Module GERM1011: GERMAN LANGUAGE 1 (I)

Department: MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES (GERMAN)

GERM1011: GERMAN LANGUAGE 1 (I)

Prerequisites

• B in German at A level (or its equivalent).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Not available to students following the European Studies programme; German in Society I (LANG1301).

Aims

• To improve the written, spoken and comprehension skills developed at A-level and to give a systematic review of major areas of German grammar.

Content

• The module is topic-based.
• A wide range of topics is discussed, many of them concerned with German culture and current affairs.
• Essays and other written exercises develop writing skills, whilst greater fluency is achieved through participation in role-play, language games and discussions.
• Grammar teaching is an integral part of the module throughout, as is listening comprehension, which is practised in the language laboratory.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the course students should have:
• consolidated their knowledge of key grammatical points,
• increased their fluency and confidence in speaking German in a variety of situations,
• gained practice in writing in German.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• For the oral/essay component, work will take the form both of written essays and oral contributions of various kinds, including, e.g. small 'papers' on a subject, contributions to a debate, but, equally importantly, the ongoing engagement with peers in the group, one-to-one or in small groups - important because of the need participants have to talk for as much of any hour as possible. The oral/essay component is taught in German.
• The grammar component deals with a number of major areas of German Grammar over the year, to lay the foundation for further systematic work over the course of the whole degree programme. These areas will be treated by way of tackling examples via the exercises in the dossier and, where necessary, revising a descriptive grammar of German. Progress will be monitored by means of tests and homework. The grammar component is mainly taught in German, but explanations will be given in English where necessary.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Regular written/oral practice.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University