Why not try German at Ochanomizu University?

Many of us seem to think we don’t have much focus on German at Ochanomizu University. It is true that we don’t currently have that major, course or many professors. “These days, however, this has been changing,” says Natsuki Yamamoto who previously studied at Cologne University in Germany.

According to her, Japanese students themselves, as well as the University, are now voluntarily working for that change. They invite new professors and increase the number of teaching materials available at LSC (Language Study Commons, located on the 1st floor at Inter-Faculty Building 3)

Let’s see our current activity with regard to German in Ocha Uni!

1.Deutsches Café

Deutsches Café is the community place where we can have conversations in German, read the news and exchange our ideas. It has been held regularly and recently, we invite French students with the skill of German to chat at lunch time in a small group. If you wish to have the chance to speak German other than at class, why not join us? :)

2.Schritt für Schritt!(ドイツ語自主勉強会)

Schritt für Schritt! is a German language study group which started last year. It has been organized mainly by students who have studied abroad and in this group, they take in the German teaching style, which they found pretty efficient in which seniors lecture juniors.

Last year, we mainly focused on the review of introductory grammar and also gave them the topics which students have an interest in and are useful for their theses at other times. German children book was referred last time.

Currently, NEW MEMBERS WANTED: those who wish to take the Zertifikat (German proficiency test like IELTS) or read German in the original writing. We also tell you the way to find the proper textbooks. We recommend this to those who wish to start new second (or third and more?? kk) language. Actually studying is hard but has lots of fun! Do not hesitate even if you are unsure of your ability in reading German by yourself. We will support you!

 With these actions, now new wind is blowing toward German in Ocha Uni☺

I hope that this kind of trigger will be brought into other language courses, which will result in the much more globalized atmosphere in this university in the future!

Writer: Natsuki Yamamoto

Editor: Akane Ise