German Level 5

On successful completion of this module, you will be able 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 as well as 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 B2/C1 Level (in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• 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;
• demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of digital language-learning tools to develop your research and presentation skills in the target language to support independent learning.

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

• passive, tenses, subordinate (relative) clauses;
• complex sentence constructions;
• participles;
• prepositional phrases;
• verb-noun phrases;
• metaphorical expressions;
• set phrases and stylistic variations;
• broadening of vocabulary and register and consolidation of syntax.

These linguistic structures will be applied to various technical and scientific topics related to your specialist discipline alongside the literary text studied (Das Leben des Galilei by B. Brecht).

Topics cover:

• the discussion of the role of scientists in society;
• current challenges in science and technology;
• ethical questions concerning scientific/technical development and research;
• discussion of current issues based on articles in German language publications.

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%): Mid-autumn term project-based coursework including reading, listening & writing (350-400 words approx.).
• Examination (10%): In-class test, on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This 1-hour test will take place at the end of the autumn term. It will consist of questions on the literary text (total of approx. 300 words) and related language tasks.
• Coursework (20%): Mid-spring term. Poster and recorded presentation (6-7 mins).
• 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 the spring term. It will include a writing on topics from the course and related tasks (ca. 400 words).
• Practical (35%): 20-25 minute oral exam in the summer term, including a presentation or commentary on topics from the course, and unprepared discussion.

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
Audiovisual materials on selected topics; articles from contemporary German press and scientific journals; and a German literary text (tbc) supplemented by video material.

Additional support material will be provided through Blackboard.

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

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