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GER20060

Academic Year 2026/2027

German Language II a (GER20060)

Subject:
German
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye
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 2 module for programme students of German and other subjects. International and elective students are welcome to take this module and should contact the module coordinator if in doubt about their level. Building on the linguistic skills and language-learning strategies acquired during the non-beginners level 1 modules GER10010 and GER10020 (or equivalent), it consolidates level B1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and moves towards level B2.

The module aims to help you deepen all areas of your competence in German: grammar, vocabulary, oral, aural, and written skills, with the aim of moving towards a standard of competence adequate for studying and working in a German-language environment. It is taught in small groups in 3 separate weekly hours and attendance at all hours is mandatory.


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Study skills:
- use online and module resources to build vocabulary, with a particular focus on collocations;
- build in feedback from regularly submitted homework and acquire a heightened ability to self-correct;
Comprehension:
- understand and respond to audio and written material pitched at intermediate level;
Oral production:
- formulate orally, and in writing, opinions and ideas relating to module themes, using appropriate vocabulary;
- show increased sensitivity to pronunciation; identify areas of pronunciation where practice and further training are needed, but also recognise the progress being made
- take part in an oral interaction, outlining and justifying personal skills or qualities, describing professional and career plans, and responding to formal interview questions
Grammar:
- identify key grammatical structures and use appropriate terminology to describe them
Written production:
- independently produce short, cohesive written texts on module topics, demonstrating the ability to deploy appropriate vocabulary and a variety of correctly used sentence structures
- summarise the main ideas of a text on a module theme using one's own words;

Indicative Module Content:

A weekly grammar workshop helps build your understanding, and control of word order in more complex sentences you will encounter and construct at the B1+/B2 level, as well as developing your understanding of other key structures such as pronouns and determiners.

In two weekly seminar hours we will use authentic written and audio visual materials drawn from contemporary media sources as a basis for spoken and written practice. Topics will include, living and working in German-speaking societies, technologies, social and cultural aspects of sustainability in the German-speaking world.

Seminar sessions taught in small groups are interactive and will support you in developing a range of communication skills in German. These include outlining problems and evaluating potential solutions, describing familiar processes and sequences of actions, communicating personal and professional skills and plans for the future, summarising key information, explaining advantages and disadvantages, expressing an opinion, describing key pieces of statistical information shown in a graph or chart.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 1

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

22
Tutorial

10
Specified Learning Activities

43
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

115

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is taught in small group classes in 3 separate weekly hours: 2 seminar hours and one practical grammar tutorial.
In order to benefit from the learning experience, students must attend and participate actively in all classes.

The classes are all workshop-based and rely on student interaction. They are constructed around task-based activities, buzz-groups, individual presentations, individual and group exercises, and include peer learning and language games. Strategies for vocabulary and grammar acquisition are offered and tested at regular intervals. Regular homework exercises are set and marked up by the tutor or corrected in class.

Students are expected to work consistently and independently outside of class time, engage with the tasks and material on Brightspace and submit regular homework. Please note that if you are unable to attend class for a valid reason, you must make contact with your tutor.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students who have not completed level 1 German-language modules must contact the module co-ordinator.

Standard of German equivalent to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
GER10020 - German Language I b

Incompatibles:
GER10120 - Spoken German for Beginners, GER20170 - Accelerated German Ex-Beginner, GER20180 - Intensive German Ex-Beginners, GER20240 - German for Ex-Beginners A, GER20250 - German for Ex-Beginners B, LANG10110 - German Gen Purp 4, LANG10130 - German Gen Purp 2, LANG20250 - German Gen Purp 3, LANG20450 - German Gen Purp 5


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Demonstration of sufficient participation in class homework activities. 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
10
 No
Exam (In-person): 2-hour end-of-trimester written exam paper - takes place during the Exam Period. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Grammar test in class Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Viva Voce: Oral Exam (generally held in Week 13) Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive immediate personal and/or group feedback on spoken and written work produced in class. Peer feedback will form part of some class activities. Homework submissions (via Brightspace) will be corrected and returned with comments, if they have been submitted by the deadlines set. Websites with self-correcting grammar exercises will be used to support the development of skills. Students may make appointments with the class tutor or module co-ordinator for personal feeback on their progress.




Name Role
Dr Siobhan Donovan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sherry Ishak Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Ruth Lockhart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
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