Course Content
Introduction to German Language and Culture
This module introduces the basics of the German language, including the alphabet, pronunciation, and common greetings. It also provides an overview of German-speaking countries and cultural norms to help students understand the language's context.
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German Alphabet and Pronunciation
00:00
Basic Greetings and Farewells
00:00
Introduction to German-speaking Countries and Culture
00:00
Basic Vocabulary and Expressions
Students learn essential vocabulary, including numbers, colors, family terms, and professions. Basic expressions for introducing oneself and asking personal questions are also covered, laying the groundwork for simple interactions.
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Numbers, Days, and Time
00:00
Basic Vocabulary – Colors, Family, and Professions
00:00
Personal Information
00:00
Grammar Fundamentals
This module covers foundational grammar concepts, such as nouns and articles, pronouns, and verb conjugations in the present tense. Students learn how to form simple sentences and questions, which are essential for creating meaningful communication.
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Nouns and Articles
00:00
Pronouns (Personal and Possessive)
00:00
Verbs: Present Tense and Conjugation
00:00
Basic Sentence Structure
00:00
Everyday Conversations
Here, students learn practical language skills for daily life, such as introducing oneself, discussing hobbies, ordering food, and asking for directions. The focus is on conversational phrases that are immediately useful for beginners.
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Introducing Yourself and Others
00:00
Talking about Hobbies and Interests
Shopping and Ordering Food
Asking for Directions and Getting Around
Listening and Reading Comprehension
This module focuses on developing comprehension skills through listening to simple dialogues and reading short texts. Students gain confidence in understanding spoken and written German in everyday contexts.
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Listening Practice – Simple Dialogues
Reading Practice – Short Texts
Review and Practice
In this final module, students review all vocabulary and grammar concepts covered in the course. Practice exercises, a final assessment, and conversational applications reinforce what they've learned and prepare them for real-world usage.
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Review Grammar and Vocabulary
Final Exam and Practical Applications
German A1 Course (Free)
About Lesson

In German, verbs are conjugated to match the subject of the sentence. This lesson focuses on the present tense, the most commonly used tense for daily conversations. Students will learn how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs and practice creating simple sentences.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the structure of the present tense in German.
  2. Conjugate regular verbs in the present tense.
  3. Identify and conjugate common irregular verbs.
  4. Use present tense verbs to create basic sentences.

Lesson Content

1. Structure of Present Tense

The German present tense (Präsens) is used to describe:

  • Actions happening right now: Ich lese ein Buch. (I am reading a book.)
  • General truths: Die Sonne scheint. (The sun shines.)
  • Future plans (with context): Wir gehen morgen ins Kino. (We are going to the cinema tomorrow.)

2. Conjugating Regular Verbs

Regular verbs in German follow a predictable conjugation pattern. To conjugate:

  1. Remove the infinitive ending (-en or -n).
  2. Add the appropriate personal ending to the stem.

Example: Verb spielen (to play)

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Example Sentence
ich (I) spiele Ich spiele Fußball. (I play soccer.)
du (you, informal) spielst Du spielst Gitarre. (You play guitar.)
er/sie/es (he/she/it) spielt Er spielt Klavier. (He plays piano.)
wir (we) spielen Wir spielen Tennis. (We play tennis.)
ihr (you all) spielt Ihr spielt Karten. (You all play cards.)
sie/Sie (they/you formal) spielen Sie spielen Schach. (They play chess.)

3. Common Regular Verbs

Here are some frequently used regular verbs in German:

  • lernen (to learn): Ich lerne Deutsch. – I learn German.
  • machen (to do/make): Du machst die Hausaufgaben. – You do the homework.
  • wohnen (to live): Sie wohnt in Berlin. – She lives in Berlin.
  • arbeiten (to work): Wir arbeiten im Büro. – We work in the office.
  • kaufen (to buy): Ihr kauft Brot. – You (all) buy bread.

4. Conjugating Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs, also called strong verbs, don’t always follow the regular conjugation pattern. They often change their stem vowel in the du and er/sie/es forms.

Example: Verb fahren (to drive)

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Example Sentence
ich fahre Ich fahre nach Hause. (I drive home.)
du fährst Du fährst zur Schule. (You drive to school.)
er/sie/es fährt Er fährt Auto. (He drives a car.)
wir fahren Wir fahren in den Urlaub. (We drive on vacation.)
ihr fahrt Ihr fahrt mit dem Bus. (You all drive with the bus.)
sie/Sie fahren Sie fahren schnell. (They drive fast.)

Common Irregular Verbs:

  • essen (to eat): Du isst. – You eat.
  • sehen (to see): Sie sieht. – She sees.
  • lesen (to read): Er liest. – He reads.
  • laufen (to run): Du läufst. – You run.

5. Modal Verbs (Introduction)

Modal verbs express ability, necessity, or permission. They are conjugated irregularly and are often followed by an infinitive.

Examples:

  • können (can): Ich kann schwimmen. – I can swim.
  • müssen (must): Du musst lernen. – You must study.
  • wollen (want): Wir wollen tanzen. – We want to dance.

6. Exercises

A. Fill in the Blanks (Regular Verbs)

  1. Ich _____ (spielen) Basketball.
  2. Du _____ (lernen) Französisch.
  3. Wir _____ (wohnen) in München.

B. Conjugate Irregular Verbs Conjugate the verbs in the given sentences:

  1. Er _____ (fahren) ein Auto.
  2. Du _____ (essen) einen Apfel.
  3. Sie _____ (sehen) den Film.

C. Create Sentences Using the following verbs, create your own sentences in the present tense:

  • machen (to do)
  • lesen (to read)
  • laufen (to run)

D. Translate into German

  1. I am working in the garden.
  2. She sees a cat.
  3. We are buying bread.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Forgetting the Subject-Verb Agreement
    Ensure the verb ending matches the subject pronoun.

    Example: Incorrect: Ich spielst Fußball.
    Correct: Ich spiele Fußball.

  2. Confusing Regular and Irregular Verbs
    Remember which verbs change their stem vowel in the present tense.

  3. Using Infinitive Instead of Conjugated Form
    Always conjugate the verb in present tense sentences.
    Example: Incorrect: Ich laufen.
    Correct: Ich laufe.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense. You also practiced using verbs in simple sentences, paving the way for more advanced grammar concepts.

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