GER20250 German for Ex-Beginners B

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module is aimed at students who have successfully completed the German Beginners modules GER10100, GER10110 and GER20240 and have reached, or are nearing B1 standard of the CEFR. It offers an intensive and accelerated programme that integrates spoken and written production with the understanding of aural and written communication. The 3 weekly contact hours are split into a single hour with a focus on oral production and interaction and a double hour with a focus on reading and aural comprehension, mediation and written production. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to work independently to expand their vocabulary, solidify grammatical structures appropriate to their level and source material relevant to topics covered in the module.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- confidently use grammatical structures appropriate to their level, displaying reasonable syntactical variety, in written and spoken German discourse.
- independently research and source online print and audio-visual materials from target-language sources.
- independently build and develop vocabulary in the topic areas covered.
- produce coherent, grammatically correct written texts on familiar topics showing an ability to express opinions and summarise the content of source materials.
- summarize the content of independently researched online print and audiovisual materials and expressing opinions on it.
- give a clear, well-structured presentation on a chosen theme

Students who successfully complete this module with a grade of B and above are deemed to have consolidated B1 and are working towards B2 level of the CEFR.

Indicative Module Content:

Students will develop their competence in reading and listening to authentic source materials drawn from the contemporary media. Themes for study may include aspects of digital and print media, diversity and multiculturalism in German-speaking countries and issues in work and education.
The module will focus on supporting the development of communicative skills such as summarising content, expressing opinions and formulating basic arguments.
Students will be supported in consolidating the grammar covered to date, with a focus on practising complex structures, guided self-correction and independent grammar practice.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

36
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

38
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is taught in two weekly live session in the virtual classroom. Should the general health guidelines and room restrictions allow, some learning acitivites might be moved onto the campus later in the trimester, but all students will be supported in following the module remotely if they wish.To successfully complete the module, full attendance and active participation in all online classes is required. Classwork activities include written exercises, grammar practice, oral presentations, discussions, as well as partner and small group activities.
The module also requires active regular engagement with the course material outside of the live classes and completion of all formative assessments. Weekly homework will include writing short texts, researching and reading media sources, continuing to practice grammatical structures in focused exercises and preparing short presentations.
Students are encouraged to avail of individual 1:1 consultation hours with the lecturer offered throughout the trimester to discuss their individual progress and gain further practice in conversing in the target language. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
GER10100 - German Beginners A, GER10110 - German Beginners B

Co-requisite:
GER20240 - German for Ex-Beginners A

Incompatibles:
GER10010 - German Language I a, GER10020 - German Language I b, GER20060 - German Language II a, GER20070 - German Language II b


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Regular homework exercises Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Examination: 2-hour written exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50
Class Test: 2 class tests Unspecified n/a Graded No

20
Oral Examination: Recorded presentation on a self-selected topic Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

20

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, 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Regular feedback throughout the module supports students in becoming independent and reflective users of the language: - Students receive personal feedback on regular written homework exercises and issues arising from homework also feed into class activities. This helps students to strengthen their skills in advance of formal assessments. - In-class peer feedback on written work supports students in developing effective self-correction strategies and promotes peer learning. Independent practice with online self-correcting grammar resources helps students to work on areas identified via homework/classwork as requiring improvement. Class tests require students to consolidate key vocabulary, grammar and communicative strategies and personal and class feedback on each test guides students in identifying gaps in their knowledge and skill set. Detailed feedback is provided on draft written work submitted over the course of the module. Students then correct and resubmit this work at the end of the module as part of a continuous assessment portfolio.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye Lecturer / Co-Lecturer