The German Express program consists of a series of intensive courses taking a student from no knowledge of German to fluency in less than one year (if they take the summer intensive course.)

In Autumn Quarter students selected for the program enroll in German 221, an accelerated 200-lvl course, which combines two quarters of second-year German into one.

Students who plan to spend Spring Quarter studying abroad in Germany will enroll in another module of accelerated language instruction during Winter Quarter; to prepare for their time abroad, these students will simultaneously take German 203 and 301.

During Spring Quarter, students will have the opportunity to study abroad at a German university.  This program was introduced in 1991 and has been quite successful.  Most participants are not German majors, but rather highly motivated students who want to gain mastery of German as quickly as possible.

We invite the best students from our 100-intensive German (summer quarter) and the best students from the German 103 classes (winter, spring, summer quarters) to participate in an accelerated 200-level course.  About 60-70 percent of the students accept the invitation and during autumn quarter take part in German 221, which combines two quarters of second-year German into one.  This course is team taught by a faculty member and a selected TA. If you feel you qualify for the German Express program, speak with your current instructor or contact our Language Coordinator.

1.During Winter, Spring or Summer Quarter, students will take either German 103 (5 credits) or German 100 (15 credits, the equivalent of one year of beginning German) during summer quarter.

Interested students will sign a waiting list thereby indicating their interest in enrolling in German 221 (ten credits), offered in the fall. Enrollment in German 221 is limited to those students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in First Year German at UW. 

Note: Students on the waiting list should not register for any other class offered from 11:30 to 1:20 (Monday through Friday).

The top students on the list who have received at least a grade of 3.5 will be sent an ADD CODE for enrollment via STAR in German 221.

2.During Fall Quarter students will take German 221 (ten credits, accelerated, the equivalent of two quarters of second year German, 201 & 202). After completion of this course, the top five students will be awarded stipends for study at a German university.  In the past seven years 50 students received such a stipend.

3.During Winter Quarter students will take German 203 (5 credits) plus German 301 (3 credits, conversation & composition).  There will be informational meetings during this quarter to prepare the students for the time abroad.

4.During Summer Semester (approximately mid-April though July) students will study at either Freiburg or Tübingen University).  They will be able to earn UW credits.