Steps Plus Alpha Compact: The compact literacy course, especially for students of a second language who want to transition quickly to a pure language course. This is a compact edition of Schritte Plus Alpha 1 and 2 in one volume, featuring learning material in a shortened form with adapted progression. It combines language and literacy instruction in a proven way and introduces the use of German as a second language textbooks in small steps. After completing this course, work can continue with Schritte Plus Alpha 3 (word formation) or directly with Erste Schritte Plus Neu Einstiegskurs. It now includes a fourfold writing line in the practice section and comes with a free app that allows access to audio texts on a smartphone. Additionally, the textbook service offers free teacher's handouts, review pages, picture cards as PDF downloads, and audio texts as MP3 downloads.