TEACHING THE INFLECTION OF ADJECTIVES IN GERMAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI

Abstract

The inflection of German adjectives, with its numerous rules and exceptions, poses a significant challenge for many Vietnamese learners of German, including students at the Faculty of German Language and Culture, University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS - VNU). Based on this reality, this study aims to explore the factors related to teaching the inflection of adjectives in German at ULIS - VNU, specifically focusing on textbooks, teaching methods, and approaches of instructors. Through criteria-based analysis of textbooks, particularly focusing on grammar and exercises, we found that the textbook series Netzwerk neu had several strengths. After observing, filming, analyzing, and evaluating seven practical language lessons in the first and second years, the research team obtained the following results: The lecturers involved in this study adhered quite strictly to the steps in teaching grammar, facilitating a learning environment that encouraged students to explore, actively participate, and take initiative during lessons. However, the allocation of time for activities and the types of exercises still occasionally lacked appropriateness. These research findings help German language lecturers recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the textbooks Netzwerk neu (related to the inflection of adjectives) and thereby adopt suitable approaches and apply effective teaching methods for this grammatical phenomenon, helping learners encounter fewer difficulties in usage.