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German Language, Written and Oral

Module description

The module is designed for students who studied the first-year language module (MLG1001) or possess equivalent expertise. It is designed to expand your vocabulary, to consolidate your understanding of grammar, and to enhance your oral, aural, reading, writing and translation skills. The module also focuses on the linguistic and cultural knowledge required for the year abroad; for example, you will learn how to write CVs and cover letters. In the oral classes, you will discuss topics that relate to contemporary life and culture in the German-speaking world and practise your aural comprehension using audio-visual exercises.

Module aims - intentions of the module

To extend the linguistic knowledge and the written and oral skills acquired in your first year.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Apply a knowledge of a broad range of grammatical features of German to a variety of linguistic tasks in the language
• 2. Present information and arguments in written German in answer to comprehension questions on specified topics
• 3. Translate formal letters into German using the correct layout and phraseology
• 4. Use a bilingual or learners' monolingual dictionary to glean information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms
• 5. Articulate your opinions and respond to the opinions of other in discussions and engage in role play exercises, dealing with a range of situations and scenarios related to the year abroad
• 6. Understand written and spoken German in a variety of contexts and from authentic sources

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Understand and use in class discussion a range of linguistic terms, using this terminology, to a limited extent, to identify and define your mistakes in the target language
• 8. Access, under instructions from the tutor and independently, a range of sources in the German-language media, including internet sources

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Communicate competently in a foreign language
• 10. Work in groups at solving advanced linguistic tasks

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

Term 1:

• Skills: You are introduced to translating formal letters into German and build on your experience of translation into and out of German acquired at Level 1.
• Topics: Areas covered include employment skills, such as CVs or job interviews.
• Grammar: You tackle advanced grammar topics such as advanced German sentence structure and formation of compound nouns.

Term 2:

• Skills: Comprehension and written response exercises in German.
• Topics: Areas covered include a range of topics relevant to the year abroad, such as the German university system.
• Grammar: You will continue to tackle advanced grammar topics such as indirect speech and modal particles.

The module is taught through two types of classes. In one, the focus is on written language (although audio-visual material is also used) and you work individually and in groups to tackle a range of linguistic exercises. Through regular written work, marked and returned by the course tutors, you learn to recognise and rectify your mistakes. In the other type of class, the focus is on oral German: you work in small groups and are asked to prepare presentations in German and engage in a range of exercises. Because independent work is essential to language acquisition, you are encouraged to make full use of the FLC's resource area, resources provided on ELE as well as internet resources.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Recommended grammar book: Martin Durrell, Katrin Kohl, Gundrun Loftus and Claudia Kaiser, Essential German Grammar (London: Routledge, 2015)

Recommended dictionary: Collins German Dictionary complete and Unabridged (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2013)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1380
• For vocabulary acquisition and consolidation we recommend the website www.Quizlet.com

Key words search

German, German Language, language, Germany, Exeter