| Module Identifier |
GE20130 |
| Module Title |
GERMAN LANGUAGE |
| Academic Year |
2007/2008 |
| Co-ordinator |
Mr Alexander Christian Mangold |
| Semester |
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters) |
| Other staff |
Mr Alexander Christian Mangold |
| Pre-Requisite |
(Normally) Eligibility for entry to Level 2 German |
| Course delivery |
Seminars / Tutorials | 1 weekly + 1 fortnightly hour = core |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | Oral Examination: The oral examination takes the form of a 20-minute interview with the oral class tutor. During this interview the candidate will be asked: (a) to offer a brief presentation (maximum 5-7 minutes), in German, on a selected topic and (b) to engage in a general conversation, arising in the first instance from one of the 6-8 topics covered during the second-year oral classes. Only one topic will be provided per candidate. Candidates thus need to be prepared to discuss a wide range of topics.
The presentation topic will be provided to the candidate 20 minutes before the examination (exact arrangements will be on the notice-board well before the examination). Candidates are reminded that they are not allowed to read from a script; they may not bring extensive notes to the examination (notes will be collected at the end of the examination); they must not deliver a previously learnt speech. The presentation should lead into (and be constructed so as to lead into) a conversation and further discussion of the topic. A more general conversation will follow. | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Continuous Assessment: Ten written assignments (5 under exam conditions) 50%; Oral 10%; Listening comprehension 20%. | 80% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1x3 Hours written examination (unless ONLY the oral component is failed, in which case the supplementary exam will be an oral examination). | 100% |
|
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, if you have made satisfactory progress, you will be able to:
- identify your own improvement in German vocabulary and grammatical knowledge in written - and spoken language
- differentiate between major stylistic levels of German
- recognise and understand different linguistic registers in German
- translate selected German passages showing idiomatic, authentic style and grammatical usage
- present independently prepared material in spoken or written German
- discuss and debate topical issues in German
- summarise in your own words selected pieces of written or spoken German
- give your own insights into contemporary German life and culture
- take part in role-plays in German
- enter into conversation in German with confidence in your ability to express youself
Language modules have, as an integral part of their structure, regular homework assignments and class tests as well as end of year examinations. All assessment is designed to measure your progress against learning outcomes at the appropriate level.
Brief description
This is a thin module with 3 hours per week and 1 hour per fortnight extending over Semesters 1 and 2. One weekly hour and the fortnightly hour will be devoted to the teaching of grammar and the whole class will be taught together. In 2 of the weekly hours students will be divided into small groups and will do a range of listening/writing/oral exercises. All classes will be devoted to the integrated study of the German language in its cultural context. Continuous assessment marks will be derived from work set in the weekly classes and from class texts held during the weekly hour.
Ten pieces of written work will be required over the year, of which half will be completed in class: these will count for double the weighting of the exercises completed outside the classes. If assessed work is missing, the module marks (for this element of the assessment) will be reviewed at the end of the year. If you have a valid and documented reason for non-submission, the average of the CA will be calculated across the marks of work which was received. If there was no such reason, then a mark of zero will be entered and the average will be calculated across the full range of required work.
Listening comprehension (a skill of considerable importance for the Intercalary Year) will be practised from time to time during the year in class. It will be assessed by tests which will contribute 20% of the total marks for the module. You are expected and strongly advised to practise listening comprehension in your time (e.g. in the Language Resource Centre).
Aims
The aims of the module are:
1. To consolidate students' knowledge of German grammar and vocabulary, with the ultimate aim of fostering accuracy in writing German.
2. To train students to translate accurately into English (or German) passages of continuous German (English) prose. Accuracy refers to content, idiom and style, and to grammatical usage, i.e. the translation ought to include all the information in the original and this ought to be expressed in English (German) that sounds as if a native-speaker had written it, that is grammatically correct, and is as formal or informal as the original.
3. To develop students' oral competence.
Reading Lists
Books
** Should Be Purchased
em: Abchlusskurs Deutsch als Fremdsprache
Max Hueber Verlag 3190016283
** Recommended Text
Langenscheidts Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdesprache
3468490003
A.E. Hammer . Revised by M. Durrell. German Grammar and Usage
Edward Arnold - paperback
Durrell, M. et al. (2002) Essential German Grammar.
Arnold 0340741899
The New Collins German-English, English-German Dictionary OR
The Oxford-Duden Dictionary (German-English, English-German)
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5