The curriculum guide for the basic German second language program in Manitoba elementary and secondary schools is presented. The first part offers the rationale for the broad goals of the program, with a focus on the benefits of cultural and language education for individuals and society alike. This section also contains a discussion of the communicative approach to language teaching, including specific instructional strategies and a brief examination of the role of English in second language teaching. Issues in program administration are considered, and several texts are recommended. The second and third parts of the guide outline the basic German programs for grades 1-6 and 7-12, respectively, including the topics, situations, and functions appropriate to the age group, a scope and sequence of course content cross-referenced to recommended texts, and a separate scope and sequence of language functions and sample structures cross-referenced to texts. An extended discussion of specific classroom strategies for the communicative approach and a 27-item bibliography are appended. (MSE)