NOTE: The Books a la Carte Edition features the same content as the traditional text in a convenient, three-hole-punched, loose-leaf version. Streamlined, shorter Vorschau sections orient students more quickly to each chapter theme. Many Vorschau sections are based on texts from daily life (e.g., tweets, a recipe for a favorite Swiss breakfast, a menu from a popular student restaurant). Two (rather than one) Kultur sections per chapter intensify Treffpunkt's integration of culture. Now, both full length sections have activities that encourage greater reflection on cultural products, practices, and perspectives of the German-speaking world. Topics include: -studying in Germany (e.g., the affordability of university study, the new Bachelor curriculum) -the use of social media and other technologies among students -affordable travel and accommodations, especially for students -recent migration to Germany, featuring an oral history of a new citizen with a migration background -unique festivals that span the German-speaking countries -green living, leading a sustainable lifestyle -service-learning opportunities for young people in Germany and Europe -simple résumé writing for students ready to take the next step of studying or working abroad The pronunciation section Zur Aussprache now appears early in each chapter, as suggested by our readers. Wortschatz sections contain Treffpunkt's popular practice of new vocabulary. New picture-based activities in Wörter im Kontext entice students to explore the meaning of new vocabulary and phrases via realia.