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German for Business

Module description

German for Business is designed for students who have spent a period of study/work in a country where German is spoken and/or have completed appropriate Advanced level courses. The module focuses on developing all four core language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of current business-related contexts. You will be expected to have an interest in using German in business contexts, although no formal prior business study is required. The module is taught in German. Please note that this module is not appropriate for native speakers of the language.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module is appropriate for students who have spent a period of study / work in a country where the language is spoken (such as students on a ‘with European study’ programme) and/or have completed Advanced level courses (FLG3530/3515 or equivalent). 

This module is broadly equivalent to C1/C1+ (exit level) – Proficient user of the common European framework for languages, and aims to:

• review and consolidate advanced structures and vocabulary of the target language, extending these to cover specifically vocational and business-oriented topics.
• develop the particular skills required to understand and use written and spoken German as used in general business contexts.
• develop the economic terms and concepts encountered, for example, in non-specialist but informed publications devoted to current business affairs.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate a consistent grammatical control of complex language and structures of the target language
• 2. Read, comprehend and summarise a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers on business-related topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with business issues in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
• 3. Communicate confidently, fluently and precisely in range of business-related situations, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate the ability to research a specialist business topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Demonstrate advanced levels of autonomy in language learning and ability to research a project with minimal direction from the teacher
• 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including a specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 6. Give an oral presentation confidently and articulately on a business-related topic, expanding on and responding to requests for further information from others, and hold a job interview situation in the target language
• 7. Work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team, reacting to situations as appropriate
• 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign business culture

Syllabus plan

The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring advanced structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. At this level, you are expected to demonstrate competence in the use of all advanced grammatical structures. However, there may be remedial revision/consolidation of certain grammar topics.

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

Main topics

• Experience in German-speaking countries and individual business interests
• German industry sectors and features of the economy
• The company and organisational structures
• Marketing and sales
• Presenting a business
• Globalisation and digitisation
• Sustainable development
• The changing world of work
• Intercultural communication
• Job application and interview techniques

You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a proficient language learner.

For this module, you will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning advanced business vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material in German. You will receive regular feedback on your progress from class activities, homework assignments and formative assessment tasks.

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%.

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

There is no coursebook for this module and you will work with a range of authentic German-speaking materials.  Please see ELE for recommended resources.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=960

Recommended websites:

• www.dw.com/de 
• www.faz.de
• www.bpb.de
• www.spiegel.de
• www.zeit.de
• www.diewelt.de
• www.sueddeutsche.de
• www.nzz.ch
• www.diepresse.com 
• www.heute.de
• www.manager-magazin.de
• www.handelsblatt.com

Key words search

German, business, German for Business, Advanced German, German Language