Using German Vocabulary (Paperback)

~ Sarah M. B. Fagan (Author)
Key Phrases: mit jmdm, von etw, passt zusammen, Welches Wort, Welches Verb, Beschreiben Sie (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This textbook provides a comprehensive and thematically structured vocabulary for undergraduate students of German. Divided into twenty manageable units, it covers vocabulary relating to the physical, social, cultural, economic, and political worlds. Word lists are graded into three levels reflecting difficulty and usefulness, and are accompanied by extensive exercises designed to reinforce work with the lists that is suitable for classroom and private study. Clearly organized and accessible, the volume will meet the needs of a variety of courses in any undergraduate program.

Book Description

This textbook provides a comprehensive and thematically structured vocabulary for undergraduate students of German. Divided into 20 manageable units, it deals with vocabulary relating to the physical, social, cultural, economic, and political world. Word lists are graded into three levels reflecting to difficulty and likely usefulness, and are accompanied by extensive exercises, which are designed to reinforce work done with the lists, and are suitable for classroom and private study. Clearly organized and accessible, Using German Vocabulary will meet the needs of a variety of courses on any undergraduate programme.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 596 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521797004
• ISBN-13: 978-0521797009
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,409 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinarily well thought out vocabulary book, January 26, 2008

By	Magnus Löwenherz "Der Alte" (Wisconsin, USAmerika) - See all my reviews

There is a good selection of German vocabulary books available on Amazon.com and this is one of the more expensive offerings. It is also without question the best value, going far beyond what I've seen in other vocabulary books. The author is clearly determined that people using her text will be able to develop an excellent grounding in German vocabulary and she has provided a very well-designed vehicle for reaching that goal.

You may well be asking, "What can be special about a vocabulary book? Just a list of categorized words!" Seeming to have anticipated that question, the author has provided a lengthy explanation of how and why the words are grouped as they are - twenty thematic areas with multiple sub-themes, each presented in three progressively more challenging levels - as well as why there are a dozen different kinds of exercises and what each kind is designed to accomplish. All this based on academic research on how people learn foreign languages.

For some, the introductory forty-odd pages will probably be worth the price of the entire book, covering word formation, tips on dictionary use, how best to learn vocabulary, a lengthy bibliography, how the book should be used and equally important, how and why the book is designed as it is. Users of this book benefit from the author's painstaking attention to detail intended to insure that readers develop the skills and knowledge they desire. No one should skip over this introductory material as it will handsomely repay your efforts in more efficient and effective learning.

There are 20 Units covering a wide range of thematic areas, although because a unit may contain more than one subject area there are actually 43 thematic areas (e.g., Unit 7 contains three sub-units, 'Perception', 'Color and Light', 'Materials and Textures'). Each thematic area is broken down into three progressively more challenging Levels. The author was clearly successful in providing an arrangement from which the users of this excellent text will benefit and appreciate ever more as they work more deeply into the material. Words common to southern Germany, Austria, etc. are included and so identified, as are colloquialisms.

Each level in each unit is accompanied by a series of exercises. Exercises are a significant component in vocabulary retention, but seem to have been an afterthought in most German vocabulary books. Not so here as Dr. Fagan has obviously given much thought to the creation of clever, challenging, and varied sets of exercises which strongly reinforce what has been learned. These exercises are the jewel in the crown as they are not lacking in subtlety or thoroughness. As you complete each level and accompanying excercises, you can be confident that you have not just memorized a list of words, but have mastered the German vocabulary.

As I said at the outset, there are many German vocabularies, most of them less expensive. But considering the considerable time and effort required to learn a foreign language, the best tool becomes the least expensive tool and no one who uses this book is going to regret the time saved and the enhanced learning gained by having bought the best tool. Using German Vocabulary certainly seems to be just that - the best tool for the job.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, September 12, 2005

By	R. Stanhope (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great resource for people who want to increase their vocabulary. Exactly what I've been looking for after 10 years away from the German language. I wish I had this when I was in college.