Overview

This module runs during the first semester and is aimed at absolute beginners. The course is based on a communicative approach and helps students to develop all the key language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. After each of the contact hours, students are expected to spend at least 30 minutes of self-study to revise and consolidate what they have learned in class.

The textbook for this course is Menschen. Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Kursbuch A1, by Sandra Evans, Angela Pude and Franz Specht (Hueber, 2012). By the end of this course students will reach level A1 Breakthrough as defined by the Common European Framework, Language Assessment Scales.(1)

(1) Level One: Competent in a limited range of predictable and simple language tasks, using mainly set expressions and simple combinations of these. Capable of some rehearsed grammatical manipulations. This applies to all the 4 language skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40-49%: For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them in specific situations at a basic level.

-good -50-69%: For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them in specific situations.

-excellent -70+%: For the award of the highest grade, students should demonstrate a detailed comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them confidently in specific situations.

Learning Outcomes

• An understanding of the following grammar - Pronouns - Gender - Present tense of weak verbs and sein - Forming questions - Possessives - Indefinite and definite articles - Modal verbs - Strong verbs (lesen; fahren) - Adjectival endings

• An understanding of the following topics and functions - Talking about oneself and others: family; daily routine; preferences; likes/dislikes; hobbies and free time - Asking and answering questions about jobs - Ordering food and drinks - Rooms/furniture/equipment - Counting up to 100 - Telling the time - Days of the week/ parts of the day

• Communicate orally on basic topics

• Understand and respond orally to basic questions