German Language for Beginners
| Module title | German Language for Beginners |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLG1052 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Sam Osborn () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 14 |
|---|
Module description
The importance of Germany within a European and global context is well understood: it is a major economic power with considerable political influence. This module is designed to provide you with the skills to write and speak German as well as to train you in reading and listening comprehension, so enhancing your employability, but also giving you access to a culture that is rich in literature and art, music and film.
This module can be taken by students who have no prior knowledge of German, but it is also available for those who have learned German up to GCSE level or equivalent.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This intensive language module aims to give you a practical working knowledge of the language, enabling you to acquire the skills to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, so that you can express opinions, and compare and contrast viewpoints. The module aims to train you in all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening comprehension) as well as to equip you with the required grammatical knowledge and vocabulary to deal with a range of topics and situations. The module aims to give beginners and GCSE entrants a firm grounding in the German language which will enable you to continue your studies of the language at stages 2-4 (NQF levels 5-6).
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of German
- 2. Understand texts written in German
- 3. Express ideas and opinions orally and in writing in German
- 4. Use German to engage in role plays and group discussions
- 5. Write letters and other short texts in German on a limited range of practical and descriptive themes
- 6. Attempt straightforward translation exercises out of German
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Understand the principles of learning a new language intensively, and organise your own learning with guidance from the tutor
- 8. Use available learning aids to consolidate your own learning
- 9. Use reference grammar books and bilingual and monolingual dictionaries to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing and expression in German
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Communicate at a basic level in German
- 11. Express and discuss views individually and/or as part of a group
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:
You will work through a course book, covering all essential points of grammar, consolidating skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The module consists of 5 hours a week in which grammatical structures as well as vocabulary will be introduced in context. You will have the opportunity to practise language skills in class and in set homework in an integrated manner. Through the module you will also explore the culture of German-speaking countries and work with a range of authentic materials, such as videos or songs.
You will receive regular feedback on your work in class and individually.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | 190 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 110 | Five weekly classes over 22 weeks, introducing grammatical material, written and reading comprehension exercises, listening and speaking practice |
| Guided Independent Study | 190 | Independent study with guidance provided by language tutors |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 formative tasks per year, covering a range of language skills | Variable | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 40 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 10 | 10 minutes overall | 1-4,7,10-11 | Written or oral feedback |
| Portfolio | 50 | As described on the ELE page | 1-3,5-11 | Written feedback |
| Written examination | 40 | 2 hours | 1-2,5-7,10 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 1-3,5-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral | Oral | 1-4,7,10-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-2,5-7,9-10 | Referral/Deferral period |
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%.
You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Dollenmayer, David B. & Thomas S. Hansen (2014). Neue Horizonte: Introductory German. 8th edn. Boston: Heinle Cengage Learning. (International Edition).
- Dollenmayer, David B., Ellen W. Crocker & Thomas S. Hansen (2014). Neue Horizonte: Student Activity Manual, 8th edn. Boston: Heinle Cengage Learning.
(Both books will be available to you for a discounted price in the campus bookshop).
- Recommended dictionary: Collins German Dictionary
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4935
- Links to exercises to be available via module ELE site.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
A wide range of language learning materials is available in the Foreign Language Centre, the Library as well as online. As part of the module, your tutors will provide guidance on the materials best suited for guided independent language learning.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 05/11/2014 |
| Last revision date | 13/07/2020 |
