GER20070 German Language II b

Academic Year 2023/2024

This is a level 2 module for programme students of German and other subjects. Building on Autumn module German Language IIa (GER20060), it assumes that students have attained at least level B1+ of the CEFR and are working towards level B2. International students are welcome to take this module and should contact the module coordinator if in doubt about their level.
It will use one textbook, a corresponding workbook and an additional 'intensive trainer'- these are:
"Aspekte neu B2: Lehrbuch mit DVD; Aspekte neu B2: Mittelstufe. Arbeitsbuch mit Audio-CD; and Aspekte neu B2: Intensivtrainer". Supplementary print and online media will also be introduced periodically. This module is designed to further develop writing, reading, oral and aural skills during 3 weekly class hours, 1 of which focuses on spoken production and interaction. More nuanced grammatical structures are introduced and trained, the range of expression expanded, and further strategies developed for more complex text production and improved aural comprehension. Central to the module will also be the continued emphasis (also prioritised in GER 20060) on developing pronunciation. Not every language-learner will speak without an accent, but this is not what counts: The sensitivity towards pronunciation and effort made to work on this are key foundations in communicating with ease and confidence in the target language - and in being understood.
Overall in this module, the necessary skills will be fostered to prepare for study abroad at a German-speaking university. Students who achieve at least a B grade in this module will be deemed to have reached level B2 of the CEFR.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to
- using clear, coherent and controlled German assimilate the main ideas of relatively complex articles and reports concerned with current affairs, cultural, social and academic issues;
- translate from English into German employing newly-acquired grammatical structures and specific vocabulary;
- express different viewpoints on topics covered;
- write formal letters and emails;
- follow and partake in topical and cultural discussions in preparation for later study or work in a German-speaking environment;
- increase sensitivity to pronunciation; identify areas of pronunciation where practice and further training are needed, but also recognise the progress they are making;
- engage with audio and audio-visual programmes;
- make a recorded short presentation;
- discuss the benefits of and strategies for watching audio-visual material as an aid to language learning;
- build in the feedback from regularly submitted homework and acquire a heightened ability to self-correct.

Indicative Module Content:

The module is divided into 3 blocks, each block dealing with the topics and associated grammatical points in selected chapters of "Mittelpunkt neu B2.2", one of which will deal with "Im Ausland studieren".

Regular homework is set and corrected. Assessment involves a listening comprehension test, an oral/presentation assignment, and a 2-hour written exam.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

23
Conversation Class

12
Specified Learning Activities

35
Autonomous Student Learning

35
Total

105
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In order to benefit from the learning experience, students should attend and participate actively in all classes. Students are expected to work consistently and independently outside of class time, engage with the tasks and material on Brightspace and submit regular homework. Please note that if you are unable to attend class for a valid reason, you must make contact with your tutor. Homework will not be marked if there is poor attendance and no contact. The module is taught in small group classes. All the 3 weekly classes will be face-to-face classes.
The classes are all workshop-based and rely on student interaction. They are constructed around task-based activities, buzz-groups, individual presentations, individual and group exercises, and include peer learning and language games. Further self-assessment using the CEFR is conducted during the module, and strategies for vocabulary and grammar acquisition are offered and tested at regular intervals. Regular homework exercises are set and marked up by the tutor, and students are encouraged to correct them and resubmit in order to maximise the learning process. Some homework exercises may involve self-correction or peer-discussion instead.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students who have not completed the level 1 Spring German-language module must contact the module coordinator.

German of a standard equivalent to level B1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
GER10020 - German Language I b

Co-requisite:
GER20060 - German Language II a

Incompatibles:
GER10120 - Spoken German for Beginners, GER20180 - Intensive German Ex-Beginners, GER20240 - German for Ex-Beginners A, GER20250 - German for Ex-Beginners B, LANG10110 - German Gen Purp 4, LANG10130 - German Gen Purp 2, LANG20250 - German Gen Purp 3, LANG20450 - German for General Purposes 4


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Presentation on a defined task
Presentation will take place in Week 13 (unless otherwise indicated).		 Unspecified n/a Graded No

25
Examination: Written exam
(Free writing exercise according to guidelines & specified grammar / translation tasks)		 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

55
Class Test: Listening comprehension (MCQs richtig/falsch, filling in gaps etc.) Week 7 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% 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, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

You are encouraged to seek feedback by appointment with the module coordinator or with your tutor. Please note that feedback and being able to advise on your work are two of the main reasons for staff members' designated office hours. Therefore, feedback and queries on your learning cannot (unless a question is extremely straightforward) by answered by email. For some assessment components, written feedback will be provided in Brightspace.

The two textbooks below should be purchased from the Campus Bookshop prior to the first class and be brought to all subsequent classes:

Aspekte neu B2. Mittelstufe Deutsch. Lehrbuch mit DVD B2 (Stuttgart: Klett, 2018)
and:
Aspekte neu B2 Arbeitsbuch mit Audio-CD.
Aspekte neu. Mittelstufe Deutsch. Intensivtrainer B2 (Stuttgart: Klett, 2018)

In addition to these, an excellent Grammar book and a large dictionary are essential, and we strongly recommend the following:

Martin Durrell, Hammer's German Grammar and Usage,
ISBN 9780367150266
(London: Routledge, 2021 = 7th edition). A number of these have been ordered for the Campus Bookshop and all students intending to continue with German to degree level should invest in this book; it will be an invaluable resource not just for this module, but as you progress to advanced level in German during your year abroad and your final year in German.

Students should also be in possession of a LARGE hardback bilingual (e.g. Collins, Oxford or PONS) or monolingual (e.g. Duden, Langenscheidt) dictionary. Small dictionaries are not sufficient at this level.

* You are also encouraged to purchase an optional Grammar exercise book which corresponds to the previous edition of Hammer's Grammar, but will also be useful for the 2021 7th edition:
4th Edition:
Martin Durrell, Katrin Kohl, Claudia Kaiser. Practising German Grammar
(London: Routledge, 2017, 4th edition)

The following grammar book is less expensive alternative (It is less comprehensive than Hammer's German Grammar and Usage):
Martin Durrell, Katrin Kohl, Claudia Kaiser & Gudrun Loftus: Essential German Grammar (Oxford: Routledge, 2015)
- some copies have been ordered from the Campus Bookshop.


Even though online dictionaries are being used, they are not always reliable. Students should also be in possession of a LARGE hardback bilingual (e.g. Collins, Oxford or PONS) or monolingual (e.g. Duden, Langenscheidt) dictionary.
Name Role
Mr Leonard Lüer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Helga Muellneritsch Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Conversation Class Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Conversation Class Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring