German Beginners Accelerated for finalists (LL363)
Summary
Level:
This module is offered to students with no previous knowledge of German. Due to the 'accelerated' aspect of the module, evidence of prior linguistic achievement (e.g. a GCSE A* grade in another European language) is essential.
Main Objectives:
To enable students to develop competence in a range of language tasks acquiring essential listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and insight into German-speaking society. This course covers the language levels A1 and A2 as set out in the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Additionally, students will research, analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, enhancing their cultural knowledge, as well as intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
Credits:
30 CREDITS
Teaching and Learning:
One weekly blended session for 21 weeks, organised as:
- Weekly three-hour face-to-face class on campus
- Four 90-minute online workshops, spread across terms 1 and term 2
- Some independent study will also be set
If health & safety restrictions are required, teaching may move online.
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 1: one interim test (10%)
Term 3 : one independent project (15%) + one reading/writing test (35%) + one speaking test (40%)
Main Tutor:
Charlotte Annighoefer
Course Text Books (must be bought by student)
Menschen A1 Kursbuch (dreibändige Ausgabe), Sandra Evans et al, ISBN: 978-3-19-211901-9
Menschen A1 Arbeitsbuch (dreibändige Ausgabe), Sabine Glas-Peters et al, ISBN: 978-3-19-111901-0
Menschen A2 Kursbuch (dreibändige Ausgabe), Charlotte Habersack et al, ISBN: 978-3-19-211902-6
Menschen A2 Arbeitsbuch (dreibändige Ausgabe) Anna Breitsameter, ISBN: 978-3-19-111902-7
Course Description
- A general foundation in the language, extending across the four main skills areas (speaking, writing, listening and reading), with an emphasis upon the acquisition of an essential grammatical basis and development of both receptive and productive skills.
- A critical understanding of cultural contexts
- Analytical and reflective abilities in cross-cultural settings
- Autonomous learning and effective resource management.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
- apply a basic knowledge of grammar appropriate to the level
- develop strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- gain an insight into everyday life in the relevant countries
- understand texts dealing with descriptions of events and feelings, and with job-related language
- exchange information orally on familiar topics and activities and describe background and immediate needs
- write simple texts, messages and emails
- critically analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, demonstrating enhanced intercultural and cross-cultural competencies
- conduct and present independent research into Germanophone cultures and societies
- self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and manage resources.
By the end of the module, students should be able to perform at Level A2 Basic User (waystage) of the Common European Framework.
Syllabus
The syllabus will include the following:
Topics
Greetings, introductions, asking for and giving personal information, asking for and giving directions, describing people and places, daily routine, talking about likes and dislikes, ordering food and drinks, booking a hotel, talking about culture, places, events and impressions, talking about sport and leisure, business, festivals and customs, work.
Grammar
This module will provide an introduction to fundamental features of German and essential basic structures, making it possible to function in a range of everyday situations using the present and past tenses, cases, prepositions, adjective endings, conjunctions, subjunctive and relative clauses.
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- Written and spoken communication
- Strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- Intercultural Awareness, Professionalism, Digital Literacy, Teamwork, Problem-solving
- This module will allow students to develop strategies for self-directed and autonomous learning, as well as understanding of diverse cultural contexts and the ability to engage with and communicate on them thoughtfully and respectfully.
The module can count towards the Warwick Award.
