Overview of main topics in Level Two:

• The world of work: Internships
• The City of Hamburg
• Restaurants, meals, and food
• Weekend routines
• The concept of German unification
• The former German Democratic Republic
• Family issues and German mobility
• University life
• The environment
• Clothing and peer pressure
• The world of art
• The professional working couple
• The concept of Erziehungsurlaub
• Experiencing Germany as a foreigner

Episode 13: Der Auszubildende (The Apprentice)

Since this is the beginning of Level Two, the episode starts with a review of Marion’s story from the very beginning. Back in the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato wants to know why Marion is carrying so many books. Since they’ve been working together for a while now, he offers her the "du" form, the informal form of address, and asks her to call him "Bob." He wonders how the story is going. After having read quite a bit, Marion is sure the thing to do is to concentrate on the world of work. She begins to write the story of Michael Händel who is an apprentice at a large shipping company in Hamburg. Professor Di Donato describes Hamburg, Michael’s new home.

In the mini-drama, we first see Michael getting dressed to go to his new workplace. He asks a passerby where the closest bus stop is. Michael shows up at his new workplace and introduces himself to the secretary. He then meets his boss, Dieter Schäfer, who shows him around the office. He meets the people with whom he’ll be working. Herr Schäfer takes him to the wharf where one of the company’s ships is waiting to depart. On the way his boss asks him how he likes the firm and the city of Hamburg. He invites Michael to dinner on Friday evening.

Back in the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato finds the story about a day in the life of an apprentice interesting and wonders how usual it is that a boss would invite an apprentice to dinner. He comments on how Michael has dressed up for his first day of work and that he took the bus, instead of driving. He also comments on what the office looks like and asks Marion why Michael has to be an apprentice in the story. Marion replies that not everyone in Germany goes to the university. Some people want to learn a trade. Professor Di Donato comments that Michael seems to be a different person here than the Michael on Rügen, to which Marion replies that upon entering the work world, Michael had become more mature.

This discussion offers a segue to the guest speakers, who comment on friends of theirs who have learned a trade and what the apprenticeship was like for them. Professor Di Donato would like Marion to include more of her story. But Marion counters that Michael’s story reflects how German youth are searching for their own identity. Professor Di Donato suggests they change something in Michael’s story. Marion knows just what to do.

Episode 13 also presents expressions for introducing oneself, introducing someone else, inviting someone to a meal, and accepting an invitation. Three guest speakers also talk about friends who have worked on an internship.

Episode 14: Der Trick (The Trick)

In this mini-drama, Michael and his boss arrive on the ship where Michael is introduced to the captain and the crew. The first officer wants to know if Herr Schäfer wants to go with them but he says he can’t and suggests they show Michael the ship. Not long after the first officer begins to do so, the ship suddenly begins to leave port. Michael leans over the railing and shouts that he’s got to get back to land. He asks the crew to stop the ship but they reply that the next stop would be America. Michael doesn’t know what to do.

Back in Goethe Institut, Marion asks Professor Di Donato for his reaction. He doesn’t react at first, but then says he didn’t like the story at all. He simply can’t believe the story. Marion wants to maintain her freedom as an author, to which Professor Di Donato agrees, but he wants to make a few suggestions. He wants to add a narrator to the story as well as something unusual, a mysterious song perhaps. Marion replies, saying, the sea can be cruel. Michael’s boss leaves him aboard ship. The ship leaves the port and sails into the open sea. Professor Di Donato is still not happy with this story line. They have to figure out a way to get Michael off the ship. As it happens, a certain Herr Friedrichs is leaving the ship on a small boat and can take Michael along back to the dock. One of the crew, Jens Jensen retorts that it’s a shame to lose Michael, as he could have become the ship’s cook.

Back in the Goethe Institut, Marion thinks this ending is alright but both she and Professor Di Donato are still not happy. Still, they both think the story was worthwhile in terms of learning German. They both agree that it might have been a mistake to try to make Michael more interesting. He has become a caricature of himself. Veering off into another direction, Marion thinks his story should have shown the historical conflict between workers and bosses. Professor Di Donato thinks that’s far too political. Michael should remain a nice guy who is trying to learn a career in the business world. Once again, Professor Di Donato suggests that Marion return to her own story but she thinks it’s too late. At that point, she coyly suggests that maybe someone else is writing the stories and holds a mirror up reflecting the cameras and crew associated with the telecourse. Professor Di Donato maintains that there is only Marion and himself.

Episode 14 also presents expressions for getting someone’s attention, reacting to an incredible situation, and wishing someone a good trip.

Episode 15: Zu viel Salz (Too Much Salt)

In this episode Professor Di Donato invites his assistant Marion to dinner at his home in Boston, where he prepares an Italian meal. Marion arrives and has brought the professor a small gift-chocolates. They are a type of candy called "Mozartkugeln." Professor Di Donato explains that the apartment doesn’t belong to him but has been rented for the duration of his work on the course. After the ravioli caprese, they have Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, which Professor Di Donato has purchased from a small pastry shop nearby. Marion is too full to have a piece of the torte, but finally gives in. Over coffee they discuss birthday customs in Germany and how the person who has the birthday often invites guests to dinner either at home or at the restaurant.

In the mini-drama, Herr Schäfer is making a special dish for dinner, rack of lamb provençale. As the "birthday boy," he is responsible for the cooking, but his wife and daughter, who claim he never seasons his food properly, get into the act, too. Friends of the Schäfers, Uwe and Renate Cornelius, arrive and are greeted. Uwe offers Dieter a bouquet of flowers. Afterwards Michael arrives. In the meantime, Herr Schäfer, his wife, and his daughter each takes a turn seasoning the meat and vegetables, especially with slat, when the others are not watching. In the end the meal is ruined. As a solution, the daughter Eva suggests they go to a restaurant. This proves more difficult than they had thought. The first restaurant is closed that day (Ruhetag) and the other is hosting a private party. Michael has a suggestion: They head to a snack bar on the wharf where they can get Bratwurst, French fries, herring, and other "delicacies."

Back in the Goethe Institut, Marion and Professor Di Donato agree that Michael’s story is getting a little more interesting, but they think it’s perhaps time to concentrate on the Schäfer family in the next episode. But first, it’s time for a review.

Episode 15 also presents expressions for asking someone for clarification, when you’re not certain about something, making suggestions, and asking for general information. Guest speakers also talk about how they celebrate their birthdays.

Review Episode 5 contains the uninterrupted mini-dramas from Episodes 13 - 15.

Episode 16: Am Wochenende (On The Weekend)

The beginning of Episode 16 finds Marion and her sister Sabine in a gym in Boston. Marion doesn’t feel like working this weekend and laments the fact that she has agreed to do so. Sabine keeps reminding her what a big help she is to Professor Di Donato in developing the German course. In the meantime, Professor Di Donato is sitting on the balcony of the Goethe Institut on a mild sunny day and talking to the viewers about what he likes to do on the weekend. This leads into statements by the guest speakers who also discuss what they like to do on the weekend. When Marion arrives at the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato and she sit down at a table for coffee and cake. Marion has a new idea for the next story: She wants to show people in Germany typically do on the weekend. Professor Di Donato thinks that it’s a great idea.

In the mini-drama, we experience the Schäfer family’s weekend routine: from getting the car washed to mowing the lawn, from grocery shopping to installing a new shelf in the garage. In the afternoon Uwe and Renate Cornelius come by for coffee and cake and the two men watch a soccer game on television. They then decide to go jogging in a nearby park, and remember to take along waste paper and glass to be thrown into the recycling bins located there. During their jog they make a small detour to a Gaststätte or tavern where they sit and talk over a beer. Uwe tells Dieter that his firm may transfer him to Thuringia where the company has bought a plant. He hasn’t told his wife Renate yet about the possibility and asks Dieter to keep the information to himself.

In front of a large map at the Goethe Institut Marion and Professor Di Donato are discussing Uwe Cornelius’ possible move to Thuringia and the fact that before German reunification Thuringia was a part of the German Democratic Republic. They talk about the events of November 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the reunification of Germany. Marion states that there were and still are may difficulties associated with the reunification of Germany, and Professor Di Donato suggests that she write about some of these in her next stories.

Episode 16 also contains vocabulary for weekend activities, and guest speakers talk about what they do on their weekends.

Episode 17: Nach Thüringen? (To Thuringia?)

This episode focuses on the Cornelius family and how they deal with a possible move to Thuringia. In the beginning of the episode we find the family at breakfast: Uwe, Renate, and their daughter Nina, who is heading off for school. Uwe has to catch the S-Bahn, a commuter train, into the city. Klara, their older daughter, is just getting up. Meanwhile, back at the plant, Uwe Cornelius greets some of his co-workers. He then gets called to his boss’s office. At the same time, we see Renate, who teaches at a local school, in the middle of a geography lesson. Back in his boss’s office, Uwe discusses the move to Thuringia. The plant wants to send him there for two years as their technical manager. He shows him where the plant is located on a map and tells him the firm really needs him in Thuringia. Back in her Boston apartment, Marion tells Sabine that she is trying to write a family drama with a deeper message. She’s certain as to how it is going. Marion is also homesick.

Episode 18: Die Lösung (The Solution)

At the beginning of the episode Marion and Sabine are at the Goethe Institut. Sabine had not been there before and is curious to see where Marion is working with the professor on the German course. Marion wants to tell Professor Di Donato who she really is, but Sabine tries to dissuade her from it. She’ll eventually discuss it with the professor, just as Uwe and Renate Cornelius discuss the move to Thuringia and find a solution to their dilemma. Excerpts from the mini-drama show how the family reacts to news of the possible move.

At the Goethe Institut Sabine hears someone coming and disappears, urging Marion not to tell Professor Di Donato her true identity just yet. Professor Di Donato introduces Marion to Manfred von Hoesslin, a colleague at the Goethe Institut, whom he thanks for the use of the facilities in filming the German course. After Manfred leaves, Marion starts to tell the professor who she is but then loses courage.

In the mini-drama, were back at the Cornelius home where there is lots of discussion about the move. Renate Cornelius doesn’t want to give up her job as a teacher. Klara is going off to study the following year anyway, so it doesn’t matter to her if the family moves or not. Nina thinks school is a drag anywhere, so she’s not against the move.

The next day, in the plant cafeteria, Uwe talks to a colleague, Willi Lehamnn, about the move. Willi’s family isn’t thrilled about it either and he tells Uwe they’ve worked out a compromise: Monday through Friday he will be in Thuringia and weekends in Hamburg. Later that day, Renate and Uwe are sitting on a park bench near the "Binnenalster," a small lake near the center of Hamburg. Renate realizes this move is a good opportunity for Uwe. She suggests he go to Thuringia during the week and some back to Hamburg on the weekends. Uwe thinks it’s a good idea and they reminisce about the commuting they did in their student days. As the mini-drama comes to a close, we see a kite flying off in the distance.

Professor Di Donato likes the symbol of the kite that Marion uses to visualize Uwe and Renate’s problem. Marion and Professor Di Donato discuss the compromise that Uwe and Renate reached. She gives the professor a list of all the topics she has covered from the world of work with Michael to the ruined dinner at the Schäfer’s, from leisure time activities to problems families encounter when a job transfer occurs. This discussion leads into the guest speakers who comment on what they like to do in their free time. Marion suggests more ideas for stories and already has a good idea for the next one.

Episode 18 also gives expressions for saying that one is looking forward to doing something, how to wish someone a nice meal, and how to express apathy. Guest speakers also talk about how they spend their leisure time.

Review Episode 6 contains the uninterrupted mini-dramas from Episodes 16 - 18.

Episode 19: Der Spaghetti-Professor (The Spaghetti Professor)

In this mini-drama, Klara, a new student at the University of Munich, wants to register for a practicum. But she soon finds out that there is no room in the course and that she might have to wait until the next year to take it.

Back in the Goethe Institut, Marion tells Professor Di Donato that she likes the idea of presenting a story about a student at the university and what she has to do to succeed there. After all, next year Marion herself will be off to a university. He asks to see the script which Marion begins to outline, but he doesn’t want her to give away the ending. Professor Di Donato is surprised to find out Marion wants to call the episode "Il Professore Spaghetti."

Back in the mini-drama, Klara and her friend, Sonja, are in line at the university Mensa (cafeteria) and talk about the practicum Klara has to sign up for. After lunch, she goes to the office to sign up, where she encounters a large group of waiting students. When the professor comes out, she finds that the practicum is full and that she will have to wait until next year. Markus, a fellow student, offers her his space in the course. Later Klara meets with Sonja and she tells her about what happened. Klara only knows the first name of the student who gave her his spot. They both go to the library where Klara spots Markus but then loses his trail. Before they leave the library, Sonja invites Klara to dinner at the dormitory that evening.

Professor Di Donato is still puzzled about the title of the episode. Marion insists that Klara’s dilemma has to have a big finale but Professor Di Donato isn’t at all convinced that Klara has a dilemma in the first place. Marion feels that Klara is experiencing a tension between academic knowledge and personal happiness at the university.

Later, in the mini-drama, a group of international students gathers at the dormitory. Sonja introduces Klara to the group. Unnoticed by Klara, Markus is standing at the stove cooking dinner. He is introduced to her as "Il Professore Spaghetti ." Klara can’t believe her eyes.

Professor Di Donato thinks the story is too superficial. Marion disagrees but wants to know if the story was useful for learning German. At the end of the episode Marion decides that she wants to drop the topic of the university and get into a more politically engaging subject. She suggests pollution.

Episode 19 offers expressions for asking someone to come along and for saying that one has no time to do something.

Episode 20: Der Umweltsunder (The Polluter)

In this episode, Klara and Markus are going to visit Markus’s mother. In the car Klara wants to know how long it will take to get there. Markus says that he told his mother they would come by for coffee in the afternoon. As they approach the small town where Markus’s mother lives, they find they are a bit early. Markus tells Klara to drive into the woods; he wants to show her the spot where he always rode his bike with his girlfriend when they were eight. Suddenly they spot someone throwing trash down a hill in the woods. Klara wants to notify the police. But then she has another idea.

Back in the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato wants Marion to tell him what Klara is going to do. Marion replies in vague terms: "She’ll do what she has to." Rejoining Markus and Klara in the woods, we see that Klara has sneaked up to the polluter’s car and, in the dirty windshield, has left a little message for him. Later, when Markus and Klara arrive at Markus’s mother’s house, they see his brother Thomas. Markus introduces Klara to Thomas and starts criticizing Thomas’ clothes. They tell Markus’s mother about their encounter with the polluter. Markus says they forgot to write down the license plate number, but Klara had already done so on her palm with lipstick.

Professor Di Donato is very pleased with the episode. Marion liked the ides of putting a "bad guy" into the story and adding a little dramatic tension. Outside the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato asks Marion what she’s going to do over the weekend. She thinks she might go to the disco with a friend from Germany. Again she tries to tell Professor Di Donato about herself, but he is in a hurry and must break off the conversation. Back at Marion’s apartment, Marion and Sabine get ready to go out and experience some American night life.

Episode 20 presents expressions for asking whether someone has done something, asking how long something will last, what to say when one is disgusted, and what to say when one has an idea.

Episode 21: Die falschen Klamotten (The Wrong Clothes)

Marion and Sabine are in front of a Boston disco where Marion is lamenting the fact that she can’t go in because she’s too young. Sabine suggests that they get something to eat or go to the movies but Marion really wants to dance. She resigns herself to not being able to go and thinks she might use the situation as an idea in her next story.

In the mini-drama, Thomas is in his room playing at the computer when his cousin Laura Stumpf (who is visiting) comes in. She asks if he’ll go to a concert with her at the Roxy, where "Die hieben Ohren" are playing. As usual, Thomas isn’t interested. Laura tries to make him feel guilty by telling him that the next day is the last day of her visit and that the least he could do is accompany her to the door of the disco. A while later Thomas decides to go to the Roxy with her after all. Both Thomas’ mother and Laura are surprised that she was able to persuade him to go. Once at the disco, Laura heads right in, leaving her cousin behind. As Thomas is about to enter, he finds that he can’t get in. As it happens, the clothes he is wearing are "out." Minutes later, Laura comes out and asks the doorman if he’s seen her cousin, to which he replies "no."

Back in his room Thomas looks at himself in the mirror. His mother is also surprised that he’s home. Thomas asks his mother where his bank book is. Laura returns and chastises Thomas for not going to the Roxy with her. He explains that the doorman didn’t let him in because his clothes weren’t "right." Laura recommends that he get some new duds because "Die heiben Ohren" will be back for another concert in four weeks. Later, Thomas goes out and purchases new clothing. He tries on his new "far out" outfit, and his mother barely recognizes him. He tells her he’s going to the concert at the Roxy. At the door of the Roxy, however, he is once again denied entrance.

In the Goethe Institut, Marion explains to Professor Di Donato that most young people do not have much money for clothes. Professor Di Donato says Thomas wouldn’t have gotten into the disco anyway because he’s too young, to which Marion replies that Germany is more liberal in this regard. Professor Di Donato asks Marion how old she is. She cryptically replies that "Marion" is 18, but that she is 19, something he does not quite understand. At this point, "Marion" finally tells him that she’s not "Marion." Professor Di Donato is puzzled by the while thing but "Marion" can’t explain it at this point. She has to meet her sister at the museum. Professor Di Donato is left in a state of confusion.

Episode 21 also represents phrases for expressing regret, for kidding someone, and for telling someone to get lost.

Review Episode 7 contains the uninterrupted mini-dramas from Episodes 19 – 21.

Episode 22: Ein neues Gemälde (A New Painting)

At the opening of the episode, we see Susanne Dyrchs and her sister, Sabine, walking through Busch Reisinger Museum in Boston and looking at paintings by Beckmann, Feininger, and others. They stop to comment on Franz Marc’s "Die roten Pferde" ("The Red Horses"). Susanne would like to have a poster of it. After a moment, she suddenly has an idea for the next episode: an adventure with art and forgeries.

In the mini-drama, we see the Stumpf family living room, where Evelyn Stumpf, Laura’s mother, show her son-in-law, Heiner, and her other daughter, Roswita, their new couch. Roswita thinks the old painting hanging above it doesn’t fit anymore. Even though the painting comes from Evelyn Stumpf’s grandfather, it simply clashes with the couch. Evelyn and her husband Karl look at the price of a painting at a gallery. Two thousand marks is just too much to pay. They go to a flea market where they find a painting they like very much but the frame is damaged. Karl is able to get the painting for much less money. They take it to an art restorer who thinks the painting may be a very valuable Macke. Macke paintings are worth 300,000 marks in today’s market.

Once back at home, Karl Stumpf falls asleep in his chair and begins dreaming that he’s at an art auction. His wife wakes him up and Karl tells her that their picture is worth 300,000 marks. However, once they return to the restoration artist’s shop, they learn that the picture is not a Macke and therefore isn’t worth anything at all. However, as it turns out, the frame is worth something, and the artist offers them 2000 for it. But Evelyn Stumpf doesn’t want to sell it. She’s happy to have bought something of value and likes the idea of having it in her home.

Back at home, Karl Stumpf tries to hang the new painting on the wall. Heiner walks in and compliments them on their choice of a new painting. Karl Stumpf asks where Roswita is. Heiner explains she has to work overtime. Evelyn explains that Roswita is working and Heiner is a house husband, which does not elicit a favorable response from Karl. He mutters something about the husband being boss.

Meanwhile, back at the museum, Susanne and Sabine continue to view the paintings. Sabine notices Professor Di Donato entering the hall. Susanne introduces Sabine to Professor Di Donato who says that he knew who "Marion" was all the time. He has let Susanne continue to play Marion, his assistant, because he thought the viewers could learn more that way. He tells Susanne that they still have two stories to tell. Susanne suggests they tell the story of a modern family where the wife works and the husband stays home.

Episode 22 also presents expressions for calling attention to something and offering a solution to a problem. Viewers also see several examples of German art from the Busch Reisinger Museum in Boston.

Episode 23: Der Hausmann (The House Husband)

In this mini-drama, Heiner Sander is at home taking care of his son Kai. Everything imaginable is going wrong. The phone rings, the milk boils over, Kai is furiously crying. Evelyn Stumpf, his mother-in-law, is waiting at the park for the two of them to show up. While she’s waiting, she starts up a conversation with a woman sitting next to her on the park bench and explains that her son-in-law is probably having a few problems with the baby. The woman on the bench thinks Frau Stumpf’s daughter must be ill, but Frau Stumpf explains that her son-in-law has Erziehungsurlaub (paternity leave). Finally, Heiner and Kai arrive.

Later, back at the apartment, Heiner is getting restless because Roswita hasn’t come back from the office yet and this is the night to play court soccer. He will have to take Kai with him. Meanwhile at the gym, Heiner’s friends begin to wonder where he is. He eventually shows up with Kai. Back at their apartment, Roswita Sander arrives home and reads the note left by Heiner. She heads for the gym and arrives while the men are playing ball. Heiner’s friends get more and more upset because he’s interrupted so often by a crying Kai. Roswita leaves and takes Kai home with her. Later, back at their apartment, she tells her Kai is teething and that’s why he bought Dentinox. She’s surprised that he knew that. Heiner is happy that his Erziehungsurlaub is almost over and that it’s now Roswita’s turn to take care of Kai. But Roswita’s boss offers her a new opportunity, and so she suggests to Heiner that they consider having an au pair care for Kai.

Back at the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato and Susanne discuss the idea of bringing an au pair into the Sander’s household for the next episode. Susanne isn’t sure she can write another episode but the professor is encouraging. He suggests they show the experiences of an au pair from Mexico in a German family. But Susanne is tired of writing, and insists that Professor Di Donato try his hand at the story.

Episode 23 also offers phrases for expressing approval, resignation, and frustration.

Episode 24: Das Au Pair (The Au Pair)

In the Goethe Institut, Professor Di Donato and Susanne take official leave of "Marion" and greet Susanne Dyrchs. They present the story of Inez, an au pair, and her experiences with a German family.

In the mini-drama, Roswita and Heiner arrive a little late at the airport, and with great anxiety, only to find out that Inez’ flight from Mexico will be two hours late. Later as they are looking for her in the crowd that is deplaning, they believe they spot her. Roswita goes up to her and asks if she’s Inez. Neither one is sure how to greet the other. Heiner welcomes her with a handshake.

At the breakfast table the next morning Roswita is in the process of leaving as Inez saunters into the kitchen. She tells Inez to say "du" to her. Heiner offers her some breakfast which she tries. Later that day, Inez gets into a conversation with several young mothers at the park. She shows them pictures of her family in Mexico. Inez suddenly remembers she has to go food shopping, but it’s four o’clock on Saturday and the women tell her that the stores close at four.

Meanwhile at the Sanders’ apartment Roswita is getting a little uneasy waiting for Inez and Kai. On the street Inez finds out she can still go to the main train station to buy groceries. Back at the Sanders’ apartment, both Heiner and Roswita are getting more and more worried. Roswita asks if they should call the police. Heiner wants to go looking for the two of them. As he’s about to leave, Inez and Kai finally arrive home and Roswita asks where they were. She and Heiner find out that Inez was at the train station buying groceries.

On another day, we see Inez in front of the Goethe Institut in Berlin. She is talking to a group of classmates. Later, at home, she asks Roswita and Heiner if she can invite a few friends over to cook a Mexican meal. They like the idea. The party has lots of dancing and celebrating.

In the Goethe Institut in Boston, Professor Di Donato and Susanne are wondering whether the course has helped viewers learn German.. Professor Di Donato mentions the books and other materials that people use as they follow the course. He also asks if Susanne will stay a while longer to continue with the course. She wants to continue but now the format will be different. Instead of stories, real issues will be presented and discussed.

Episode 24 also provides expressions for how to ask for specific information, what to say when one wants to welcome someone, and how to react to something when one is agitated.

Review Episode 8 contains the uninterrupted mini-dramas from Episodes 22 - 24.