Introductory German (LL103)
Summary
Level:
Absolute Beginners only. This module is offered to students with no previous knowledge of German.
Main Objectives:
Its short term aim is to introduce the students to basic German grammar and syntax, to enable them to communicate effectively in simple everyday situations and to introduce them to various aspects of life in Germany. The module's long term aim is to prepare the students for a more advanced module.
Assessment Scheme:
Three assessment tests in class, one in each term + one examination. The examination will count as 60% of the final mark, the remaining 40% being based on assessment.
Weighting:
24 CREDITS or, with additional assessed work: 30 CREDITS
Teaching:
One x 3 hour seminar per week over 23 weeks plus at least 2 hours' independent learning each week.
Availability/Location of module within courses:
This module is available as an approved option in undergraduate programmes for departments in the Faculties of Arts, Sciences and Social Studies, commencing Week 2, Term 1.
Course Description:
Its short term aim is to introduce the students to basic German grammar and syntax, to enable them to communicate effectively in simple everyday situations and to introduce them to various aspects of life in Germany. The module's long term aim is to prepare the students for a more advanced module.
Communicative skills
- Introductions;
- talking about oneself and one's family;
- describing places and objects;
- giving and understanding directions;
- talking about hobbies and leisure activities;
- ordering food/drink and asking for the bill;
- talking about time;
- reporting past events
Topical content
- Numbers;
- greetings;
- countries;
- cities;
- directions;
- jobs;
- family;
- hobbies;
- food and drink;
- time;
- letters;
- cooking;
- daily routine
Grammar
- Present tense;
- definite and indefinite articles;
- singular and plurals;
- pronouns;
- imperative;
- accusative;
- prepositions with the accusative;
- word order;
- negation with 'nicht' and 'kein';
- modal verbs;
- separable verbs;
- imperfect of 'sein' and 'haben';
- possessive adjectives;
- perfect tense;
- adjectives
Where appropriate, video tapes and audio-cassettes will accompany the main course book to train in listening comprehension and pronunciation practice. Role-play activities will be used to develop communication skills. A variety of added material prepared for self-study will be provided to enable the students to begin to build up fluency and accuracy in both oral and written German. Students will also be encouraged to avail themselves of the facilities of the Language Centre e.g. computers, satellite TV, supplementary audio tapes, etc.
Dictionary skills and strategies will be built into the course.
Course Texts:
- Passwort Deutsch 1, by U. Albrecht et al. Publisher: Ernst Klett International, Stuttgart.
- Dictionary, The Collins German/English English/German Dictionary Klett 1989
Teaching:
One session per week of 3 hours' duration.
Assessment:
Students will be required to complete, in class, three assessment tests, one in each term. The examination will count as 60% of the final mark, the remaining 40% being based on assessment.
The tests will include a range of skills including aural comprehension, reading comprehension, composition, grammatical competence, short translations and conversation.
At the end of the module there will be a 3 hour examination, consisting of a written comprehension, a short composition and a short translation from German into English.
The use of a bilingual (English>German, German>English) dictionary is allowed in the examination.