-2 minutes.
Take-Aways
Self-Reflection
Ask yourself what went well, where you or your partner(s) struggled to communicate, and how you could improve next time. To help you keep speaking in German, try these strategies:
| Problem | Strategies |
|---|---|
| I don’t know a word | Look it up, use its opposite with “nicht” or “kein-“ use gestures, Pantomime |
| I don’t understand my partner | Repeat the word you don’t understand and inflect at the end to indicate it’s a question. Ask for repetition with the phrase “Wie bitte? Entschuldigung – ich habe das nicht ganz verstanden. Kannst du das bitte nochmal sagen?” |
Digging Deeper: Follow-up Activities
research more about the culinary scene in Berlin
create a perfect day for you and your significant other in Berlin. You know the city but they don’t, so they are going to rely on your expertise. Which elements would you include? Where would you eat?
Based on the following links Food Festivals in Berlin and Street Food Festival Berlin, how does eating in Berlin compare to your cuisine at home? Which similarities do you see and which food are you most interested in trying and why?