GER-90008 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

German 7 or equivalent (e.g. AS-level grade A, A level C, CEF level B1)

Barred Combinations

Description for 2020/21

This module is aimed at students with a good knowledge of German and will be taught predominantly in the target language. All basic skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) will be practised in the contact hours, and your communicative skills, vocabulary base and knowledge of grammar will be consolidated and expanded. The course is based around a series of texts focusing on life in contemporary Germany which will afford you an insight into the cultural background of German society, dealing with issues such as reunification, "Ostalgie", and follow-on social and political problems.
You will move from being able to communicate in everyday situations to discussing more complex issues with confidence. This will be practised in the classroom situation in a variety of ways: pair work and debates, as well as listening comprehensions and audiovisual material that familiarises you with authentic linguistic features. In the self-study time, these skills will be consolidated with the help of exercises on KLE, and German Internet sites that will expand your vocabulary base and further your understanding of German life and culture. The language learning process will be charted in the reflective diary and provide valuable tools to improve language acquisition. Feedback on formative and summative assessments will be provided at regular intervals.
Upon successful completion of this module, students will normally have reached level B2 of the Common European Language Framework (CEFR - B2)

This module aims to build on students' existing knowledge of German and consolidates all areas of grammar, while at the same time expanding the vocabulary base to enable students to confidently discuss various aspects of contemporary German society, such as reunification, "Ostalgie", and follow-on social and political problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

understand some TV news and current affairs programmes: 2
take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts: 1
present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest: 1,2
write detailed texts on a range of subjects: 2
demonstrate reasonably accurate usage of the language with regard to register, vocabulary, grammar and style: 1,2
understand and discuss with reference to sources a variety of cultural issues that have shaped contemporary Germany: 1,2
exploit resources to research topics (newspapers, German webpages, current affairs programmes etc): 2
understand contemporary literary prose: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours of synchronous and asynchronous class time
100 hours class preparation and revision and private study
22 hours revision for and completion of written exam
8 hours preparation for and attendance at spoken interaction exam

School Rules

Admission to the module must be confirmed through completion of a language level self-assessment form
Students are only permitted to take one German language module per semester.

Description of Module Assessment