According to Germany.info, “German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe.” With around 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in the EU; however, German is also an official language in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein as well as in Italy’s South Tyrol

German is also a recognized minority language in Denmark, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. Approximately 55 million Europeans speak German as a foreign language. German is the third most taught foreign language around the world and, after English, the second most popular in Europe and Japan.

Germany has the world’s fourth-largest national economy and has been less affected than most by the recent economic downturn. It is second only to China as the world’s largest exporter.

Studying German provides students access not only to a rich literary, philosophical, and artistic tradition, but also to a wide range of cultural, economic, political, and scientific developments.

After completing a Minor in German at Brock, students should be able to read and write competently in the target language, as well as have confidence in speaking the language correctly.

The program includes language courses, as well as courses in literature, culture, and cinema.

German courses

Students in other disciplines may obtain a Minor in German within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:

• GERM 1F90 and 2F00
• one GERM credit
• one GERM literature, film, or culture credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above (see program note 4)

Students are encouraged to participate in both work and study abroad programmes.

Summer Work Programme

Work for three to four months in Germany. Positions range from the hospitality industry to office work. Participants come from universities across Canada. Please contact the Coordinator for German, Diane Bielicki, if you are interested: dbielicki@brocku.ca.