MLG1001 - German Language
2011/2 Module description
| Staff | |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | |
| Pre-requisites | |
| Co-requisites | |
| Duration of Module |
Module aims
To reinforce and extend the level of the four skills - writing, reading, listening and speaking - achieved at 'A' level. To consolidate the student's understanding of German grammar, and facilitate his/her application of this to written and oral tasks. To increase the student's level of comprehension of written and spoken German. To enhance the student's ability to communicate in accurate German in a clear and structured manner. To expand the student's vocabulary in German.Syllabus plan
Term 1
Grammar lectures cover: 1. gender of nouns, 2. plural of nouns, 3. the case system, 4. the definite and
indefinite articles and their equivalents, 5. adjective endings, 6. verbs and tense, 7. prepositions and case,
8. verbs working with prepositions, 9. adjectival nouns, 10. conjunctions and subordinate clauses.
Term 2
Grammar lectures cover: 1. modal verbs in the indicative, 2. personal pronouns, 3. relative pronouns, 4.
interrogatives, 5. the passive, 6. dative constructions, 7. the subjunctive and conditional clauses, 8. modal
verbs in the subjunctive, 9. weak masculine nouns.
Over the two terms students practise translation into English and German and essay writing in German. In
the oral classes students practice their speaking and listening skills by means of a range of activities and
exercises.
Learning and teaching methods
The module is taught through four types of class.
First, the grammar lectures offer students a grounding in the basics of German
grammar, thus providing the foundation for Honours degree language work.
Second, the grammar practice hours provide opportunity for students to practise the
points discussed in the lecture. Students work individually and in groups at tackling a
range of linguistic exercises.
In the third language hour students engage in detailed linguistic analysis of a series of
texts focusing on the history, politics and culture of Germany and Austria. These texts
provide the basis for the regular written exercises (translation into German, translation
into English, essay writing). Through regular written work, marked and returned by the
course tutors, students learn to recognise and rectify their mistakes.
In the fourth class, the focus is on oral German: students work in small groups with a
Lektor and are asked to prepare short talks or Referate and practise speaking German
in discussions and role plays. In the oral classes students also practise their listening
comprehension skills and pronunciation.
Because independent work is essential to language acquisition, students are
encouraged to make full use of the FLC's resource area, of the Department's computerbased self-study system, and of the German-language newspapers and magazines
available in the University Library and through the Internet.
Indicative basic reading list
Indicative basic reading list:
A grammar to accompany the lectures as well as all texts discussed in class are supplied by the
Department and are available on-line. Grammar exercises are also available on-line.
Students may find the following grammar useful: Martin Durrell, Katrin Kohl and Gudrun Loftus, Essential
German Grammar (London: Arnold, 2002).
Recommended dictionary: Collins German Dictionary Complete and Unabridged (Glasgow:
HarperCollins, 1999)
Last revision date
14 August 2011
Total student study time
300 hours, including 20 x 1-hour grammar lectures, 20 x 1- hour grammar classes, 20 x 1-hour language classes based on the study of German texts dealing with the history, politics and culture of Germany and Austria, and 20 x 1-hour oral classes plus revision.Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
A. Module-Specific Skills:
1. Write and speak German with increased accuracy and fluency.
2. Apply knowledge of a range of grammatical features of the target language, including
some complex or advanced structures, to a range of linguistic exercises.
3. Use the target language in a range of linguistic exercises (including a short essay,
translation into German).
4. Use bilingual and monolingual dictionaries to expand vocabulary, establish basic
meanings, and find key grammatical information.
5. Give oral presentations in German to a small group of listeners, and engage in debate
on the issues raised in the presentation.
6. Express ideas and opinions in the German language, in oral and written form,
responding to texts dealing with the history, culture and politics of Germany and Austria,
the ideas of others in the group, and the questions of the tutor.
B. Discipline-Specific Skills:
1. Understand a broad range of linguistic terminology, and apply this to verbal and
written work.
2. Keep abreast of current affairs by engaging with the German-language media (printed
and electronic, including television and radio). C. Personal and Key Skills:
1. Communicate information in verbal and written form in a foreign language.
2. Express and defend opinions on a range of current issues.
3. Advance his/her linguistic competence independently, with guidance from course
tutors.
4. Use IT skills effectively to support language development.
Assignments and assessments
| Formative or % Contribution | Form of Assessment | Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length | ILOs assessed by this assessment | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formative | 5 homeworks per term | variable | All ILOs referring to written work | Written and class discussion |
| 25% | Oral, includes Referate (class presentations) and aural comprehension test | Continuous | M-S 1, 5; D-S 1; PK 1-2 | Verbal and feedback sheets |
| 25% | 2 grammar and vocabulary tests | 1 hour each | M-S 1- 3, D-S 1, P K 1, 3-4 | Written and class discussion |
| 50% | Written examination | 2 hours | All ILOs referring to written work | Exam feedback sheet. |
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