Netzwerk neu A1 is a textbook for (young) adults that introduces them to the German language and cultures of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (D-A-CH) through meaningful communication in their daily lives. With a practical, non-academic focus, this book is well-suited for learners already living in the D-A-CH region and for those who plan to spend a significant amount of time in one of these countries. Presented in a colorful style, with photos and illustrations, the Kursbuch Netzwerk neu A1 (textbook) is entirely in German and accompanied by an Übungsbuch (workbook) and a Lehrerhandbuch (teacher handbook) with four audio CDs and a video DVD. Together, the textbook and the workbook create an immersive learning experience, with further video and online materials for learners and teachers available through the platform Allango (access provided through the hybrid version of the books). With a pluricultural sensibility, it builds bridges across languages by making learners aware of German words used in other languages right from the very beginning. Given its integrative focus on supporting learners in mastering everyday situations, Netzwerk neu A1 is designed to serve as a preparation tool for exams such as Start Deutsch 1 und 2, Goethe-Zertifikat A2, telc Deutsch A2, Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer, ÖSD A1, A2, Goethe-/ÖSD-Zertifikat B1 and Zertifikat Deutsch. The textbook is made up of 12 chapters, each of which is dedicated to a particular topic: introduction, friends and colleagues, navigating a city (using Hamburg as an example), food, family, friends and social activities, work life, health, housing, study and work, shopping, and vacation. The activities apply to real-life contexts and focus on supporting learners in their daily lives in the D-A-CH region. For example, in the chapter on work, learners practice speaking about their work and internship experiences, and the textbook goes into detail to explain how to handle small talk with colleagues. Similarly, the chapter on health addresses practical issues such as going to the doctor or the gym. Acknowledging the need to use media in everyday life, the textbook prepares learners for various forms of communication, such as sending work emails and using fitness apps. In a unit focused on housing, learners learn how to read apartment ads and get acquainted not only with the vocabulary but also with the form. Communication guides the presentation of the most common and useful grammar and vocabulary, which are folded into practical scenarios. Throughout the chapters, explicit grammatical instructions are provided in German in a short, concise manner. At the end of each chapter, there are verb and grammar tables that provide a cohesive overview for learners to reference when learning forms. Learners also engage with grammar through games, such as writing cards with pronouns and nouns and letting partners build sentences. The idea of keeping learners entertained and communicating is also strongly present in the summary platforms, which all start with a board-game layout (“Wiederholungsspiel”). Playing together allows learners to review previous material, practice oral skills, and engage with one another. An important feature of Netzwerk neu A1 is its attention to pluricultural factors. For example, the textbook starts the first chapter with a list of German loanwords used in other languages such as Russian, Turkish, Serbian, and English. In doing so, its authors underscore the interconnectedness of languages and encourage students to think about how their own language relates to the German they are learning. Throughout the book, there are occasional references to other languages. For instance, when the genres of emails and letters are introduced in the summary of the units on work life and hobbies, the example is an invitation to a Spanish language club. English words such as the social media “like” and communication forms such as “chats” are also used to demonstrate their presence in German. The book also attempts to cover the entire D-A-CH region, while introducing readers to sights, foods, and celebrities from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, given the book's aim to stay as close as possible to practical communication settings, topics such as literature, the arts, and music are embedded only in small doses. The teacher handbook of Netzwerk neu provides detailed guidelines and makes the resources eminently accessible for instructors at all levels. To further ease the implementation of the textbook in one's class, the handbook provides examples for adapting the material to specific timeframes and includes commentary on all activities for the Kursbuch as well as the audios and videos. All necessary materials for each lesson (e.g., dictionary, pencils) are marked, and instructions are explicitly given, for example, how to prepare certain copies. Templates for handouts are included, along with a glossary that provides further details on how to instruct learners on their tasks. The information here offers comprehensive guides to in-class assignments, even suggesting ways to prepare students to speak in front of the group. Instructions on how to correct different writing tasks are also included, which more advanced teachers may not need. Given the focus on practical communication, it is understandable that Netzwerk neu A1 might be less suitable for learners who are scholars and want to use German to pursue a research project. Larger historical or political questions are excluded from the thematic frame to focus on the communicative use of German and the mastery of daily-life scenarios. The book is designed for young adults who live in or want to live in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is suitable for adults in general, serving as a valuable resource for orienting students to the German language and daily life in the D-A-CH region. Stefan Lessmann, PhD, Yale University, is a lector at the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at Yale University. He teaches classes on German language and culture, including memory culture and Austrian history, and Comparative Literature.
Stefan Lessmann (Thu,) studied this question.