Lesen, Improvisieren, Erzählen Practice Book

Table of Contents:
Unit 1 Die Kuchenuhr Unit 2 Mechanischer Doppelganger Unit 3 Ein netter Kerl Unit 4 Die Brucke Unit 5 Der Irrlaufer Unit 6 Anekdote zur Senkung der Arbeitsmoral

About the Author :
Martina Esser: Head of Foreign Languages and Classics as well as Deputy Manager for Quality and Higher Education at Exeter College, she is also a Principal Examiner for Cambridge International Examinations and has worked for other major exam boards in the past. She is an experienced writer of German and French textbooks and has many years experience of teaching both Language B for the International Baccalaureate and A level. She has also been involved in teacher education for many years. Ted Neather: After teaching French and German in schools, he became Adviser for Modern Languages to the Somerset Local Education Authority and then Director of Summer Schools at the Open University, before moving to Exeter where he was Senior Lecturer in Education. During the Summer Semester 1992 he was Visiting Professor of Education at the University of Dresden. Until retirement he was Chief Examiner for French and German with the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and Principal Scrutineer for German with QCA. He has served on numerous government bodies concerned with the teaching and testing of foreign languages, and has lectured and written extensively on French, German and English education as well as on aspects of language teaching methodology. Annette Duensing: Senior Lecturer and Staff Tutor in the Department of Languages, Faculty of Education and Language Studies at the Open University, UK, Annette has written and reviewed numerous German study materials and contributed chapters to pedagogical and student books on language teaching and learning.

Review :
As a German native speaker, it is a tricky task to find German literature texts that non-native students are able to tackle and enjoy. 'Lesen, improvisieren, erzahlen' achieves exactly that. Consisting of 6 units that revolve around 6 short stories, all written by acclaimed German writers such as Heinrich Boll, the textbook not only consolidates their reading skills, but involves students in vocabulary activities and grammatical structures which stimulate their critical thinking. The short stories range from family relationships - which enable IB Sixth Form students to relate to them - to political, historical and social issues to the world of technology. All units are broken down into logical and digestible steps which don't overwhelm weaker students, but ensure that the topic-specific vocabulary and content is easily understood. Teachers will appreciate the teacher's and student's section - of which the latter one can be copied for in-class use. The added vocabulary lists at the end of each unit are particularly helpful and useful for revision. Without a doubt, 'Lesen, improvisieren und erzahlen' makes a very welcome addition to the teacher's classroom, the students' knowledge and the benefit of the German language in the MFL environment. This book is recommended as an essential purchase. Conny Brock, Scarborough College, UK "All the stories are well chosen and relevant to the AS/A2 as well as the I.B. course. The idea of the book suits the needs of teachers and students as it allows flexibility in course design and combination with other material. Focus on personal involvement rather than factual knowledge helps to maintain interest and commitment. The book certainly offers itself for assistant lessons as smaller groups can exchange ideas on speculative tasks more freely. 'Lesen, improvisieren, erzahlen' is a great contribution, as it can easily be integrated into a challenging and stimulating AS/A2 course" Newsletter of the Independent Schools Modern Languages Association. Katrin Fox This is certainly a refreshing approach for teachers weary of discussing one social problem after the next. The authors of this book are clearly in touch with the linguistic level of students at A level.' 'Unlike many A level textbooks, which leave text exploitation up to the creativity of the teacher or require teachers to adapt material in order to make it suitable for the classroom, the exercises provided do this work for the teacher, suggesting answers, giving background information and providing the teacher with ready made lesson plans.' 'This is the kind of book that a hard pressed A level teacher or one lacking confidence in their own linguistic skills can pick up and use immediately to renew students' interest in both language skills and German culture... The exercises should also provide a basis for genuine expression of opinion amongst students and encourage them to look at the detail of texts. In my view this is definitely a resource worth buying.' Anne Snell, Solihull Sixth Form College. Deutsch Lehren und Lernen