On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• process and engage with native speech with ease identifying details of complex arguments in a variety of contexts;
• interact with a very high degree of fluency, spontaneity, and accuracy in a variety of contexts including academic and scientific environments;
• extract all ideas including details of complex texts from a variety of genres (incl. literature) and topics;
• write detailed, well-structured texts and explain viewpoints on a wide range of subjects;
• apply your knowledge and skills of complex structures and vocabulary at C1/C2-level (in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• demonstrate an understanding of the target cultures by examining and comparing a range of socio-political practices and perspectives and relating them to your own backgrounds and contexts of practice;
• demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of digital language learning tools to develop your research and presentation skills in the target language and support independent learning.

In this module, the following linguistic structures will be revised and practised:

• modal particles;
• verbs, nouns and adjectives in prepositional constructions;
• punctuation;
• set expressions.

You will have the opportunity to broaden your vocabulary and register and consolidation of syntax through the study and discussion of a range of genres.

These linguistic structures will be applied to various technical and scientific topics related to your interests (and encompassing your specialist discipline), these include:

• environmental or societal issues;
• topics centered around current issues in German speaking countries, including their history such as BAME groups;
• topics arising from the texts studied in class and arising from the literary text (Daniel Kehlmann, Die Vermessung der Welt), in particular referring to the natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt and the mathematician CF Gauss such as colonialism and related contemporary issues, will be covered.

In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodologies, the in-class activities you will complete will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair work and groupwork (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion), individual tasks, discovery and formulation of grammatical rules, work with texts, etc. Homework and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills and to develop your awareness of how to use language learning tools independently. Our approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities, but also seeks to support different learning styles.

Your coursework will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed with each coursework. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.

• Coursework (15%): Set mid-autumn term, on the virtual learning environment, consisting of video speaking task (approx. 10 mins).
• Examination (15%): In-class test, on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This 1-hour test will take place at the end of autumn term. It will consist of grammar tasks and one writing task (approx. 300 words).
• Coursework (15%): Set mid-spring term, on the virtual learning environment, consisting of listening
  comprehension (approx. 8-10 mins) and writing task (approx. 350 words). (Time allowed: 1.5 hours)
• Examination (20%): In-class test, on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This 1-hour test will take place at the end of spring term. It will consist of grammar and writing tasks (approx. 400 words).
• Practical (35%): 25-min oral exam in the summer term, consisting of short ad-hoc discussion of a topic covered in class, plus follow-on questions, questions on the literary text, and general conversation.

Assessment information for students on a course with a year abroad

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Module Materials

Technical and other texts from the contemporary German language press and scientific journals, including, for example, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Die Zeit, Der Tagesspiegel (Berlin), FAZ, Der Spiegel, Der Standard a wide variety of other texts or films relating to contemporary German speaking countries and their recent history; supporting video and audio material.

Core text: Daniel Kehlmann, Die Vermessung der Welt, Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH,  ISBN-10: 3499241005, ISBN-13: 978-3499241000

Further information for Year Abroad/Year in Europe Students
Further information for BSc Hons and MSc Language for Science Degrees