German 5 (LL212)
Summary
Level:
The module is offered to undergraduates who already have a good knowledge of German (i.e. good A level or equivalent) or have successfully completed German 4.
Main Objectives:
This is the fifth in a series of German modules at different levels to be offered as part of the University's commitment to a foreign language entitlement. It is designed to assist students wishing to acquire a high level of German competence as a complement to their main degree studies or research and to prepare them to participate more actively in work, study and social contexts in German-speaking countries.
Credits:
This 30 CREDIT module is also available for 24 CREDITS.
Teaching:
Our aim, Covid-19 arrangements permitting, is:
One weekly blended session for 21 weeks, organised as:
One-hour online synchronous plenary (full group)
+ one-hour face to face on alternate weeks (small group)
+ one-hour asynchronous tutor-guided study
NB: teaching will move fully online in case of new health & safety restrictions.
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
one interim test (term 1)
one speaking test (term 3)
one Reading/Writing test (term 3)
Tutor:
Jörg Seifert
Diagnostic Test Higher Levels
Course Text Books
- Erkundungen, Integriertes Kurs-und Arbeitsbuch, Sprachniveau B2, Schubert-Verlag Leipzig, ISBN: 978-3-941323-43-8 (3rd edition 2019)
- "Sommerhaus, später", Judith Hermann, Fischer
Additional Material
-
Dreyer-Schmitt, Practice Grammar of German, Verlag fuer Deutsch
- “Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage”, Revised by Martin Durrell
- Dictionary: German-English, English-German dictionary, Collins
Course Description:
This module is designed to meet the needs of undergraduates who wish to acquire a more detailed and more specialised knowledge of the German language.
The module will put an emphasis on improving the following skills:communicating more effectively in German, in situations ranging from informal conversation to a formal presentation;
- reading and understanding articles in German and a varied range of fictional and non-fictional passages;
- gaining practice in writing short essays in German
Reading, writing and speaking activities will be centred around literary and non-literary texts focusing on aspects of life and culture in German-speaking countries.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the module students will have:
Develop competence in a broad range of complex and non-routine language tasks across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts
Consolidate and expand grammatical and syntactical competence
Become more proficient in using a wider range of register and style both in speaking and writing
Further awareness and appreciation of German culture
Develop an appreciation of literary and non-literary texts
Syllabus
- work and study
- aspects of German history
- culture and politics
- people and environment
Students will also be encouraged to read regularly magazines and newspapers to keep up to date with events in Germany and German-speaking countries.
Grammar
Consolidation of major elements, such as:
- Imperfect of verbs
- Passive voice
- Subjunctive (Konjunktiv I/II)
- Extended Participle Structures