German Language, Written and Oral
| Module title | German Language, Written and Oral |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLG2001 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Ina Linge (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 seminars (44 x 1 hour) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Oral language 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking, translation. | Variable | 1-10 | Written or group or peer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 25 | 25 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 50 | As described on the ELE page | 1-4, 6, 8-10 | Written feedback |
| Written Exam (summer exam period) | 25 | 1 hour | 1-2, 4, 9 | |
| Oral | 25 | 15 minutes | 5-6, 9-10 | Written or oral 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 | 1-4, 6, 8-10 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written Exam | Written Exam | 1-2, 4, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral | Oral | 5-6, 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
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
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
