Advanced German Language Skills
| Module title | Advanced German Language Skills |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLG3111 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Ulrike Zitzlsperger (Convenor) Professor Sara Smart (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 45 |
|---|
Module description
In this core-module we keep building upon your German vocabulary and revise Grammar that is of particular importance in terms of practical exercises. These exercises are designed to further improve your advanced language skills but also to show-case your employability in due course.
In the first semester you will exercise translations into English, paying close attention to correctness in terms of content but this is also an opportunity to reflect your use of English. Throughout the year we will translate a variety of texts, but in particular journalistic articles from English into German. Here the focus is on improving linguistic accuracy. Finally, you will learn how to summarise German texts in German and to write short opinion-pieces, preparing your for potential tasks in a future work-place.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- To develop a high level of skill in written translation between English and German and in
composition in German.
- To develop fluency and expressiveness in oral German.
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 the target language (including some complex or advanced structures) to a range of linguistic exercises
- 2. Tackle complex translation passages into and out of the target language, based on a wide range of topics and written in a variety of styles
- 3. Argue a case in written German in answer to challenging questions on a broad range of abstract and contemporary issues
- 4. Use bilingual and standard monolingual dictionaries to research conventions of usage, find synonyms, and explore nuances of meaning
- 5. Discuss complex topical and abstract issues in an appropriate register of oral German, using a broad range of vocabulary and idiom
- 6. Give a structured oral presentation in the target language on an independently researched topic of his/her choice addressed to a small group of listeners, and engage in debate on the issues raised by the presentation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Understand and use in class discussion a broad range of linguistic terminology, using this terminology to a certain extent to conceptualize his/her mistakes in the target language and to identify strategies for improving his/her linguistic accuracy
- 8. Engage critically with German-language media (printed and electronic, including television and radio), using it as a resource for independent researches
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Communicate information and arguments of some complexity in a target language
- 10. Express and defend opinions on a wide range of current and abstract issues
- 11. Advance his/her linguistic competence independently, with limited guidance (with potential for learning new languages independently in the future)
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:
There is no formal syllabus for this module beyond that described under Learning/Teaching Methods, above.
In the weekly written language classes the focus is on translation from German into English and from English into German, using a range of texts in varying styles (journalistic, literary, historical, political). This work is supplemented by linguistic exercises designed to extend your knowledge of vocabulary and to revise advanced elements of grammar. In addition you will learn to write a German Stellungnahme which comprises two elements: a short summary of a prescribed text and a well-argued personal opinion based on the points raised.
In the weekly oral classes led by the lectors you engage in a variety of group and individual exercises to increase oral fluency and extend vocabulary. The classes also prepare you for the oral examination by offering practice in the discussion or academic and other topics.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 44 | Language classes (22 x 2 hour) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Oral classes (22 x 1 hour) |
| Guided independent study | 234 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular written and oral assignments | Various | 1-11 | Formative assessment is returned with corrections and annotations; course tutors are available for one-to-one tutorials in office hours |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 75 | 25 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination 1 | 50 | 2 hour | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
| Examination 2 | 25 | 1 hour | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
| Oral examination | 25 | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination | 1-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral examination | Oral examination | 1-11 | 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%.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | MLG2001 ‘German Language’ or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2013 |
| Last revision date | 06/02/2019 |