German 1 - Beginners

Code

MLAC1110

School

Modern Languages and Cultures

Level

1

Credits

40

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

The module will develop your knowledge of the German Language and your ability to understand and communicate information in German in the A2/B1 range of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).  To ensure progress towards these goals, you will enjoy exposure to written, audio and audio-visual documents appropriate to this level of study.  Such exposure will be supplemented by learning activities that develop your comprehension (reading/listening) of the texts, explicit knowledge of German grammar, your proficiency in spoken and written German and your knowledge and understanding of the German-speaking world.

Target Students

Available for students with no previous knowledge of German. Students with prior knowledge up to but not normally exceeding GCSE level or equivalent are also eligible to take this module. It is available to you if you are taking a Joint Honours or Combined Honours programme where beginners' German is available.

Classes

• Six 1-hour seminars each week for 21 weeks

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of the Semester. The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures provides a rich menu of extra-curricular events throughout the academic year.

Assessment

• 10% Coursework 3: Continuous assessment by coursework (covering all 4 skills): writing exercise in semester 2
• 20% Oral Exam: 10-15 min. Oral exam. in Spring semester
• 10% Listening Exam: Listening exam (1 hour) at the end of term 2
• 10% Coursework 1: Continuous assessment by coursework (covering all 4 skills): take home test in semester 1
• 10% Coursework 2: Continuous assessment by coursework (covering all 4 skills): test in semester 2
• 40% Exam 1 (2-hour)

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of this module you will be able to: 

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of German vocabulary, structures and registers necessary to perform effectively in the A2/B1 range of the CEFR (A1);

• demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the differences and similarities between the German and English languages as well as between German speaking societies and cultures and your own (A4).

B. Intellectual Skills

By the end of this module you will be able to: 

• gather, process and evaluate information from a variety of sources (paper, audio, audio-visual, electronic) in English and German (B1); 

• you will learn to identify and describe questions and problems, and to resolve them (B4).

C. Linguistic Skills

By the end of this module you will be able to: 

• comprehend written, audio and audio-visual texts in German on topics ranging from everyday to current affairs (C2 and C3); 

• perform spoken and written tasks in the A2/B1 range of the Common European Framework (C1);

• be able to translate basic texts from German into English on topics ranging from the everyday to current affairs (C2).

D. Professional, Practical and Transferable Skills

By the end of this module you will be able to: 

• demonstrate effective organisation and time management skills; write and think productively under pressure (in examination conditions) (D7); 

• demonstrate the ability to work individually and in groups (D4 and D5);

• and to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to reinforce the former and improve the latter (D9); 

• use IT both as a means of communication and as an aide to learning (D8).

Conveners

• Dr Josefine Dolle