Helpful Handouts

Helpful Handouts

*** All handouts listed on this page are in Windows Word format.

*** The handouts are intended to supplement, not replace, textbook materials. They usually summarize a

specific topic.

*** This collection is a work in progress. Check back often to see what has been added.

*** The handouts are for private or class room use only and may not be used in any publication or

for-profit purpose without the author's prior written consent.

*** By downloading or copying these handouts, you agree to these terms of use.

Handouts

1. Meeting someone: Basic phrases when meeting someone, both formal and informal situations.

2. Dictionary 101: How to Get the Most Out Of Your Dictionary. Activity to

evaluate/practice students' use of a German-English/English-German dictionary. If you cannot answer

all of the questions in this activity with the help of your dictionary, you definitely need a better

dictionary. For any kind of German class, a dictionary with a minimum of 50,000 references is

recommended. Personally, in my 30 years of professional experience as a translator and teacher, I have

found Langenscheidt German dictionaries (the yellow ones with the big blue L on the front)to be the

most useful. A really good dictionary can be expensive, but Langenscheidt has reasonably priced

dictionaries that are quite comprehensive (e.g. Compact German-English/English-German dictionary

with over 70,000 references for around $20). If you are in the market for a dictionary, check out

Powell's Books. They carry a selection of Langenscheidt German dictionaries, both new and used.

3. Adjective endings: Chart of adjective endings for preceded adjectives.

4. Plurals of German Nouns: Possible and consistent patterns of German plural formation.

5. Modal conjugation: Fill in correct present-tense forms of all the modals or print out complete

table for reference. Can be used effectively with modal conversation handout. Read the conversation

out loud and have students write all of the conjugated modal forms into the blank table as they hear them.

Additionally, the modal conversation handout can be used to identify the infinitive verb in each sentence.

6. Irregular Verbs, Kapitel 4 (Deutsch Heute, 9th ed.): All of the irregular verbs of chapter 4

on one page, with colors for visual learners.

7. Two-way prepositions: visual illustration of the two-way prepositions.

8. German clause patterns: Basic patterns of main and subordinate clauses. May be useful as a

supplement in classroom. Not sufficient on its own. Can be used very well with online exercise to

practice expectations of how a second clause will have to start and to identify the types of clauses

by the position of the conjugated verb.

9. Sentence patterns for direct and indirect objects: noun and pronoun order for sentences

with direct and indirect objects. Includes practice sentences for replacing accusative and dative nouns

with pronouns.

10.Summary charts for nominative, accusative, and dative: color-coordinated charts of

article endings, pronouns, and prepositions may be helpful to visual learners. Includes exercise for

identifying possible cases of articles and pronouns.

11. German n-nouns (weak masculine nouns): not a handout, but excellent resource can be

12. List of irregular verbs: not a handout, but a great resource, for irregular simple past and past

participle forms.

13. Present perfect tense: use and formation, some practice of past participle forms

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