Short Stories in German for Intermediate Learners

Synopsis

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young adult and adult intermediate learners of German.

Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too!
- Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers

Short Stories in German for Intermediate Learners has been written especially for students from a low-intermediate to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to B1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories will both entertain you and give you a feeling of progress when reading.

What does this book give you?

· Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary
· Controlled language at your level, to help you progress confidently
· Realistic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability
· Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way
· Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding
· Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'

With intriguing plots that will spark your imagination and keep you reading, Short Stories in German for Intermediate Learners will take your grasp of German to the next level with key features to support and consolidate your progress, including:

· A glossary for bold-face words in each text
· A bilingual word list
· Full plot summary
· Comprehension questions after each chapter.

As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in German for Intermediate Learners uses reading as the perfect tool to not only delight in learning German, but to accelerate your journey towards fluency.

Use the codes inside the book and ebook to access a bonus story for free and the discounted audiobook on our Language Readers Library site or on the Language Readers app.

Summary

This book is an excellent resource for intermediate learners of German who want to improve their language skills by reading short stories. It is divided into 24 short stories, each with its own story line, that help teach intermediate grammar structures, idioms, and expressions.

The first chapter is called Der Wundervogel and is about a little girl named Klara who lives in a small village near the forest. One day she finds an injured bird in the forest and decides to take care of it by feeding it and making it a shelter. In the end, the bird is fully healed and flies away. This story introduces readers to several everyday German expressions, such as "Gute Nacht sagen" (to say goodnight) and "Bitte schön" (please) as well as the verb "versorgen" (to provide care).

The second chapter is titled Das verzauberte Haus and is about a family of four who discovers a mysterious old house in the woods. Eventually, they are able to find out that it is a magical house that is full of surprises and secrets. In this chapter, language learners are introduced to idiomatic expressions like "es gibt mehr als man denkt" (there’s more than meets the eye) and "ein Geheimnis für sich behalten" (to keep a secret).

The third chapter, Der Regenbogenfisch, is about a girl named Sophie whose dream is to own a pet fish. One day, she finds a beautiful rainbow fish in the river and decides to take it home. From this chapter, language learners can learn verbs of possession such as "haben" (to have) as well as useful words like "Farbvielfalt" (variety of colours).

In chapter four, Der Verlorene Schatz, readers can become acquainted with the old German expression "Verrat an der Jugend" (betrayal of youth). This is the story of a group of children who go in search of an old treasure buried in a ruin. They face many dangers along the way but eventually manage to get the treasure and learn some important lessons about courage and perseverance.

Chapter five, Ein besonderer Tag, is about a special day in the life of a family from a small village. This story introduces the reader to several common used words such as "Stadtfest" (city festival) and "Umarmung" (hug). It also teaches readers how to use the phrase "ein Kompliment machen" (to give a compliment).

In the next chapter, Der verlorene Sohn, language learners will meet a young boy who runs away from home and embarks on a dangerous journey as he searches for a better life. This chapter introduces readers to the familiar German phrases "alles Gute" (all the best) and "Herzlich willkommen" (welcome), as well as common nouns such as "Fremde" (stranger) and "Heimat" (home).

By the time the readers reach the last chapter, Ist alles möglich?, they will have become familiar with everyday expressions and some of the most commonly used words in German. This is the story of a girl named Katya who believes that anything is possible if you just believe. This chapter teaches several important German idioms, such as "Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt" (Hope dies last) and "Man kann nicht allen gefallen" (you can’t please everyone).

Overall, this book is a great choice for intermediate learners of German who want to practice their language skills while reading an entertaining story. Each chapter helps to teach a variety of expressions and vocabulary words, and revises important grammar structures. It is also a great way to become more familiar with German culture by learning about some of its most popular sayings and idioms. With 24 stories to choose from, Short Stories in German for Intermediate Learners is a great book for any language learner.