FRANZ LANGE, PH.D.

LATE EXAMINER IN THE GERMAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE AT THE VICTORIA
UNIVERSITY, MANCHESTER.

The Gaspey-Otto-Sauer Method has become my sole property by right of purchase. These books are continually revised. All rights, especially those of adaptation and translation into any language, are reserved. Imitations and copies are forbidden by law. Suitable communications always thankfully received.

Heidelberg.

Julius Groos.

FROM THE PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

The present 'German Grammar' is based on the so-called Conversational Method, first applied by the author of this book in his 'French Conversation-Grammar.' This work has met with much approval in Germany, and has distinctly shown that the method followed in it is the easiest, quickest, and best calculated to assist the pupil in overcoming the difficulties of a language.

The 'German Conversation-Grammar' likewise combines the grammatical and logical exposition of the German language with the constant application of the different forms and rules to writing and speaking.

The book is divided into Lessons, each complete in itself, and containing, in a methodical arrangement, a portion of the grammar followed by a German Reading Exercise in which the different grammatical forms are applied to whole sentences. An Exercise for Translation into German comes next: the lesson being concluded by an easy Conversation re-embodying the matter introduced in the previous exercises.

The most practical method of acquiring and developing the faculty of speaking German is for the student to be questioned in German on subjects already familiar to him by translation. In a short time the ear becomes familiarised to the foreign accent, the teacher is understood, and the tongue at the same time acquires a fluency that cannot be attained by any other method. This success is solely due to the conversational exercises, the advantage of which is evident.

In respect of the mode of employing this Grammar, the author begs to be allowed to offer teachers and. pupils a few suggestions: The rules with their examples and the 'Words' should be first learned by heart, and the German 'Reading Exercise' read and translated into English. This done, the Exercise for Translation (Aufgabe) into German should at first be translated vivá voce and then be written down and corrected vivâ voce. For the next lesson a fair copy of it should be written out.