Lektionsüberblick

With your future profession more or less in mind, let’s look at the different kinds of Arbeitsplätze und Industrien (workplaces and industries). Which one(s) can you see yourself in after graduation? This lesson will also introduce you to some of the workplace similarities and differences between German-speaking Europe and the US. Knowing about the kinds of workplaces and the language of salary and social contributions will give you the necessary background information, when looking for a job in German-speaking Europe. In the end, you will be able to 1) talk about typical work places and where you plan to work, 2) talk about typical industries and where you plan to work, and 3) recognize the language of salary and social contributions.

1) Arbeitsplätze

The places of employment in Liechstenstein and beyond are similar to those here in the United States. As you will see in the following presentations, you can talk about a place of employment in a number of ways. The first presentation will briefly introduce you to some generalized workplaces (like an office or factory). Be sure to listen and read along with the slides. Für welches interessierst du dich? 

NOTE: On the left side you will see a form of werden as a standalone verb, which means to become. On the right, you will see a form of werden along with a base verb at the end of the sentence. You have learned this structure this semester – what does it mean?

Eupen (Belgien) im Blickpunkt

Eupen ist eine Stadt im Osten Belgiens in der Provinz Lüttich. Dort spricht man hauptsächlich Deutsch, weil die Region früher zu Deutschland gehörte und erst nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg Teil von Belgien wurde. Heute ist Eupen das Zentrum der deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft Belgiens und hat eigene Schulen und Institutionen auf Deutsch. Im etwa 30 Kilometer entfernten Eschweiler in Deutschland gibt es einen Stadtteil mit dem Namen Klee Oepe („Klein Eupen“), wo sich bis zur frühen Neuzeit die Eupener und die Kölner auf halbem Wege zum Pferdehandel trafen. Hier kann man belgisches Platt hören.

 

Eupen is a town in eastern Belgium in the province of Liège, near the border with Germany. German is the predominant language there because the region formerly belonged to Germany and became part of Belgium only after the First World War. Today, Eupen is the center of the German-speaking community of Belgium and has its own German-language schools and institutions. 30km away from Eupen in Eschweiler, Germany, there is a neighborhood called Klee Oepe (“Little Eupen”), where horse dealers from Eupen and Cologne met halfway to trade until the early modern period.

2) Industrien und Branchen

The industries in Liechstenstein and beyond are also similar to those here in the United States. This second presentation will more expansively introduce you the various economic sectors and respective Industrien. Be sure to listen and read along with the slides. Für welches interessierst du dich? 

3) Gehälter und Sozialabgaben

Like the US, German-speaking Europe also differentiates between salaried positions and those with hourly wages. Where the two geographic areas differ significantly is things that are considered workplace benefits in the US vs. workers’ rights in German-speaking Europe.  The following presentation gives you a very brief overview of the complex and nuanced topic of Gehälter (salaries) and Sozialabgaben (social contributions). The following lesson will provide you an overview of other workplace benefits (Arbeitgeberleistungen).

Let’s review.

Media Attributions

• Eupen facts adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA International License 4.0.