Abstract:

In the beginning stages of foreign language learning, it is best to practice pronunciation very early and it should be closely related to other language skills. Phonetics is best explained and practiced in context. In the teaching books, it is often presented and practiced as an isolated part of the lesson/topic. In foreign language lessons at the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra - Slovakia, we used various textbooks about German as a foreign language (GFL). When choosing textbooks, we responded to the needs of our students who wanted to learn German. Students coming to the course have different phonetic knowledge and have mastered the language at different levels (there are beginners and advanced at level B1 - graduation from high school). An important point of motivation for choosing the German language during studies is future work for a German-speaking employer. We have selected the textbooks “Deutsch in Beruf” (level A2-B1), textbook “Sicher!” (level B1 +), and “Tangram aktuell” (level A1-A2) for specific groups. The textbooks were analysed using quantitative methods, where measurable units for skills and exercises were compared. In two textbooks, phonetic exercises were used only as a separate part without connection with language skills, and in one textbook, exercises for the development of phonetics were missing. Based on this shortcoming, the goal was set to eliminate this shortcoming through our phonetic exercises. We wanted the students to practice correct pronunciation in parallel with the solution of grammar, orthographic, and lexical exercises. In each lesson that should be covered, we have linked the orthographical, lexical, and grammatical focuses with the appropriate relevant sub-areas (prosody, knowledge of pronunciation rules, etc.). It took a lot of effort, but the results - the concrete exercises - were a positive impulse in our German lessons. The paper describes the selected proposed exercises. It is always a challenge when the students do not form homogeneous groups in terms of pronunciation and language level. The correct German pronunciation is an integral part of teaching GFL. During the development of appropriate exercises, one must count with difficulties, but it is not impossible to integrate phonetic material into the relevant lesson.

Keywords:

Foreign language learning, German phonetic, language skills, exercises.