Skip to main content Skip to navigation

German Intermediate Accelerated (LL20A)

Summary
Level:

Prior knowledge of German required:

  • A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Level to be confirmed at diagnostic interview.
  • Or a high grade in GCSE or equivalent
  • Or Language Centre German 2 or Beginners Accelerated
  • Or equivalent

The module is designed to enable students who have demonstrated higher linguistic skills to complete two levels, (levels 3 and 4), in one year instead of two.

Main Objectives:
  • To improve reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. To develop greater fluency when speaking.
  • To understand ideas in complex text, and produce text on a wide range of topics.
  • To work towards B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
Credits:
30 CREDITS, also available for 24 CREDITS
Teaching:

Two weekly 2 hour sessions for 21 weeks, delivered face-to-face on campus.

Substantial independent study will also be required.

Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore for a 30 credit module, the minimum expected amount of study is 300 hours, which averages over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required. Students can make use of Moodle to facilitate this.

Assessment:

Term 2: portfolio (20%)

Term 3: one reading/writing test (40%) + one speaking test (40%)

Tutor:

Dr Birgit Oehle Birgit Oehle

Course Texts (must be bought by the student):

Braun, B., Dengler, S., Fügert, N., Hohmann, S. (2014) Mittelpunkt neu B1+: Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch mit Audio-CD, Stuttgart: Ernst Klett Sprachen (ISBN 978-3-12-676645-6)

Sander, I., Daniels, A., Köhl-Kuhn, R., Bauer-Hutz, B., Mautsch, K.F., Tremp Soares, H. (2012) Mittelpunkt neu B2, Stuttgart: Ernst Klett Sprachen (ISBN 978-3-12-676652-4)

Klapper, J. and Kent, Helen (2018) Aktion Grammatik! Fourth Edition, London: Hodder Education (ISBN 9781510433335)

Additional Material
  • Students will be expected to have at least a medium-sized dictionary, such as: Collins Concise English/German - German/English Dictionary (new edition, 2003). Preferable would be one of the full-sized dictionaries (eg. Collins, new edition 2013). Alternatively, online dictionaries such as www.leo.org, www.dict.cc or similar are also good resources.

Course Description

The module is designed to enable students who have demonstrated higher linguistic skills to fast-track two levels (levels 3 and 4) in one year instead of two.

The module will strengthen reading and writing skills and will also reinforce the communicative skills acquired during previous study of the German language. Students will gain further insights into the culture and civilisation of German-speaking countries. The module will offer a more advanced study of language structure and syntax, and will concentrate on using the target language for discussing and analysing aspects of the German-speaking world.

Successful completion of German Intermediate Accelerated qualifies students to progress to German 5. German 5Link opens in a new window

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • interact with fluency and spontaneity, and account for and sustain viewpoints.
  • write clear detailed text on a wide range of subjects; explain viewpoints on topical issues, giving advantages and disadvantages.
  • understand the main ideas and some detail of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics
  • apply knowledge of grammar appropriate to the level

By the end of the course, students should be able to perform many tasks at Level B2.1 Independent user (vantage) of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Syllabus

Topics will vary a little from year to year, but indicative topics are:

  • societal values;
  • the world of work;
  • interacting with others;
  • studying abroad.
Grammar
  • review and develop essential features such as: case; adjectives; word order; complex sentences.

  • items allowing greater differentiation and sophistication of expression, such as the passive; conditions; subjunctives..

Subject-specific and transferable skills
  • Strategies for understanding gist and specific information
  • Strategies to communicate effectively both in writing and orally in Spanish
  • Intercultural Awareness, Professionalism, Digital Literacy, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Critical Thinking.

The module can count towards the Warwick Award. Warwick AwardLink opens in a new window

The Warwick Award icon - four intersecting circles in turquoise, blue, and grey