German II

Teacher(s)

Scheirs Veronique (compensates Suner Munoz Ferran); Suner Munoz Ferran;

Language

Deutsch

Prerequisites

Introductory or discovery level, at level A1 of the Common European Framework for Languages

Main themes

1. Using authentic texts, introduction to reading techniques (extensive and intensive reading, skimming, scanning etc.);

2. Using texts in writing : contraction, translation, commentary, analysis, etc.;

3. Basic vocabulary : using various methods, lexical fixation, with special emphasis on the processes of composition and derivation;

4. Grammatical application : fixation of grammatical knowledge (morphology, syntax and semantics);

5. Oral expression and listening comprehension : exercises designed to improve oral proficiency  (pronunciation, intonation, stress) as well as communicative fluency. Systematic exercises are organised in the language lab (30 hours in series).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	To reach upper basic level in the four skills: listening and reading comprehension and written and oral expression (both individual and interactive). By the end of this course, students will be able to: Understand the content of fairly complex recent authentic texts (on concrete or abstract subjects) chosen from a wide range of current events (politics, economics, sport, science, culture or literature); Decipher the lexical, grammatical, phraseological, stylistic and pragmatic information relating to these texts; Answer comprehension questions on these texts; Rework the information contained in the texts (summaries, reports etc.); Produce short written documents which are clear and structured, with particular emphasis on the style, the code and the content; Understand and take part in an impromptu conversation (e.g. with a native speaker) on either an everyday subject or something which is talked about in the media; Become involved in a discussion on a topic they are familiar with : understand the arguments used; Follow factual information presented, for example, on the radio or television and give an account of the broad lines.

Content

The course covers topics from domains such as social life, politics, sports, culture (in the broadest sense) and other every-day life events. Basic vocabulary and grammar will taught based on these topcis.

Teaching methods

Supervision: The course is coordinated by an academic member of the ELAL school, who is assisted for the exercises by an assistant.
30 hours of lecture during which the following topics will be covered: theoretical approaches to improve reading. The presentation of various reading strategies. The topics (see above) will be presented in the form of various types of texts and audio and video recordings, will be discussed and analyzed.
30 hours of exercises where the theoretical approaches presented will be put into practice. The student will give equal importance to reading comprehension and writing. In addition to conversations (in groups of no more than 20 students) on the topics covered in the lecture, authentic documents on the same topics may also be presented.
90 hours of individual study and work, in particular:

• Systematic, personal and independent study of the vocabulary contained in the documents seen in class;
• Grammar exercises on moodle.
• Preparation for listening comprehension.
• Preliminary work on the preparation of texts.
• Work on writing documents.
• Complementary self-study exercises.
• Updating of notes and revision, memorization.

Evaluation methods

In this course, students are evaluated in two ways:
- Continuous evaluation (30% of the final grade) including six tests spread over the year, exercices in class, and active participation (interaction in class, handing in group work, etc.).
- Final evaluation in the January session (35% of the final mark) and in the June session (35% of the final mark) including both a part A (oral skills) and a part B (written skills).
In the January and June sessions, the two parts A and B will be successive and separated in time. In Part A, which corresponds to a basic level, students will have to demonstrate their oral skills (comprehension and production). Part B, which corresponds to an advanced level, will assess written skills (comprehension and production). Only those who have successfully passed part A are invited to take part B. The final grade is the arithmetic average of the grades for parts A and B. In case of failure in January, the student represents this part during the June session. The pass mark is set at 10/20.
In the case of a second registration for the exam, only the part corresponding to the evaluation at the end of each term (70% of the final grade) may be taken.

Online resources

Course materials are available on moodle.

Bibliography

Fandrych, C. und Tallowitz, U.(2015). Sage und Schreibe. Übungswortschatz Grundstufe A1-B1 mit Lösungen. Neubearbeitung 2015. Stuttgart: Ernst Klett Sprachen.

Faculty or entity

ELAL