The existing German curriculum should be updated to include career-oriented, career-related language courses, especially in German commercial language, since West Germany is one of the world's most important trading countries and the United States is a major trading partner. Language fluency alone is not sufficient for employment in international business. Language students must also have a command of technical business vocabulary and the tone and format of commercial correspondence, as well as an understanding of cultural traditions, social conventions, prejudices, and habits. Knowledge of the formality of German industrial culture and the conventions used in specific business-related situations is essential to conducting business competently and with the confidence of the German businessman. A detailed description of the elements of a German business letter is included as well as examples of various types of business correspondence, in German. (MSE)