Learn German A1 Online | IIT Madras German Language Course | Prof. Milind Brahme
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 4270 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock a New Language and Culture with IIT Madras's Premier German Course
Have you ever wanted to learn German, one of the world's most important languages for business, science, and culture? Your journey begins here. German - I, a comprehensive 12-week online course offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras, is designed to take absolute beginners to a confident elementary level. Guided by an expert faculty with decades of experience, this course provides a solid foundation in both the German language and an understanding of the German-speaking world.
Meet Your Expert Instructors
Learning from the best makes all the difference. This course is led by distinguished educators who bring a wealth of knowledge and practical teaching experience.
Prof. Milind Brahme is your lead instructor. With an MA, M.Phil, and PhD in German language and literature from JNU's Centre of German Studies, he brings over 25 years of teaching experience across diverse contexts. A faculty member at IIT Madras since 2003, his expertise ensures academic rigor and deep cultural insights.
Your teaching assistant, Dr. Sashirekha Srigiriraju, holds an MA from the University of Mumbai and a PhD from IIT Madras. A seasoned language instructor at the Goethe-Institut Chennai since 2010, she has also taught German at IITM, SRM University, and other colleges, offering you practical, student-focused guidance.
Course Overview: What You Will Achieve
German - I is more than just a language class; it's your gateway to a new cultural space. The course aims to:
- Enable you to understand and express yourself in everyday situations.
- Provide a basic orientation towards Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
- Help you grasp fundamental German sentence structures.
- Build a strong foundational vocabulary for effective communication.
Level: Undergraduate
Category: Humanities and Social Sciences
Intended Audience: Anyone with an interest in learning elementary German. No prior knowledge is required.
Industry Support: This course is highly valuable for professionals, companies, and organizations engaged in business or collaborative work with Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Your 12-Week Learning Journey: Course Layout
The course is meticulously structured over 12 weeks, blending thematic vocabulary with essential grammar points for practical application.
| Week | Themes | Key Grammar Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introducing oneself and others | W-questions, personal pronouns, verb conjugation |
| Week 2 | Hobbies, time, numbers, alphabet | Articles (der/die/das), plural, verbs "to have" & "to be" |
| Week 3 | In the city, transport, directions | Definite/indefinite articles, negation (kein/nicht), imperative |
| Week 4 | Food, drink, family, meals | Introduction to the Accusative Case |
| Week 5 | Everyday life, telling time, appointments | Time prepositions, modal verbs, possessive articles |
| Week 6 | Leisure activities, celebrations | Separable verbs, Accusative case, simple past of "haben"/"sein" |
| Week 7 | Contacts, writing letters | Introduction to the Dative Case |
| Week 8 | Apartment, rooms, furniture, colors | Two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen) |
| Week 9 | Professions | Perfect Tense (Past) |
| Week 10 | Clothes | Perfect Tense and Dative Case |
| Week 11 | Health and the body | Imperative, modal verbs (review) |
| Week 12 | Holiday and weather | Integration and review of key concepts |
Essential Learning Resources
To support your studies, the course prescribes and recommends high-quality materials:
Prescribed Textbook:
NETZWERK Deutsch als Fremdsprache A1 (Goyal, New Delhi, 2015). This is your primary workbook for exercises and lessons.
Other Recommended Books:
- Schulz-Griesbach: Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Grundstufe in einem Band (excellent for in-depth grammar reference).
Valuable Web Resources:
- Facts About Germany: https://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en
- Online Dictionary: www.leo.org
- Practice Material:
Why Choose This German Course?
This course stands out due to its IIT Madras pedigree, ensuring top-tier academic quality. The structured, week-by-week progression from basic introductions to more complex grammar like the Perfect Tense builds competence systematically. You learn not just from a textbook, but from seasoned instructors who understand the challenges Indian students face. The focus on real-life themes (city life, food, family, professions) ensures you gain immediately usable language skills.
Whether your goal is to enhance your career prospects, prepare for further studies, or simply embrace the joy of learning a new language and culture, German - I from IIT Madras is your perfect starting point. Enroll today and take the first step towards speaking Deutsch!
Enroll Now →