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GER10010

Academic Year 2024/2025

German Language I a (GER10010)

Subject:
German
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Joseph Twist
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a level 1 module for students who have studied German to Leaving Cert level or have an equivalent standard. GER10010 aims to provide a strong foundation for the study of German language (and culture) at third level. Reading, writing, oral, aural and grammar competences are taught in an integrated way, using both a coursebook and authentic materials that provide insights into the cultures and societies of the German-speaking world. Students will engage with different text types and audio/visual sources on a variety of topics. The grammar covered in this module especially focuses on accuracy when using different tenses and varied sentence structures. This module will be delivered on campus. To progress well in this module, students will need to attend all three weekly classes and participate actively, while also developing strategies for independent learning. Students who have achieved at least a B grade in this module are deemed to be successfully progressing towards the CEFR level B1.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: - demonstrate an understanding of both the gist and specific information of written and audio-visual texts that relate to the topics covered in the module - differentiate between and use the two different modes (indicative and subjunctive) with reasonable accuracy - give a clear and grammatically accurate presentation on topics covered in the module - write intelligible, well-structured texts on topics covered in the module, giving reasons and explanations for opinions, plans and actions - recognise and use a repertoire of grammatical tenses and sentence structures with reasonable accuracy

Indicative Module Content:

Thematic topics include arriving in a new country, starting university, food in Germany, advertisements, history and memory.

Grammar topics include word order and sentence structure, the Konjunktiv II (conditional/subjunctive), past tenses and future tenses.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

45
Lectures

10
Small Group

20
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Grammar and thematic content are taught in an integrated way through the coursebook Mittelpunkt neu B1+. This is available from the Campus Bookshop from early September.

Students will engage with a variety of written and audio/visual texts, taken from the coursebook and from authentic sources.

There is a strong emphasis on active-based learning and each classes will feature different activities (individual and in groups) and also peer learning. Classes are taught primarily through German. There are three weekly classes, and one of these will focus on spoken German.

All students are expected to engage fully with all three weekly classes as scheduled in the timetable.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Leaving Certificate German (Higher level) or equivalent

Learning Recommendations:

Students who did not take the Higher Level Leaving Certificate in German should attend an advisory session in the German section before or during the first week of the semester to be adequately advised on the suitability of this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
GER10100 - German Beginners A, GER10120 - Spoken German for Beginners, GER20180 - Intensive German Ex-Beginners, GER20240 - German for Ex-Beginners A, GER20250 - German for Ex-Beginners B, LANG10100 - German Gen Purp 1, LANG10110 - German Gen Purp 4, LANG10130 - German Gen Purp 2, LANG20450 - German for General Purposes 4


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In-class grammar and reading comprehension test Week 5 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Group Work Assignment: Podcast in target language Week 12 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): grammar and free writing exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Demonstration of sufficient participation in classroom activities and completion of homework Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
15
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback and oral group feedback, together with peer-to-peer feedback on occasion, is given after all written homework in preparation for the exam. Oral feedback is given throughout class activities. There is the opportunity for individual/group feedback on draft scripts before the submission of the podcast.

All are available in the Campus Bookshop from September

COMPULSORY COURSE BOOK
Mittelpunkt Neu B1+: Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Fortgeschrittene: Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch + Audio-CD zum Arbeitsbuch (Klett). ISBN: 978-3-12-676645-6

RECOMMENDED GRAMMAR
Essential German Grammar. 2nd ed. (Milton Park: Routledge, 2015) (available in the UCD Campus Bookshop). ISBN: 978-1-138-78581

RECOMMENDED DICTIONARIES (online ones are not enough!)
Collins English/German-German/English Complete and Unabridged Dictionary (Collins)

In later years you will be using German-German dictionaries more and more, e.g.
Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Langenscheidt)

Name Role
Dr Siobhan Donovan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sherry Ishak Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joseph Twist Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Heidi Zojer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
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