Lektionsüberblick

Most of you are learning German as a part of your course of studies in college. You may have chosen your major (and, perhaps, minors) with a specific career in mind or you may be still contemplating what you want to do after graduation. This lesson’s focus is on the reason behind your chosen major. You will be encouraged to think about what profession you will enter after graduation.  In the end, you will be able to talk about 1) typical student jobs and internships and your current work situation, 2) typical professions and your planned profession, and 3) your reasons for your chosen field of study.

1) Mein Studierendenjob

It’s common for many students to have to work part-time (Teilzeit) or have a side gig while going to school. Musst du während des Studiums arbeiten? Hast du zurzeit einen Nebenjob? Do you have to work while you are in school? Do you have a part-time job? Read and listen to the character respond to this question below.

Now read and listen to the students talk about working while in college.

For more examples of jobs, read and listen to the jobs given below.

Let’s practice.

Perhaps instead of a job, you have an internship to help prepare you for your career. In German, an internship is called a Praktikum. Doing a Praktikum is very common in Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In fact, internships are often an important or required part of education in these countries. Listen as Sandor talks about his upcoming internship in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Notice the use of the verb werden to show the future tense and other structures you have recently learned to express goals.

Nächstes Semester mache ich ein Praktikum bei Hilti in Schaan. Ich werde dort im Bereich Technik arbeiten und praktische Erfahrungen sammeln. Ich hoffe, dass ich viel lerne und mein Deutsch im Arbeitsalltag verbessern kann. Ich freue mich sehr auf diese neue Erfahrung.

Let’s practice.

Mülhausen (Frankreich) im Blickpunkt

In Mülhausen gibt es in der Altstadt viele bunte und schön bemalte Häuser. Die Gebäude haben oft helle Farben, Holzbalken und kleine Verzierungen und sie zeigen den typischen Stil der Region Elsass. Früher bemalten die Menschen ihre Häuser, um Stolz zu zeigen und die Stadt schöner zu machen. Heute sind diese bunten Häuser eine beliebte Sehenswürdigkeit für Besucher.

In Mulhouse, the old town boasts many colorful and beautifully painted houses. The buildings often feature bright colors, exposed wooden beams, and delicate decorative details, showing the typical architectural style of the Alsace region. Historically, people painted their houses to express pride and beautify the city. Today, these vibrant houses are a popular attraction for visitors.

2) Mein zukünftiger Beruf

There is a seemingly infinite variety of professions and professional occupations. The following is a selection of different types of jobs you might want to have in the future. On each card, be sure to listen to the audio and read each sentence aloud in order to build your passive vocabulary.

Let’s practice with these activities.

Now, listen as Jan gives his answer. Can you tell what he would like to be von Beruf? What words clue you in that he is talking about the future?

🎥You can watch Jobchancen nach dem Studium: Worauf du achten musst: A 7-minute video with tips on how to find a good job after you have graduated. Watch out! Luis speaks very quickly!

3) Meine Studiumwahl

You are probably now confident in answering, “Was studierst du?” or “Wo arbeitest du?” Read and listen below to Sebi and Claudia’s answers to these questions, paying special attention to how they expand their answers to include reasons behind their choices.

   Sebi: Ich studiere Informatik im Hauptfach und Musik im Nebenfach. Musik gefällt mir besser als der Computer, aber in der Zukunft kann ich mehr Geld im IT-Bereich verdienen. Deswegen will ich Software-Entwickler oder IT-Berater werden. Im Moment arbeite ich Teilzeit beim Apple Store.

  Claudia: Ich studiere Medizin, weil ich Ärztin werden möchte. Ich will Menschen helfen und gleichzeitig eine stabile Karriere aufbauen. Zurzeit arbeite ich ehrenamtlich im Krankenhaus.

Consider the structures Sebi and Claudia used to express their study and work situations and why they are doing what they do.

Ich studiere…, weil…
Ich arbeite…, weil…
Ich möchte…werden (I would like to become a…)
Ich werde… werden. (I will become a…)
Deswegen will ich… werden. (That is why I want to become a…)

Let’s practice.

Media Attributions

• Welches Bild passt zu welchem Beruf? Matching Activity by Karl Frist adapted from ZUM-Apps, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 International License.
• Berna und Jan’s interviews by Zsuzsanna Abrams are adapted from Deutsch im Blick, licensed under CC BY 4.0 International license.