Many students choose to take courses that are taught in English because they believe these courses will be easier. This is not necessarily the case. Courses like German Literature in English Translation may require a large amount of reading, and the grade will usually be based on a series of papers or essay-type tests. Students who do not write well may find it easier to get a high grade in an actual language course, such as Elementary German or Intermediate German. The language courses may require more steady, constant work, but a student with good study habits will not need to spend a great deal of time studying for a midterm or final.
Language courses are also easier to get into than Literature in Translation, which are usually full.
I had some German in high school and want to take more. If you had less than two years of German in high school, you should take Elementary German. If you had two years or more in high school, the normal rule is that you should enroll in Intermediate. If it has been several years since you had German, or if you feel your high school background is weak, talk to us. We might agree that you should take Elementary first.