GER30090 German Language III b

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module is aimed at completing the transition from independent language use to autonomous language ability (geared at CEFR level C1). The module builds on the skills developed in the module GER30080 (German Language IIIa). Students work with a range of source materials, both audio-visual and written. The focus of the module is on the analysis and production of oral and written texts that express opinions on current affairs and general cultural, social and political issues. Students are expected to research German material independently, analyse and report on different positions, while recognising different styles, and expressing their own opinions using more complex and sophisticated grammatical structures and appropriate rhetorical devices. Students who have achieved at least a B grade in this module are deemed to have achieved level C1 of the CEFR.

In-module repeats of select component elements will be made available during this module for students.
Any in-module repeat is only available to students who have already sat and failed an in-term component; it carries a one-grade penalty; and it does not extend to orals or RDS exams.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- demonstrate comprehension of podcasts and video commentaries on current affairs;
- research independently from German-language material taken from newspapers and online sources;
- identify, summarize and express different positions on a current issue in written and oral German using a variety of grammatical structures and appropriate vocabulary and idiom;
- demonstrate an ability to distinguish between and make use of factual, analytical and polemical styles when creating a convincing argument;
- keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency and coping with abstract expressions;
- give a well-structured broadcast-type presentation on a current issue with a good degree of fluency using a wide range of vocabulary and appropriate rhetorical devices.

Indicative Module Content:

This module explores the discussion of current affairs in the German-speaking media by means of audio-visual and written source material drawn from online audio-visual and press sources, all relating to social, cultural and political issues. It focuses on the analysis, summary and discussion of different positions on these social, political and cultural issues, thus advancing written and oral comprehension and production in German, recognising and using a wide range of grammatical and rhetorical devices.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

22
Specified Learning Activities

44
Autonomous Student Learning

44
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In order to benefit from the learning experience, students need to participate actively in this module and attend the two in-person classes delivered each week. Students are also expected to work consistently and independently outside of class time, prepare for all classes, and attend the extra small-group informal discussions (Gesprächstermine, which will also help prepare for the oral exam in early May).

In-class work will include:
• small group and partner work
• task-based activities
• class discussion and debate
• writing and grammar exercises.

Independent work outside of class will include:
• selecting, reviewing and researching opinion pieces in the German media
• drafting texts and correcting written work
• preparing and practising oral presentations
• practising spoken skills (conversation and phonetic practice)
• reading/viewing/listening to source materials and taking notes or answering comprehension questions
• recording and learning vocabulary
• grammar exercises
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Programme students of German must have successfully completed GER 20060 (German Language 2a) and GER 20070 (German Language 2b) OR GER 20180 (Intensive German Ex-Beginners) OR GER 20240 (German Ex-Beginners A) and GER 20250 (German Ex-Beginners B) prior to taking GER 30080.

Learning Recommendations:

Programme students of German should have successfully completed GER30080 (German language IIIa) prior to attempting GER30090.
An extended period spent abroad in a German-speaking country or frequent exposure to a German-speaking environment is also highly recommended before embarking on this module.


Non-programme students of German or students taking this module as an elective, but who have not completed or passed GER 30080, must contact the module coordinator.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
GER20060 - German Language II a, GER20070 - German Language II b, GER20180 - Intensive German Ex-Beginners, GER20240 - German for Ex-Beginners A, GER20250 - German for Ex-Beginners B

Co-requisite:
GER30080 - German Language III a

Incompatibles:
LANG10110 - German Gen Purp 4, LANG10130 - German Gen Purp 2, LANG20070 - German Gen Purp 5, LANG20250 - German Gen Purp 3, LANG20450 - German for General Purposes 4

Additional Information:
Prerequisites:EITHER GER 20060 and GER 20070 OR GER 20240 and GER 20250 OR GER 20180


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Oral Examination: Live 15-minute conversation with two examiners, comprising a short 2 minute presentation (in the style of Tagesschau "Meinung") on a chosen topic, questions on this, and general discussion. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

30
Examination: Written "Kommentar" exam - short summary of main points in an opinion piece, followed by critical discussion and own opinion on the topic. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

47
Class Test: Short "Leserbrief" on a given topic (choice of 2), on Wed. 21 Feb. Week 5 n/a Graded No

23

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Regular written or oral feedback will be provided on written homework. Students are urged to submit homework regularly and to act on the corrections, producing a revised piece of work. Individual feedback and group/class feedback will also be provided after the first summative assessment.

Name Role
Ms Zeineb Bahri Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Siobhan Donovan 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.
 
Spring
      
Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring