German Level 5

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

• process and engage with native speech with relative ease, identifying key details of complex arguments in a variety of contexts;
• interact with a high degree of fluency, spontaneity, and accuracy in a variety of contexts, including academic and scientific environments;
• extract almost all main ideas and most details of complex texts from a variety of genres and topics, including science and literature;
• write detailed, well-structured texts and explain viewpoints on a wide range of subjects.

For all these, you will be able to:

• apply complex structures and vocabulary from the B2/C1-advanced level range (CEFR);
• demonstrate an understanding of the target cultures by examining/ comparing a range of socio-political practices and perspectives, relating them to your own backgrounds and contexts of practice;
• use a wide range of digital language-learning tools to develop your research and presentation skills in the target language, to support independent learning and produce sophisticated work. 

In this module, you will:

• consolidate advanced linguistic structures;
• explore the style and register of various discourse types, identifying their purpose and function in practical situations;
• read and analyse texts (including texts relating to your main field of study);
• debate, critique, or report on current affairs.  

Language work will be contextualised within a varied range of topics related to German-speaking countries, ranging from social and demographic trends, cultural and economic issues, or scientific and technological developments.

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.

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: reading, listening and writing (350-400 words approx.)
• Coursework (20%): Project in mid-spring term, integrating receptive/productive skills, including 6-7 minute speaking (recorded presentation/ video/ interview).
• Examination (30%): 1-hour in-class test on the Virtual Learning Environment (BYOD), at the end of the spring term. It will include a writing on topics from the module (c. 400 words).
• Practical (30%): Oral exam in the summer term, including a presentation/ commentary on dossier, and unprepared discussion (approx. 25 mins, in total).

You will complete two pieces of summative coursework (set during mid-autumn term and mid-spring), 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.

Module materials

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

Grammar support

Übungsgrammatik für die Oberstufe, Niveau B2-C2, by Karin Hall & Barbara Scheiner, HUEBER 2016. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-3192074486.

Further information

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