Module MLAN1461: GERMAN STAGE 5 (Durham Campus)

Department: Centre for Foreign Language Study (MLAN)

MLAN1461: GERMAN STAGE 5 (Durham Campus)

Prerequisites

• • Successful completion of German Stage 4, or a language proficiency or qualification equivalent to a B2 level, subject to decision by the module’s language coordinator. No higher entry German language qualification (C1) permitted.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Any Core Language Module offered by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Aims

• To consolidate and widen further the knowledge of the German language, including grammar and lexis;
• To enhance communicative proficiency in German further, in both writing and oral
• To develop presentation skills in German
• To develop team work skills and to successfully complete two group work projects leading to a group presentation in German
• To develop further listening and reading skills;
• To broaden the knowledge of contemporary Germany;
• To develop intercultural awareness

Content

• The development of the students' language skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and interaction) will be integrated into a framework and will include two small group projects.
• Course materials will be supplemented with multimedia resources available online;
• There will be two one-hour seminars a week, which will be used to consolidate and develop grammatical and lexical knowledge as well as to practice oral, aural and writing skills.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
• demonstrate the ability to carry out basic research in the target language and present an oral and written summary;
• demonstrate the ability to hold short presentations in German
• demonstrate a sound broad knowledge of some aspects of contemporary Germany;
• demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the cultures and societies in the German-speaking world gained through the study of cultural products;
• demonstrate a sound broad knowledge and understanding of the main German linguistic principles, structures and registers used in various types of documents (essays, newspaper articles, songs, adverts, websites, etc.).

• On successful completion of the module learners will be able to:
• write on a wide range of various contemporary issues, expressing and discussing views;
• enter unprepared into conversation and issues related both to familiar and unfamiliar topics;
• understand and report on the main points of clear standard speech and authentic aural passages on various topics;
• apply a range of grammatical principles;
• make effective use of reference material such as grammars and dictionaries;
• use a range of language learning techniques and skills effectively by independently developing strategies to extend their lexis and knowledge of grammar
• research unfamiliar subjects and explain them in German
• work successfully as a team with other students.

• On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
• hold a presentation in German;
• write an essay demonstrating the ability to organise ideas in a logical and coherent sequence in sustained prose and critically analyse arguments;
• communicate information, ideas and arguments both orally and in writing;
• independently gather, process and reference information from a variety of paper, audio-visual and electronic resources;
• use IT effectively both as a means of communication and as an aide to learning.

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

• This module is delivered through seminar style classes;
• Contact time will be used to introduce new material and provide the students with high quality target language input from the module tutor and multimedia sources.
• Small group teaching (up to 15 students) will allow for the development of oral/aural skills as it offers all students the chance to participate in various communicative activities in pairs and groups.
• Ideally, seminar sessions would be particularly suitable in classrooms equipped with interactive white board facilities as it will allow the module tutor to put into place communicative activities stimulating the students and encouraging them to fully participate in the class.
• In preparation for each session students will be expected to revise new material and complete formative language exercises.
• The assessment scheme for this module is designed to test students' level of attainment in language production (speaking and writing) and reception (listening and reading). In order to reflect the continuous nature of the language learning process the module will be assessed by a combination of formative and summative in-course assessment and by formal written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly.

■ 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