OVERVIEW

The German language course aims to provide written and oral proficiency corresponding to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in order to develop the inter-/and intracultural skills necessary for working in the local an international tourism sector.

The first semester is devoted to language exercises (60 hours), the second to the theoretical module (54 hours).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Starting Level: A2 Upon completion of the course, students will possess the linguistic and technical skills to respond professionally to the challenges of the tourism industry, independently managing sector-specific communication and documentation.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main objectives of the course are

• to provide basic written and oral command of the German language in order to meet demand in the tourism sector
• to bring the students to a level of proficiency in the German language at B1 level of the Common European Framework for Languages. The four skills of oral and written comprehension and production will be developed, with a focus on oral skills
• teaching will focus on aspects relating to the development of the main lexical, morphosyntactic and phonetic skills and will explore topics relating to terminological aspects of tourism

Students who successfully complete the course 

• will know the basic and specific linguistic structures of the language of tourism in German
• will have in-depth knowledge of the phonetics/phonology and morphosyntax of the German language
• will be able to converse correctly on general everyday and tourism-related topics
• will be prepared to prepare and present the results of a research in tourism
• will have the adequate knowledge to identify the characteristics of different types of texts in the field of tourism (publicity, administrative, advertising, contractual texts, etc.)
• will know how to use tourism-related terminology in German and will be prepared to adopt communicative strategies for the various types of text in the field of tourism

PREREQUISITES

In a week to be indicated, a self-assessment test will be available in order to check that the incoming language skills correspond to the required A2 level. Based on the score obtained from the test, the teacher will announce who is in possession of the A2 level. Those who do NOT meet the required entry level will be able to fill in their gaps by using additional consolidation material.

More information is available in the Aulaweb area.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons are in presence. The lessons, both the exercises and the theoretical module, have the character of a participative lesson and therefore envisage the active involvement of students. Visits and ‘on-site’ lessons will be planned at specific company realities in the tourism sector.

Attendance is strongly recommended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities  and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Elena Lagomarsino elena.lagomarsino@unige.it, the Department's disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will develop the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with a specific focus on the oral skills required to work in the tourism sector.

Language Classes (Lettorato)

Communicative functions based on the following thematic areas: hotels, restaurants, tourist information offices, and tour operators:

Begrüßung und Empfang der Gäste (Greeting and welcoming guests)

Kundenanfragen verwalten (Managing customer inquiries)

Kunden Informationen erteilen (Providing information to customers)

Vorschlag touristischer Angebote (Presenting tourism packages/offers to customers)

Probleme der Kunden lösen (Handling customer complaints and requirements)

Language Structures:
Review and in-depth study of the main grammatical structures corresponding to the students' proficiency level.

Theoretical Module

Was ist Tourismus? (Introduction to tourism)

Hotelarten (Types of accommodation / hotel types)

Fokus auf: Agenda 2030 - barrierefreier Tourismus (In-depth focus: Agenda 2030 - accessible tourism)

Unterwegs: Im Flugzeug - Am Bahnhof - Kreuzfahrten (On the move: at the airport, at the train station, on cruises)

Fokus auf: Kreuzfahrten: Simulazione a bordo di una nave della flotta MSC (In-depth focus: Cruises - Onboard simulation on an MSC fleet ship. The specific topic will be announced at the beginning of the course)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For language exercises (I semester): 

Anja Schümann, Cordula Schuring, Brigitte Schäfer, Frauke van der Werff, Menschen im Beruf-Tourismus- (A2), Hueber Verlag

materials provided by the lecturer and uploaded onto aulaweb

For the theoretical module (2nd semester)

Cinzia Medaglia, Miriam Bertocchi, Sabine Werner, Reisekultur NEU- Deutsch für Tourismus- Poseidonia Scuola

materials provided by the lecturer and uploaded onto aulaweb

Students with DSA will be entitled to compensatory and dispensatory measures by agreement with the teacher.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Language coursework (60 hours): first semester starting from late September 2026
Theoretical module (54 hours): second semester starting from mid-February 2027

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Language coursework and theoretical module: oral examination (report on the corporate placement experience and main course topics).

The final grade is calculated as the average of the two components (50% language coursework + 50% theoretical module)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Language exercises and theoretical module: assessment of communicative functions learned  and oral interview-presentation of research work done based on the company experience.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities, with SLD or with SEN are reminded that, to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their certification to the University website at servizionline.unige.it<https://servizionline.unige.it/>, in the “Students” section. The documentation will be checked by the University’s Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with SLD.

At the beginning of the course, students are advised to contact the lecturer to agree on exam arrangements which, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account.

To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available athttps://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.

Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Elena Lagomarsino, atinclusione.economia@unige.it<mailto:inclusione.economia@unige.it>, and the Inclusion Office atinclusione.studenti@info.unige.it<mailto:inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it>.
Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected.