Review

Author(s): Joshua R. Brown

Review by: Joshua R. Brown
Source: Die Unterrichtspraxis / Teaching German, Vol. 42, No. 2 (Fall 2009), pp. 201-203
Published by: Wiley on behalf of the American Association of Teachers of German
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40608645
Accessed: 13-08-2016 11:20 UTC

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 BOOK REVIEWS 201

cludes a textbook,
Kollegen von workbook, audio CDs, teacher's
Inte
europischen
guide, Redemittel reference booklet, and addi- Ref
Lerner tional
auf die
CD material for often-neglected discourse Pr
items like interjections and modalWie
vorbereiten. particles. The b
won textbook and workbook can be purchased
Deutsch in sepa- er
uerst kommun
rately or combined together in two volumes.
chen und The textbook is divided into 12 Lektionen,
hchsten
Klassenzimmer
each containing six two-paged units. Although the leg
Tobias Barske chapter topics allow for flexibility, the texts and ex-
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point ercises gradually increase with difficulty, so the in-
structor is cautioned against too much variation.
Intra-chapter flexibility is more feasible. At the bot-
Daniels, Albert, et al. Mittelpunkt: Deutsch als of the introductory page in each Lektion
tom right
Fremdsprache fr Fortgeschrittene. Lehr-
are the chapter's goals, which are later reiterated in
buch. Level B2. Stuttgart: Wert, 2007. Paper, 184 right of each of the Lektion' s two-paged
the upper
pp., 19.95. units. The margins contain referencing information
like skills practiced (listening, reading, writing,
26.95. Level B2. speaking), reference to CD track number for audio
exercises, and testing relevance for both the Goe-
2007. Paper, 192 pp. + audio
the-Zertifikat CD,
and TELC 16.95.
Deutsch. Although the
textbook lacks both a glossary and index, the table
B2. 2007. Paper, 127ofpp.,
contents is13.95.
comprehensive enough to contain in-
formation regarding the Lektion number, the
Lektion 1-6. Level B2.1.
learning2008. Paper,
goals, grammar, 199 pp.
and page reference. Im-
+ audio CD, 19.95. portantly, as is seen throughout the text, is the
proactive and more enabling wording for the bene-
B2.1. Lektion 1-6. Level B2. 14.95. fit of the learner: Kannbeschreibung alongside
Lernziel and Sprachhandlung alongside Gram-
matik. At
Lektion 7-12. Level B2.2. the end of the textbook
Stuttgart: is a reference
Wert, 2008.
Raper, 214 pp. + audio CD,
grammar with 19.95.
explanations and helpful visual cues
like colors and arrows.
B2.2. Lektion 7-12. Level B2. 14.95. In accordance with CEFR standards, learner-
centered, learner-enabled, action-oriented, and so-
Level B2 + Cl. Stuttgart: Wert,
cial aspects 2008.
of the learning Pper,
process are 61
pushed to the
pp., 6.95. forefront in the conceptualization of this text. In par-
ticular, the presentation of real-life communicative
fortgeschrittene situations
Deutsch-Lerner. Level
is given as a larger goal for the individual
B2 + Cl. Mini-DVD, 19.95.
Lektionen. Rather than structuring each unit around
grammar, each Lektion covers an everyday or
www. klett. de/mittelpunkt
work-related theme, e.g., Reisen, Schn, Dinge,
Klett's newest textbook
Kooperation,series Mittelpunkt
Natur. More novel chapter themes like is a
monolingual German "ohne
textbook for seem
Sprache" and "Gefhle" more interme
out of place
diate-advanced learners, specifically
in a language textbook, yet importantthose
cultural in- wishin
to advance to level B2 oflike
formation the
gesturesCommon
and language mediation Europea
Framework of Reference for
are provided. The Languages
grammar is also structured ac- (CEFR)
Level B2 indicates an independent
cording to the SOS-Grammatik (Sammeln, user at the
"vantage" stage and Ordnen, is the precursor
Systematisieren) and students are to C-levels
often
The main goal of this textbook
encouraged series
to interpret the grammatical is to se
forms de-
achievements in line with CEFR standards and to ductively. Most exercises for grammatical practice
prepare students for the Goethe-Institut's Goe- are included in the workbook component, while
the-Zertifikat B2 or The European Language Cer- the textbook exercises are reserved for role-plays,
tificate (TELC) Deutsch B2. The publisher's web- free-speaking, interviews, reading comprehen-
site also notes that this text series can be used tosion, as well as written expressions in the target lan-
prepare students for TestDaF or DSH. The series in- guage with an emphasis on individual responses.

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 202 P 42.2 (Fall 2009)

Vocabularyand decipher the intentions behind theare

lists interjec- no
book, but tions, butare
also provide severalavailabl
exercises for deci-
website. phering the meaning and the
Again importance of modal activ
pected in vocabulary
particles (doch, eigentlich, etc.) in discourse.
throughout The teacher'stheguide is an excellent
text.
resource. It W
sented in provides
word a crash-course in Germanboxes,language ped- t
accompanying
agogy with mention of classroom exercise
activities like
items they already
concept (mind) maps, but also provides helpful tips kno
cabulary on giving feedback, conducting
items theygroup work, and kn
becomes apresentations. The teacher's guide has a large sec-
word-buildin
mantic tion on games and
field projects based on the Lektio-
similarity
may not nen.necessarily
Naturally added information on the Goethe- b
guidelines,Zertifikat isunits like
included, as well as sample tests. o
with exercises Although the text has manydealing
merits for the Ger- w
man language classroom
bureaucratic forms, it does have considerable are
pare students
drawbacks. The format is for
often confusing with study
ex-
The accompanying
ercises presented like a laundry list on the page. As wo
grammaticalsuch the exercisesexercises
do not really focus on develop- f
contextualized grammar
ment of skills within chapters, rather they seem like
of the just a set of activities presented are
exercises in a structured fash-
fair
answers. ion to the learner. Additionally, too much writing
However, they
in an everyday or
often takes the place of more visual descriptionswor
of
environment,grammatical points and forconcepts. Although aexam
main
tivities drive behind the text is to coincide with the CEFR
involving maki
logue more standards,polite.
the traditional skills (reading, writing,
At th
checklist listening,
with and speaking) are stillsmiley-
referenced in the
gauge theirmargins, but progress
(in agreement with the CEFR) are an
also treated as Rezeption,
includes a Interaktion,
sample and Produktion G
an answer in the
key.teacher's guide. MostPerhaps
likely because the text
is oriented toward
significantly a certain examination, the
underrepre
book is CEFR component of mediation (Sprachmittlung)
pronunciation. P
deductive, is missing from the overview provided in the
learner-cent
focusing teacher's guide
on theand in the margin references
Knackl
pected to throughout
listen the text. A possible explanation
and for its rat
examples. In
absence here is that effect,
this aspect is rarely tested on th
the examinations. However, in
Knacklaut the textbookthe authors sp
students were keen to include
to pay a special unit on mediation in
attenti
German phonetics.
Lektion 5: Verhandeln statt streiten. Although the
The book represented minorities well throughout
Redemittel guide the
both B2 and Cl
text in a variety of levels
roles, it is unfortunate that a text o
offers geared more toward
space to the learner
writelacks inclusion of in
pressions, the
people with disabilities form
and includes only more tra-
Redemittel
ditionalmakes
gender-pairings in the section on this
marriage. ad
odd concept. Additionally stereotypical
The imagery, e.g.,audio
a French-
cises from both the textbook and the workbook. man with striped shirt and beret in a workbook ex-
Not only do the tracks include more realistic back- ercise, are still present. American instructors may
ground noise, like music, dishes clinking, and cof-find the ACTFL component of Comparisons to be
fee pouring, but the speakers attempt more naturallacking, as most of the production activities require
intonation and casual speech, although still atan expression of opinion or fact, rather than critical
times too stilted and scripted. Most attractive is the cultural comparison. Even a role-play project
Interjektionen CD, which includes audio clips of in- based on foreign cultures in the teacher's guide is
terjections, those discourse features that are oftensituated more toward describing what is taking
regrettably ignored in foreign language pedagogy.place in a role-play, rather than actively comparing
The accompanying worksheets not only practicecultures and making connections.

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 BOOK REVIEWS 203

exercises gradually increase

Regardless, the with difficulty. At the
text
aration for
bottom certain
right of each Lektion's introductory page
ment tests, in
are the goals with specific part
unit goals listed at the top
An ennobling feat
right of each of the two-paged units. There are also
references
proactive to the traditional skills (listening, read-
involvemen
process,ing, by writing, speaking), CD tracks, and test rele-
encoura
learning vance goals,
(Goethe-Zertifikat, TELC Deutsch, and
dedu
on the learning pro
TestDaF) in the margins. There is no index, but the
Joshua K. Brown comprehensive table of contents suffices. A con-
The Pennsylvania State University cluding reference grammar contains structural ex-
planations.
As with the B2 series, the proactive and en-
VII. Advanced German Textbooks abling wording resonates with a more achievable,
approachable, and learner-friendly design - echo-
Daniels, Albert, et al. Mittelpunkt: Deutsch als
ing aspects of CEFR standards for learner-centered
Fremdsprache fr Fortgeschrittene.and Lehr-
-enabled / -enabling approach. Realia in both
text and183
buch. Level Cl. Stuttgart: Klett, 2008. Paper, conversation prompts present the learner
pp., 19.95. with a more useful and contextually more enriching
curriculum. The topics for the Lektionen are fairly
2008. Paper, 199 pp. innovative
+ audio CD,
as well. Topics 16.95.
promoting integration
into the larger German-speaking community like
Cl. 2008. Paper, 135 "Netzwerke"
pp., and 13.95.
"Im Einsatz" promote interper-
sonal skills alongside more humanities-styled top-
Lektion 1-6. Level Cl.l.
ics like2008. Fkper,
"Kunst" and the 200
inclusion of poetry selec- pp.
+ audio CD, 19.95. tions. Language taboos and banking situations,
long relegated to either formal linguistic or business
Cl.l. Lektion 1-6. Level German
Cl, 14.95.
courses are welcome additions. Indeed
talking about taboos provides the students with
Lektion 7-12. Level C1.2.considerably
2008.underrepresented
Fkper,metalinguistic
216 pp.
+ audio CD, 19.95. practice. Additional language strategies are present
throughout the components, like presenting a pro-
teil C1.2. Lektion 7-12. Level
ject, taking notes, C2, 14.95.
summarizing a text, and so on.
www.klett.de/mittelpunkt
Within the Lektion, grammar is presented fol-
lowing the SOS-Grammatik (Sammeln, Ordnen,
Klett's newest textbookSystematisieren). Learners are encouraged
series, Mittelpunkt, is aoften
monolingual German textbook for
to deduce grammatical intermedi-
forms and only secondarily
ate-advanced learners. The Cl series mirrors the reference them in the grammar section. Most exer-
format and goals of the B2 series (see above). The
cises for structural applications are found in the
Cl series targets learners gauged at the Common workbook, while activities in the textbook include
European Framework of Reference for Languages (but are not limited to) role-plays, interviews, read-
(CEFR) level Cl. As such, a main goal of this series
ing comprehension, and written expressions in the
L2, with an emphasis on individual response.
is to align learners' achievements with CEFR stan-
dards as well as prepare them for the Goe- Perhaps one of the largest drawbacks of the text
the-Institut's Goethe-Zertifikat Cl, The European is the lack of in- text vocabulary lists. As with the B2
Language Certificate (TELC) Deutsch Cl, series, they are available on the publisher's
TestDaF; or DSH. Level Cl indicates an independ- website. This is especially disheartening given the
ent user at the "effective operational proficiency"amount of reading selections in both the textbook
and workbook. While some words, phrases, and
stage and is the first level of the "proficient user"
category. The series includes a textbook, work- idiomatic expressions are presented in word boxes,
book, audio CDs, and teacher's guide. The text- the learner is invited in accompanying exercises to
book and workbook can be purchased separately elaborate on the vocabulary, for example choosing
or combined together in two volumes. which word does not belong, and antonym- and
The textbook is divided into 12 Lektionen, synonym-matching. Idioms are also given light in
each containing six two-paged units. The texts the
andworkbook, as in the section on idioms referenc-

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