Module Information

Module Identifier
GE30100
Module Title
GERMAN LANGUAGE
Academic Year
2010/2011
Co-ordinator
Dr Winifred V Davies
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
(Normally) Eligibility for entry to Level 3 German.
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 3 hours per week + 1 hour per fortnight
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Eight written assignments (4 under exam conditions) 20%; Oral 10%; Listening comprehension 20%.  Continuous Assessment:  50%
Semester Exam The oral Examination takes the form of a 20-minute interview with two members of staff (one of whom may be the external examiner, or who may join). 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 the presentation itself. The topic will be drawn from one of the 8-10 topics covered during the final-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.  Oral Examination:  20%
Semester Exam 1x3 Hours   written examination  30%
Supplementary Exam 3 Hours   1 x 3-hour 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:

- quantify your own improvement in German vocabulary, grammatical knowledge and spoken language since before going abroad
- translate idiomatically into and out of German, using factual or fictional texts
- translate selected unseen passages in class
- prepare passages for translation and discussion in class
- explain and justify your own choice and use of different linguistic registers
- demonstrate active command of stylistic levels of German
- demonstrate competence in preparing effectively for essay-writing: structuring work, constructing logical argument and expressing ideas in the appropriate linguistic register
- apply language skills acquired in German, and during the year abroad, with particular emphasis on achieving as native-like a pronunciation as possible
- express yourself with confidence using a rich and varied vocabulary
- apply orally the complex vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in written classes
- present independently prepared material in spoken or written German
- analyse and discuss complex German texts
- give detailed insight into German cultural and political affairs


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. Three of the hours will include the teaching of grammar and students will also do a range of exercises designed to consolidate their linguistic and stylistic competence, eg. translating, precise-writing, report-writing, debating. The whole class will be taught together in these hours. In 1 of the weekly hours students will be divided into small groups and will do a range of listening/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 a variety of exercises, many carried out in or directly arising from class work, such as: unseen translations; report-writing; responses to topical news items (in broadcast, print or internet media); group presentations, etc. There will be some assignments to be completed at home in the traditional manner or within a limited time (akin to `take-away? examinations).

Listening comprehension 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 own time (e.g. in the language labs).

Reading List

Recommended Consultation
A.E. Hammer, revised by M. Durrell German Grammar and Usage Edward Arnold Primo search Duden Stilworterbuch Primo search M. Durrell Using German CUP Primo search M. Durrell (2000) Using German Synonyms CUP Primo search R.B. Farrell Dictionary of German Synonyms CUP Primo search The New Collins German-English, English-German Dictionary The Oxford-Duden Dictionary (German-English, English-German) W. Davies Essay-writing in German MUP Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6