Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto
The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is pleased to offer German language courses at all levels in 2026–27, from beginner to advanced.
If you already have prior knowledge of German, please contact german.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca to arrange a placement test in order to be placed into the most appropriate course level.
Our courses are open not only to UofT students but also to students from recognized universities worldwide. Visiting students who wish to enrol may apply through the UofT Visiting Student Program.
German Language Course Overview
GER100Y1/GER101H1 Introduction to German
*Enrolment in GER101H1 (Winter 2027) is restricted to students who have been placed into the course through the Placement Test.
This introductory German course is for students with no prior knowledge of the language. It is a year course divided into two sections. Based on a communicative and task-based approach, it is designed to develop proficiency in oral and written communication skills while providing students with knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures of German-speaking countries. Students will develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of stimulating off- and on-line activities, both during live meetings and on the reliable online platform accompanying the textbook. Topics cover areas such as introducing and talking about oneself, shopping, telling time and recounting a day, family life, describing and renting an apartment, travel, health and fitness or studying abroad. Vocabulary will be presented in the context of culturally significant issues. Additionally, the course will provide students with a foundation in a number of basic grammatical structures and concepts. Live online sessions will be devoted mostly to communicative and interactive exercises. In addition to preparation at home, regularly participating in and attending the online sessions is paramount in order to successfully complete the course.
| Section | Time | Instructor in Fall | Instructor in Winter |
| LEC0101 (online) | MW 9-11 | Stefana Gargova | TBD |
| LEC0201 | MW 11-1 | Angela Heinisch | Maria Harutyunyan |
| LEC0301 | TR 9-11 | Eva Scheicher | Somaia Mostafa |
| LEC0401 | TR 1-3 | Rudy Yuan | Lisa Lackner |
| LEC0501 | TR 12-2 | Eliza Auten | Hannah Robinson |
| LEC5101 | MW 5-7 | TBD | Antonio Vivone |
| LEC5201 (online) | TR 6-8 | Tanya Humeniuk | Tanya Humeniuk |
GER200Y1/GER201H1 Intermediate German 1
*Enrolment in GER201H1 (Winter 2027) is restricted to students who have been placed into the course through the Placement Test.
This intermediate German language course builds on skills acquired in beginner’s German. It is a year course divided into two sections and is designed to provide students with genuine communication experiences while reviewing and further developing participants’ linguistic and cultural competencies. Students will have a chance to practice and enhance their German speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by engaging with a variety of texts and media during live classes, as well as on the reliable online platform accompanying the textbook. The themes in the textbook provide a springboard for various online activities, assignments, and vocabulary building tasks. All class readings, videos, projects, and presentations will explore historical, social, political, and popular topics while aspects of Germanic and North American cultures are being compared. Learning strategies and self-assessment are part of every chapter, allowing for differentiation among various types of learners. Students will further practice grammatical structures and acquire vocabulary that will allow them to express opinions, agreements, and disagreements in communicative situations encountered in work, school, and travel. By learning about German, Austrian, and Swiss cities featured in the textbook and supporting materials, students will get to explore regional differences in German-speaking countries. Regular online meetings will be devoted mostly to communicative and interactive exercises and group work. In order to successfully participate in these activities, independent work and preparation are paramount.
| Section | Time | Instructor in Fall | Instructor in Winter |
| LEC0101 | MW 9-11 | Max Weber | Maria Harutyunyan |
| LEC0201 | TR 1-3 | Lisa Lackner | TBD |
| LEC5101 (online) | MW 6-8 | Lisa Lackner | Stefana Gargova |
GER300Y/GER301H Intermediate German 2
*Enrolment in GER301H1 (Winter 2027) is restricted to students who have been placed into the course through the Placement Test.
This intermediate German language course builds on GER200Y. It is a year course divided into two sections and focuses on effective oral and written expression, hearing and reading comprehension, in-depth review of grammar as well as the study of more complex structures. Through engagement with a variety of readings, videos, and films on important historical, cultural, social, and political topics in German-speaking countries, students will have the opportunity to practice grammar and vocabulary in embedded and culturally relevant contexts. The aim of this course is to equip students with the skills to understand extended speech, to read articles on contemporary problems, to describe personal experiences and to explain viewpoints on topical issues in speech and in writing. The textbook offers engaging culture topics, authentic readings, contextualized grammar and a reliable online platform. Regular online meetings will be devoted to communicative and interactive exercises and group work. In order to successfully participate in these activities, independent work and preparation are paramount.
| Section | Time | Instructor in Fall | Instructor in Winter |
| LEC0101 | MW 11-1 | Felix Rössler | Antonio Vivone |
| LEC0201 | TR 5-7 | TBD | Lisa Lackner |
GER400H1 Advanced German 1, Fall 2026
This course is aimed at students with a high level of competence in German. Building on material covered in GER 100/200/300, it offers advanced studies of German language, including text-based analysis and with a focus on improving communication skills. It includes a systematic review and expansion of grammar and stylistics, and additional emphasis lies on vocabulary building. The course is partly based on newspaper articles, literary texts, films and websites.
| Section | Time | Instructor |
| LEC0101 | TR 11-1 | Erol Boran |
GER401H1 Advanced German 2, Winter 2027
This course is aimed at students with a high level of competence in German. Building on material covered in GER 100/200/300, it offers advanced studies of German language, including text-based analysis and with a focus on improving communication skills. It includes a systematic review and expansion of grammar and stylistics, and additional emphasis lies on vocabulary building. The course is partly based on newspaper articles, literary texts, films and websites.
| Section | Time | Instructor |
| LEC0101 | WF 11-1 | Erol Boran |
