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Study information

German Language, Written and Oral

Module titleGerman Language, Written and Oral
Module codeMLG2001
Academic year2023/4
Credits30
Module staff

Dr Ina Linge (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

11

Module description

The module is designed for students who studied the first-year language module (MLG1001) or possess equivalent language proficiency. 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, reading, oral and aural skills acquired by students in their first year and to equip students with the linguistic and cultural knowledge required for the year abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. Apply 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 others 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

The module will cover some or all of the following:

Term 1:

  • Skills: You will be 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 will tackle advanced grammar topics such as advanced German sentence structure and formation of compound nouns.

Vocabulary: You will build your active and passive vocabulary in areas that relate to your year abroad

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 or intercultural communication.
  • Grammar: You will continue to tackle advanced grammar topics such as indirect speech and modal particles.
  • Vocabulary: You will continue to build your active and passive vocabulary in areas that relate to your year abroad

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 assignments, 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 engage in a range of exercises, such as discussions, job interviews or role plays related to the year abroad. You will work with a wide range of authentic language materials, such as newspaper articles, job adverts, podcasts or videos. Because independent work is essential to language acquisition, you are encouraged to make full use of the Language Centre’s resource area, resources provided on ELE as well as internet resources.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
662340

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching44Language seminars (44 x 1 hour)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Oral language classes (22 x 1 hour)
Guided Independent Study234Independent study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
6 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking, translation.Variable1-10Written or group or peer feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
502525

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio50As described on the ELE page1-4, 6, 8-10Written feedback
Written Exam (summer exam period)251 hour1-2, 4, 9
Oral2515 minutes5-6, 9-10Written or oral feedback

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
PortfolioPortfolio1-4, 6, 8-10Referral/Deferral period
Written Exam Written Exam 1-2, 4, 9Referral/Deferral period
OralOral5-6, 9-10Referral/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

Recommended grammar book:

  • Martin Durrell, Katrin Kohl, Gundrun Loftus and Claudia Kaiser, Essential German Grammar (London: Routledge, 2015)
  • Vocabulary training: Arwen Schnack, Wortschatz B2. Das Training (Stuttgart: Klett, 2020).

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

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

  • See MLG2001 ELE page for module-specific online resources

  • For vocabulary acquisition and consolidation we recommend the website Quizlet.com

Key words search

German, German Language, language, Germany, intermediate German, advanced German

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

MLG1001 or equivalent

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

24/07/2013

Last revision date

31/07/2020