Business German - Marianne Howarth

The "Absolute Beginners" business language series is designed for learners who have no previous knowledge of German, looking for a course which will give them a thorough grounding in the basics of the language, while concentrating on the situations and vocabulary needs of someone working in a foreign business environment. The series should also be useful to learners with a limited knowledge of the language who want to work quickly through a basic revision course. This title follows the experiences of an English placement student on her first day at the Firma Continental. In the course of the first three chapters, she meets her new colleagues, is shown around the offices and is gradually introduced to the work of the company. The remaining three chapters show various activities such as escorting visitors, explaining the company to an important visitor, telephoning, making travel arrangements, ordering from a menu and making invitations. Each chapter contains four dialogues, each of which is accompanied by a comprehensive series of exercises designed to encourage the active participation of the learner. Brief notes at the end of the dialogues offer useful tips on language use, and these are complemented by short, simple grammar explanations. At the end of each chapter, a revision section takes the student back over the main points of the chapter. This is followed by a detailed checklist of the language and communication skills that have been covered. The emphasis throughout the course is on understanding, participation and effective communication. There is also a support book/cassette pack available, and the title acts as an ab initio course, leading on to "Hotel Europa Deutschland".