FLG2130 - German Beginners Fast-Track
2020/1 Module description
| Staff | Dr Hadaya Chisholm El Saad - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 5 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module description
German Beginners Fast-Track covers the equivalent of German Beginners and Intermediate 1 in one year. It is intended for students who have a successful track record of learning another modern foreign language (e.g. GCSE A*-B grade or equivalent). It may also be suitable for re-starters wanting to review the basics of German language. Students will need to understand basic terminology for grammatical structures.
You will learn how to understand straightforward written and spoken texts, based on familiar scenarios found in work, study and leisure environments. You will also be able to communicate effectively on a wide range of topics from everyday situations.
It also provides an introduction to the customs, culture and society of the regions and countries in which German is spoken..
Module aims
German Beginners Fast-Track provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context. The module is taught as far as possible in German.
German Beginners Fast-Track aims to:
- Provide you with a solid foundation of the basic grammatical structures of German and the linguistic tools to enable you to communicate effectively in everyday situations across the four key language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
- Enable participants to give and understand information and to achieve a confident elementary level of communicative competence in everyday situations.
- Provide an introduction to the customs, culture and society of the regions/countries in which German is spoken and to develop your awareness of the general social and cultural background of German
German Beginners Fast-Track exit level is broadly equivalent to A2 Basic User level of the Common European Framework.
Students who successfully complete this module will normally progress directly to German Intermediate 2, FLG2330.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of German.
- 2. Read and comprehend straightforward written and aural texts on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, study, leisure etc in German.
- 3. Communicate effectively on a broad range of general topics which are familiar or of personal interest, both orally and in writing, and produce short descriptive and narrative texts, formal and informal letters.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise your learning with guidance from the tutor.
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, such as a reference grammar and bilingual dictionary, to consolidate your learning.
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. Make a presentation on a topic pertinent to everyday occurrences in your field and hold a conversation in German which may involve expressing opinions and making value judgments.
- 7. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture.
Syllabus plan
The module will cover some or all of the following topics:
Main Topics (non-exhaustive):
- Greeting others and introducing oneself
- Daily Routines
- Family&Friends
- Healthy eating
- This is our house / flat
- Understanding directions and talking about locations in a town
- Shopping - buying and describing items of clothing
- Talking about past / future dates
- travel and accommodation
- school
- education and professions
- TV programmes
- the world of work
- Expressing likes and dislikes
- Growing up now and in the past
Main grammar (non-exhaustive):
- Alphabet and numbers
- word order in sentences
- questions & polite Imperatives
- conjugation in the present tense
- Genders of nouns
- possessive pronouns
- Objects and their genders
- use of possessive pronouns
- informal & formal ways of addressing people
- Expressing likes & dislikes - gern/lieber/am liebsten; ein/kein
- verbs + direct object,
- The time; the days of the week
- Use of modal verbs prepositions + accusative or dative,
- Adjective endings in front of nouns,
- 'Es gibt' (There is / are) ... + Accusative
- adjectives in attributive/ predicative position
- Use of the informal Imperative
- prepositions 'zum'/'zur' + Dative
- Demonstrative adjectives
- subordinate clauses introduced by 'dass'
- use of the past tense forms (past tense of haben / sein + past participle of the verb)
- Verbs with prefixes
- direct/ indirect objects
- dative pronouns
- adverbs of time
- ordinal numbers
- Weak and strong verbs in the past tense - past participles
- Use of past and future tense forms
- Use of the prefect tense in talking about the past
Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work and role playing, and include the study of texts, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises.
You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a successful language learner. You will receive regular feedback on your progress from class activities, homework assignments etc.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | 212 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 88 | Language classes |
| Guided Independent Study | 212 | Consolidate class work by learning vocabulary and structures and by reading, watching or listening to material in German. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write short assignments and generally begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. Learning activities are supported by various media, including audio, video/DVD, and, where appropriate, computer software. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking. | Variable | 1-5,7 | Written and oral |
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 | Variable | 1-5; 7 | Written and oral |
| Oral Examination | 25 | Approx. 10 minutes. | 1,3-7 | Written and oral |
| Written Examination | 25 | Take-home exam | 1-5, 7 | Written and oral |
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 | 1-5; 7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral examination | Oral examination | 1, 3-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-5,7 | 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
- Begegnungen: Kurs-Und Arbeitsbuch A1 + MIT 2 CDs, Schubert Verlag (1 Oct 2008)
- Begegnungen: Kurs-Und Arbeitsbuch A2 + MIT 2 CD's, Schubert Verlag (1 Oct 2008)
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Jones/Lawlor, Practice in German Grammar, Nelson Thornes Ltd; 2 Rev Ed edition,
- 2001 Dictionary: Collins/Robert German Dictionary or similar.
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
06/02/2012
Last revision date
28/07/2020
Key words search
German Beginners Fast-Track; German Beginners; German Ab Initio; German
Important please note
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Foreign Language Centre modules 2020/21
Term 1 module codes listed above ending with C, i.e. FLF1115C, are only available to outbound students who are away in Term 2. Students studying all year must select the standard module across both Term 1 and 2.