Course catalogue

Filipino II (Tagalog)

Course number: 57-337
Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen
Tuesday, 10 – 12 h, ESA-Ost (Ostflügel: "East Wing"), room O-118 (Sprachlabor)

The history of the Philippines under Spanish and American colonial rule has made it a unique place in Southeast Asia. Both have had a lasting impact not only on Filipino culture, but also on the national language. Filipino, which is based mainly on Tagalog, is thus a wonderful and colorful blend of all these influences.

Listening to Filipino as it is spoken colloquially, one would immediately hear the abundance of Spanish and English loan words. This leaves the casual listener with the perception that Filipino would be easy to master. This is, however, misleadingly deceptive because the underlying structure on which all of this is constructed and cohesively held is still the intricate Tagalog language with its complex grammar and sophisticated verb system.

It is worth noting that the United States Foreign Language Institute categorizes Tagalog as a Category III language, placing it in the company of languages known for their varying degrees of difficulty for English speakers to acquire. This classification aligns Tagalog with languages such as Russian, Thai, Laotian, and Vietnamese, indicating the level of dedication and perseverance required to master its complexities.

Although the use of the Latin alphabet simplifies the learning process for those familiar with English or German, delving deeper into the linguistic intricacies of Filipino reveals a fascinating yet formidable journey for language learners. Despite these challenges, learning Filipino is a rewarding endeavor that unveils a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and a profound connection to the country's history.

This second course in Filipino (Tagalog) is open throughout the university to students of various disciplines. Participants must have at least a B1 level in German, as the concepts and learning materials will be in German.

After exploring the basics of sentence structure in Filipino 1, getting acquainted with ANG and NG forms, and MAG verb forms with actor focus, you will now delve deeper into the language and culture  of the Philippines in Filipino 2.

We will look at SA forms, the use of may and meron, and the UM verb (actor-focus). We will talk about family and other daily activities in simple Tagalog.

In addition, we will show two films during the course that will give a brief insight into the socio-cultural aspects of Philippine society. You will then be asked to write a reflective essay on the content and message of the films. Screening schedules for the films will be announced.

Please note: This course requires the skills taught in Filipino 1, and it is essential that participants have a command of the fundamentals conveyed therein.

You can register for this course number 57-337 directly on STiNE.

Marami pong salamat!

Contact:

• Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen:
      vincent"AT"lingolese.de

Filipino IV (Tagalog)

Course number: 57-339
Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen
Thursday, 10 – 12 h, ESA-1 (Main Building), room 217

This fourth course in Filipino (Tagalog) is open throughout the university to students of various disciplines. Participants must have at least a B1 level in German, as the concepts and learning materials will be in German.

In the Filipino 4 course, we will delve more deeply into the various aspects of the Filipino language and culture. We will deal with more complex sentence structures and learn additional grammatical concepts. In addition, we will further develop our language skills in everyday situations and learn to navigate simple Tagalog communication. Throughout the course, we will explore more verb-forms and further expand our vocabulary.

As in the previous course, there will be two films that give a brief insight into the socio-cultural aspects of Philippine society. You will then be asked to write a brief reflective essay on the content and message of the films. Screening schedules for the films will be announced.

Please note: This course builds on the skills taught in Filipino 1, 2 and 3, and it is essential that students have a command of the fundamentals covered in those.

You can register for this course number 57-339 directly on STiNE.

Marami pong salamat!

Contact:

• Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen:
      vincent"AT"lingolese.de

Filipino – Modernes Filipino (Tagalog) erleben – Teil B
(Filipino – Exploring the Tapestry of Modern Filipino – Part B)

Course number: 57-340
Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen
Thursday, 12 – 14 h, ESA-1 (Main Building), room 217

This intermediate course in Filipino (Tagalog) is open throughout the university to students of various disciplines. Participants must have at least B1 level in German, as the materials will be explained and discussed in both German and Filipino.

This course is aimed at students who have completed at least the pre-intermediate course Filipino 3 or higher and wish to focus on practical application as well as deepen their understanding of modern Filipino. The course builds on the foundations of Part A but is also suitable for new participants who want to expand their language skills.

By focusing on real-life applications and actively engaging with the language through current topics or media, students will deepen their understanding of modern Filipino. This approach ensures a richer comprehension by exploring dynamic contexts such as the influence of social media, urban slang, and modern literary works.

You can register for this course number 57-340 directly on STiNE.

Marami pong salamat!

Contact:

• Vincent Wongaiham-Petersen:
      vincent"AT"lingolese.de

Sustainable urban transport in Singapore in comparison with other SE-Asian metropolitan areas

Course number: 57-316
Dr. Matthias Mueth
Monday, 16 – 18 p.m., ESA-O, room 232
    + Friday, 11.07.2025, 14 – 18 p.m., ESA-O, room 124
    + Monday, 14.07.2025, 16 – 20 p.m., ESA-O, r. 232

Are you interested in how metropolitan areas function in Asia and beyond? Do you want to explore what sustainability means for urban transport? Looking to enhance your methodological skills and broaden your perspective?

Join our seminar on "Sustainable Urban Transport in Singapore in Comparison with Other SE-Asian Metropolitan Areas"!

• Analyze innovative approaches to mobility and access
• Compare different metropolitan areas in Southeast Asia and beyond
• Engage in thought-provoking discussions on urban sustainability

Sign up now and be part of the conversation on how to keep Asian cities moving!
You can enroll for this course number 57-316 directy on STiNE.

Contact:

• Dr. Matthias Müth:
      m.mueth"AT"googlemail.com