Join us to take your conversational skills to the next level. Participants will practice communication skills in simple personal, recreational, and public settings. To benefit from the course, participants should have done one of the following:
1. Studied German for approximately two years or achieved a GCSE (Grade A/A*).
2. Completed Parts 1 and 2 of our German: Lower Intermediate level.
3. Achieved or are near A2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages."
Course starts: 23 Apr 2026
This course focuses on enhancing listening comprehension and speaking skills, accuracy and fluency to improve your conversational proficiency across various everyday contexts. Through multimedia resources, activities, engaging discussions, and feedback, you'll refine your grammar, expand your vocabulary and gain more confidence in initiating and maintaining a conversation.
Our open-access courses cater for mixed-ability groups, fostering a collaborative environment where students work together to achieve their learning goals. Our experienced tutors create a supportive and dynamic environment, ensuring that the learning experience is both enjoyable and effective.
The weekly course schedule below provides an overview of the main topics likely to be covered in each session. Please note that these may sometimes change at the tutor’s discretion to reflect the interests of course participants.
Week 1: Planning a trip across Germany, Austria and Switzerland (travel planning and booking).
Week 2: Cultural heritage and sightseeing (planning activities and asking for clarification).
Week 3: Talking about sport, activities and games (the German concept of "Vereinsleben").
Week 4: Online shopping and communication. Expressing wishes.
Week 5: Making a complaint (product purchase, at a restaurant, and at the hairdresser).
Week 6: In the workplace (using the correct register in spoken and written communications at work).
Week 7: Talking about hopes and dreams (career, relationships, family, home, holidays).
Week 8: Resolving everyday problems and rearranging appointments.
Week 9: Digital and print press. Talking about news, events, weather and understanding adverts.
Week 10: Celebrations and festivals (engaging in conversation at parties and events).
Key grammar points
- Adjectival endings (with a definite/indefinite article).
- Genitive case. Using the Dative case in everyday conversation.
- sich wünschen, Konjunktiv II (with sein or haben), würde + Infinitiv.
- Asking indirect questions with a subordinate clause.
- Simple past (regular, irregular and mixed verbs).
Key functions
- Planning activities and asking for clarification
- Outlining problems, asking for assistance and seeking resolution
- Communicating effectively using different registers in the workplace
- Talking about future plans and dreams
- Engaging in small talk in a social setting
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Additional reading:
No Course book required. All course materials will be provided by the course tutor.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £300.00 |
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.
Paula is a Departmental Tutor in German. She contributes to the Weekly Class programme as well as teaching German and French at the Oxford University Language Centre. She studied at Durham University and previously worked in the City of London before pursing an academic career. She joins us from Regent's University, London.
Enhance learners’ conversational skills in everyday situations to communicate ideas and engage in dialogues with confidence.
Course objectives:
1. Enhance learners' ability to understand spoken language in varied everyday contexts.
2. Encourage learners to use varied and practical vocabulary and grammar structures to express themselves in simple everyday conversations.
3. Improve pronunciation and intonation for clear and accurate communication.
4. Explore the use of appropriate language in everyday social settings (e.g. formal/informal) and etiquette.
Our language courses promote collaborative learning, encouraging peer interaction and real-life activities. You will learn through participating in engaging activities and tasks in the target language. These are likely to include listening tasks, role-plays, pair- and small-group work conducted in a supportive, friendly and informal learning environment. The course has been structured to help you primarily to develop your speaking and listening skills.
By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to:
1. understand short, clear speech on everyday topics and respond appropriately.
2. engage in simple conversations on familiar topics, such as personal information, daily routines, work and leisure activities.
3. gain confidence in initiating and sustaining brief interactions with other speakers, including asking for clarification or repetition when needed.
4. Recognise and appreciate basic cultural differences that may affect communication.
Formative assessment will be implemented through a series of class activities ranging from guided role-plays and structured pair-work to less structured discussions and tasks. Learners will be encouraged to participate in class activities to benefit from tutor feedback.
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
