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Do You Have the "Drang"?

 

 

             In German, "Drang" expresses an "urge", like an itch you have to scratch. Are you itching to learn

     German? Mark Twain called it "The Awful German Language", but of course he was (half) kidding. 

                                                                                                                         

 

 

                          "Surely there is not another language that is so slipshod and

                           systemless, and so slippery and elusive to the grasp."      

                                                         Mark Twain, "The Awful German Language"

 

  

             While I disagree with the first part of Mark Twain's statement--German

    is by no means "slipshod" or "systemless"--I must admit that it is very "slippery

    and elusive to the grasp." I have over twenty years of teaching experience

    with German, but it never ceases to amaze me how difficult it must be for a non-native speaker to learn the

    language. Growing up with German as my native language, I took its complexities for granted, and only

    through teaching it did I come to truly appreciate the fact that I was born into it and did not have to learn it

    as a foreign language. That said, I admire anyone who attempts it and more so anyone who persists, and I

    hope that my pages will  

  

                                * help you with your studies

                                          * open your mind to other cultures

                                                     * provide useful links to other sources

                                                                 * increase your desire to learn

                                                                            * and maybe even entertain a little.

 

                           So scratch that itch and obey the "Drang"! Viel Spaß!  

 

             Read the complete text of Twain's essay or listen to an audio version online.The essay is most

    entertaining for those who have already studied German to some extent  and can relate to the language 

    concepts lampooned by the author.

 

 

 

  

  What you won't find on my pages: Annoying

   ads and indiscriminate links to other sites that send you around in circles. There

   are, however, select ads and links that are pertinent to recommended resources.

 

   What you will find on my pages:

 

   Most recently added: two exercises for subordinating and coordinating

    conjunctions; audio activity for modals/infinitives ; audio activity for

    dative case; online vocab exercise for travel/transportation (basic); video

    worksheet for Annett Louisan music video; movie review for "In July" (Im Juli);

    easy audio worksheet for modals from Rolf Zuckowski's "Der kleine Tag"; online

    exercise for two-way prepositions; new video worksheet (transportation;

    includes the Oscar-winning short "Schwarzfahrer"); easy online exercise for 

    accusative and dative objects

    

 

   *  Free worksheets (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced)

 

   *  Free webquests (for specific topics, like Restaurant, Hotel, Wetter etc.)

 

   *  Links for Vocab Practice (vocab flashcards and vocab links)

 

   *  Helpful handouts (supplementary handouts for teachers or individual

        learners)

 

    Free video activities and worksheets (worksheets to go along with

        youtube videos) 

 

    *  Free audio activities and worksheets

 

   *  Movie reviews (currently "Im Juli")

 

   *  Easy readers/workbooks: Reading texts specifically abridged and edited

        for students of German, with annotations and extensive workbooks.

 

   *  My own quirky collection of "Swiss Oddities": cultural oddities of

        my favorite German-speaking country: Switzerland.

 

   *  Useful conversion links (for clothing sizes, even hats and belts,

        currency, metric measurements).

 

    *  ResourcesRecommendations for a variety of German materials (books,

        songs, geography games, useful links, and more).

 

    German sportsLinks to the websites of all major German sports leagues.

        Some allow you to watch games live.

 

    German customs: Customs and holidays of German-speaking countries as

       they arise throughout the year. Currently: "Three Kings Day"

 

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for German textbooks or workbooks, check out my half.com store. I have a small selection of reasonably priced used and new books available for sale.

 

   

 

 

 

Currently, all practice materials on this site (except for the readers/workbooks) are free, but they are the result of countless hours of work. If you feel this site has been useful to you and you are in a position to be generous, please feel free to leave a donation. Any amount is appreciated. Thank you!  

 

   

 

All transactions secured through paypal. You don't need a paypal account.

 

 Danke! Vielen Dank!