2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM1010 German Language Awareness and Skills

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Bjorn Kasper
Email: b.kasper@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

German A-Levels (at least grade B) or equivalent (B1+ Level in German according to CEFR)

This module is mutually exclusive with

FLTU1443

Advanced German

Module replaces

GERM1030

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The German language is both the subject of your study in this module, and the basis for studying German at university level. In this module you will build on your existing language skills to consolidate and improve your skills in all areas of language learning (reading, listening, writing, speaking, grammar and vocabulary). You will reflect on the use of language and learn how to use language in different contexts including an academic context. You will develop the knowledge and skills required for successful oral and written communication in German. You will also gain an insight into contemporary topics relevant for German speaking countries. This is the core compulsory module for all Level One students on BA German and BA Joint Honours programmes involving German, but it may also be taken as a Discovery Module by students with a Grade B or above in German at A level.

Objectives

This module aims to:

- consolidate and further develop students’ German language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing
- establish a good grasp of basic and advanced German grammar and structures, focussing on grammar in context and the usage of grammar in authentic communicative situations
- develop students’ skills to analyse the usage of language in different contexts and registers, enhancing students’ language awareness
- encourage students to reflect on their own use of language as well as their language learning strategies
- broaden students’ general and topic-specific vocabulary
- engage students with authentic German-language materials
- engage students with topics relevant to life in German-speaking cultures

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a good awareness of the appropriate use of German language in different communicative situations
2. communicate sufficiently complex ideas in written and spoken German to participate in everyday conversation
3. demonstrate a good understanding of structures in the German language
4. compose texts in relatively accurate grammar
5. demonstrate an understanding of daily life and social conventions in German-speaking countries
6. critically reflect on their own language learning

Skills outcomes
Reading:
• the ability to understand the main ideas as well as relevant details of articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems
• the ability to read and understand a piece of contemporary German literature
• the ability to reflect on language use in different texts
Writing:
• the ability to produce clear, structured texts on a range of familiar subjects with adequate language use and a relatively high degree of grammatical control
• the ability to write an essay, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view
• the ability to apply results of language analysis to own writing
Listening:
• the ability to understand the main ideas of different oral text types in German
• the ability to analyse language use and register in oral texts
• the ability to understand standard German as well as being aware of German being a pluricentric language
Speaking:
• The ability to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that allows interaction at an appropriate level with native speakers in unprepared conversations
• The ability to narrate a story or a situation and to describe and substantiate personal viewpoints on the matter
• The ability to apply results of language analysis to own (prepared) speaking

Syllabus

This is a largely language skills-orientated module. Materials and exercises are chosen with a view to preparing students for the linguistic and cultural requirements of interaction with native speakers of German and the use of German in an academic context.

While the lectures deal with the consolidation of basic and advanced grammar, the language work in the seminars is based on materials from contemporary German life and culture.

Topics include social and cultural issues relevant to understanding German society.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	20	1.00	20.00
Seminars	20	2.00	40.00
Private study hours			140.00
Total Contact hours			60.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

• Preparation for and revision of seminars and lectures
• Completion of Portfolio
• Revision for the exam
• Autonomous grammar and vocabulary revision
• Independent language learning using own research skills (further reading, watching films, listening to music…)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

• Learning strategies poster
• Monitoring assessment (group work) for portfolio part 2
• practice essays
• Regular feedback in seminars

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	Part 1	30.00
Portfolio	Part 2	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	48 hr 00 mins	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:22:06

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