So far, we have worked on increasing our active and passive vocabularies with travel words related to kinds of travel, methods of transportation, lodging, and sightseeing so that we can plan and book travel.

Now we will turn our attention to some of the language necessary when in the process of the travel, checking into flights and hotels, navigating delayed train connections, asking for help, and understanding directions. At the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand key vocabulary and interact with German speakers 1) during travel/transportation to and at your destination, 2) following directions, and 3) understanding travel complications.

1) Transportmittel benutzen

Remember that many of the students in this unit are making travel plans. Claudia is traveling to Mallorca, while Sebi and Katelyn are traveling to Liechtenstein. Read and listen to the information on each slide to see how each student might communicate with staff on the ground at the airport, train station, and bus station. Try to guess what the purple highlighted words mean based on the context and your expectation of what might be discussed in these situations.

Let’s practice!

Liechtenstein im Blickpunkt

Liechtenstein ist ein sehr kleines Land, aber fast das ganze Land liegt in den Alpen. Ein großer Teil der Landschaft besteht aus Bergen und steilen Hängen. Es gibt in Liechtenstein keine wirklich flachen Gebiete, nicht einmal im Rheintal. Der höchste Berg des Landes heißt Grauspitz, ist 2.599 Meter (8.527 Fuß) hoch und liegt in der Gemeinde Triesen. Deshalb ist Liechtenstein besonders bekannt für seine alpine Natur und seine schönen Berglandschaften.

Liechtenstein is a very small country, but almost the entire country lies in the Alps. A large part of the landscape consists of mountains and steep slopes. There are no truly flat areas in Liechtenstein, not even in the Rhine Valley. The highest mountain in the country is called Grauspitz; it is 2,599 meters (8,527 feet) high and is located in the municipality of Triesen. For this reason, Liechtenstein is especially known for its alpine nature and its beautiful mountain landscapes.

2) Wegbeschreibungen

3) Verspätungen und Ausfälle

As can happen in any country while traveling, delays and cancellations are also a possibility while traveling in German-speaking countries, especially since many people rely on public transportation. Read through the slides to understand how to discuss travel and sightseeing issues that may occur while traveling.

Let’s practice.

Read as Sebi encounters a specific problem. What do you understand? Check your comprehension with the questions that follow the slides.

Let’s check your reading comprehension!