GERMAN SENTENCES Vol.1: English & German THIS EDITION: The dual-language text has been arranged into sentences for quick and easy cross-referencing. The text can be used on its own. However, the content is ideal for reinforcing grammar, and as a precursor to more advanced bilingual editions. Volume 1 in this series provides a good general overview of the German language and its grammar. It also includes some of the basic grammar charts. The text uses a bilingual sentence structure to tackle grammar. It can be used as an initial source for understanding German grammar, or as a way of reinforcing an alternative text on grammar. However, it can also be read in a relaxed manner without endeavouring to analyse to excess, thus learning key grammatical concepts in a somewhat passive manner. Topics include Arrival, At the Hotel, Shopping, Getting Around, At a Restaurant, Moving In, Medical Help, Telephone Calls, Invitations, & Conversations. The book can be read in parallel text format (side by side), but can also be read only in English, or only in German. Once a student has studied the basics, a suitable book about basic grammar can be helpful. The suggestion is that any alternative grammar book be studied more with the intent of recognition and understanding, rather than memorising and obsessive rote learning. Go through as much of the grammar book you feel you can digest - maybe even the whole book - skipping over what is not easily understood. Then, read through a portion of text in this book, looking for examples of what you have picked up (or gleaned) in your hopefully not so arduous study of grammar. Then, depending on your inclination, return to the grammar book (or your basic German book), or move on to lengthier bilingual text - like in 2Language Books texts, for example -, or find some suitable German text: a simple novel, a German news website, etc. Grammar books will likely have some verb charts. However, there are currently good on-line resources that go further - dictionaries with a verb conjugation 'search' option. Many basic language books offer some form of audio support. Internet services - primarily news based radio stations - offer podcasts. Audio from television is an additional resource, and can be formatted for use on various digital platforms. However, if audio is an important component of your interest in languages, electronic devices that support quality text-to-speech (TTS) will likely be appealing. With a library card, TTS technology (in a device that supports the relevant content), and the above mentioned resources (as digital content), an entire language learning system is available for not much more than a cup of coffee! There is no substantial financial outlay to get you started. Furthermore, there are no additional ongoing fees (and updates), and there are no expiry dates on 'premium' content and resources. (A Dual-Language Book Project) 2Language Books
