Post Beginners German (LL112)
Summary
Level:
This module will be offered to students who have successfully completed the Introductory German module. It will also serve as a refresher course for students who have done GCSE/'O' level German (or equivalent) some time ago. It is equally suitable for students who have acquired certain communication skills during an extended stay in a German-speaking community but who have never studied German grammar formally.
Main Objectives:
The aims of the module are to consolidate and extend knowledge and use of German grammar and syntax, to enable students to develop competence in a range of language tasks performed in familiar work and social contexts and to extend skills in reading and listening comprehension.
Assessment Scheme:
3 exams and an oral test. Students requiring 30 CREDITS are required to do an additional exam.
Weighting:
24 CREDITS or, with additional assessed work: 30 CREDITS
Teaching:
One seminar per week of 2 hours' duration over 25 weeks plus 2 hours independent learning per 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. It is available as a day-time or an evening module.
Course Description:
The aims of the module are to consolidate and extend knowledge and use of German grammar and syntax, to enable students to develop competence in a range of language tasks performed in familiar work and social contexts and to extend skills in reading and listening comprehension. The module also introduces students to some of the main social and political institutions in German-speaking countries and a range of geographical and economic aspects of unified Germany.
Communicative Skills
- Discussing eating and drinking habits;
- describing daily routine;
- making phone calls;
- asking for information;
- describing past actions and events;
- describing holiday plans and future prospects;
- shopping;
- expressing feelings and complaints;
- expressing and qualifying opinions;
- expressing likes, dislikes and preferences;
- describing past actions and events.
Grammar
- Separable verbs;
- modal verbs;
- imperfect and perfect tense;
- future tense with "werden";
- prepositions and verbs with accusative and dative;
- reflexive verbs;
- adjectives;
- comparative and superlative;
- introduction to dependent clauses.
Course Text Books:
- "Passwort Deutsch 2", U. Albrecht et al. Ernst Klett International, Stuttgart
- "English Grammar for Students of German", C.Zorach and C.Melin, Olivia and Hill Press, 1994
- Dictionary, The Collins English/German - German/English Dictionary, Klett, 1989
Teaching:
One class per week of 3 hours' duration over 25 weeks. Students will be expected to devote at least three hours weekly to independent study activities and vocabulary learning. Students will also be encouraged to avail themselves of the open access facilities of the Language Centre e.g. computers, satellite TV, audio tapes, etc.
Assessment:
Students will be required to complete, in class, three assessment tests, one in each term. The Summer 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.
Examination
The 3 hour examination will consist of a written comprehension with multiple tasks, a short composition in German and a short translation from German into English. Dictionary skills will be taught as part of language study skills - therefore use of a bilingual dictionary will be allowed during the examination.