Overview

The module is devised to suit 'ab initio' and post-GCSE students of German and focuses on the development of basic oral, aural and written communicative skills. The module involves an introduction to and [in the case of those with GCSE knowledge of the language] a revision of key areas of grammar (present and past tenses, the future and conditional tenses, nouns, adjectives, prepositions). Students will acquire general vocabulary and key expressions relating to self, family, daily routine, hobbies, likes and dislikes, in part through role-play situations. Using appropriate audio/visual aids, students will also be introduced to modern and contemporary German culture and society

Key Text:
Birgit Braun, Margit Doubek et. al. "DaF Kompakt Neu" (Ernst Klett Verlag, 2016-2020) ISBN 978-3-12-676310-3

Students are encouraged to consult: English-German Context Dictionary: http://www.linguee.com/

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40-49%: Basic grasp of key grammatical structures such as gender, inflection and word order; basic understanding of short written texts and aural material in German. Limited ability to write short passages in German and respond to simple spoken material; limited grasp of German pronunciation.

-good -50-69%: Good grasp of key grammatical structures such as gender, inflection and word order; good understanding of short written texts and aural material in German. Some ability to write short passages in German and respond to simple spoken material; good grasp of German pronunciation.

-excellent -70+%: Excellent grasp of key grammatical structures such as gender, inflection and word order; excellent understanding of short written texts and aural material in German. Clear ability to write short passages in German and respond to simple spoken material; excellent grasp of German pronunciation.

Learning Outcomes

• Acquire a basic familiarity with the German tense system and be able to create and manipulate basic sentences.

• Demonstrate familiarity with the general structure of the German language, and in particular appreciate the role of gender, inflection and word order in German in contrast to English.

• Display a grounding in German oral skills, including an appreciation of German phonology.

• Display an understanding of basic information and instructions in the target language in both formal and informal registers.

• Read and pronounce a given German text with confidence.