For the first two years, students in the Department of German Studies will undergo thorough learning of the language. Freshmen and sophomores will take German language classes almost every day, totaling six hours per week. Among a variety of classes offered, there is a class in which German and Japanese teachers take turns teaching classes so as to provide all-around learning with an emphasis on “listening, speaking, and reading.”

One characteristic of this department is our “German Theater Research” class. This class has an extended length in which students can participate for a maximum of three years, or six classes. By taking on the challenge of German theater students are inspired to learn German, dramatically increasing their language ability. This is because the process of “learning, performing, and teaching to one’s junior” enormously boosts communication ability. In addition, beginning with the freshman year, “Introduction to German Research I, II, and III” offer diverse areas of specialized learning in German literature, language, economics, history, philosophy, and sociology.

There has been an increasing number of students in the German Studies Department who take a year off from school to go to Germany and graduate after a period of five years. Every year there are about 10 students who make that decision. Of course there have been many students who study abroad without taking any time off in order to graduate in four years. I would like everyone to take advantage of that opportunity.

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