Module Information

Module Identifier
GE30100
Module Title
German Language
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Dr Andrea Hammel
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 20%: 8 written assignments, 4 of them under exam conditions (those taken under exam conditions counting twice as much as the others); 10%: oral (4 marks based on attendance, active contribution and performance in small oral groups); 20%: listening comprehension (4 tests).  50%
Semester Exam The oral Examination takes the form of a 15-minute interview with two members of staff (one of whom may be the external examiner, who may join in). During this interview the candidate will be asked: (a) to offer a brief presentation (maximum 5-7 minutes) in the target language on a selected topic and (b) to engage in a general conversation arising in the first instance from the presentation itself. Some weeks before the oral exam, students will be provided with 8 topics taken from the topics covered during the oral classes throughout the year. They will need to prepare all eight of these topics as only one of them will be given to the student in the exam. The final exam topic will be provided to the candidate at the beginning of the examination. There will be no period of preparation time immediately beforehand. Candidates are reminded that they are not allowed to read from a script and are not allowed to bring any notes into the examination room; 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 Exam 3 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, precis-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