German Level 3

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

• respond to and produce connected and comprehensible spoken language in familiar contexts;
• respond to and produce written texts of moderate complexity, using grammar and vocabulary from the B1-intermediate level range (CEFR);
• demonstrate intercultural awareness in your handling of routine social interactions in German and in your use of language;
• use a range of digital language-learning tools, to support your production and expand your knowledge.

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:

• passive voice (present tense and past tenses), past tense;
• pluperfect;
• present participle used as adjectives;
• pronouns;
• sentence structure: connectors, sub-ordinate clauses,
• subjunctive.

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

• intercultural communication
• regions and cities in Germany
• research and science
• social issues: volunteering and online realities
• higher education in Germany and student experience
• transport and environmental issues
• visions of the future
• use of digital media
• urban planning

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.

Weekly preparation tasks set on the Virtual Learning Environment and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills at your own pace and to develop your awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently. Following a flipped-classroom approach, you will be provided with materials to study independently beforehand, and then will apply these during classroom time, ensuring thus that face-to-face time is devoted for interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities, but also seeks to support different learning preferences.

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 (20%): Integrated skills pack, in mid-autumn term, including receptive/productive skills: listening and writing (c. 150 words).
• Coursework (20%): Integrated skills project, set at the end of autumn term (submission in spring term), including individual 2-3 minute video production. 
• Examination (30%): 1-hour in-class test on the Virtual Learning Environment (BYOD), at the end of spring term, testing: reading, lexical awareness and writing (c. 180-200 words).
• Practical (30%): Oral exam in the summer term, including group discussion on dossier and unprepared communicative tasks (approx. 15 mins. per student, in total).

You will complete two pieces of summative coursework (set during mid-autumn term and mid-spring term), which will include rubrics and revision guidance to ensure you are supported when completing your work and so that you are aware of the assessment expectations. There will also be a 1-hour in-class examination (scheduled at the end of spring term), and one practical - in the form of an oral examination (at the end of spring term or during the summer term). All summative assessments contribute to the final module grade/mark.

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. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Coursebook

Relevant reading lists and/or materials will be published on the VLE.

Additional materials

Articles from contemporary German press; DVDs and online videos.

Further information

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