German Level 4

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 degree of fluency, spontaneity, and accuracy in a variety of contexts including academic and scientific environments;
• extract the main ideas and essential detail of complex texts from a variety of genres and topics including scientific material and 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-level (in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• demonstrate an understanding of the target cultures by examining and comparing a range of socio-political practices and perspectives and 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 and support independent learning.

In this module, you will cover the following:

• revision of grammatical structures as appropriate;
• analysis of a range of linguistic registers in speech and writing;
• further aspects of word order, adjectives and verb forms, including use of the subjunctive;
• further work on prepositions and conjunctions;
• nouns;
• the subjunctive (including reported speech) and the passive voice;
• the language of science.

Topics include:

• immigration/emigration;
• the German language;
• poverty, community projects;
• the consumer society;
• the future;
• the world of work in the German speaking countries;
• art, history, communication;
• current topics (where applicable).

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. Integrated skills pack including reading comprehension, grammatical/lexical awareness tasks & writing (c.225-250 words). 
• Examination (15%): 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 include writing based on a choice of topics covered during the semester (c. 270-300 words). 
• Coursework (20%): Mid-spring term. Integrated skills pack including listening comprehension tasks & an essay (c.225-250 words)
• 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 spring term. It will include a reading comprehension and lexical/grammatical awareness tasks. 
• Practical (30%): Oral exam in term 3 including commentary on prepared topics and unprepared discussion (approx. 20 minutes in total). 

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.

Coursebook: Aspekte neu B2, Ute Koithan, Helen Schmitz et. al., Lehrbuch (2015) 978-3-12-605025-8

Additional materials: articles from contemporary German press and supplementary audio and video materials.

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