Beginners German Language 1

Course Description: This intensive course is specifically aimed at students with little or no previous knowledge of German. Students will acquire basic language skills and a broad insight in cultural aspects of the German speaking countries. At the end of semester one, students can introduce themselves in German, understand, ask and answer simple questions, understand and talk about familiar topics such as their hobbies and interests, their living situation and their family and friends in German, write short postcards and e-mails and fill in basic forms in German.

Prerequisites: none

Approach to learning and teaching: The course follows an action-oriented, communicative approach in language learning and teaching. Students are encouraged to actively participate and interact in order to develop the full range of language skills - speaking, writing, reading and listening - based on elementary grammatical structures. A weekly lesson in the multi-media lab and regular e-learning activities are essential parts of the course. All content and grammatical progression complies with the requirements of level A1 of the Common European Framework of References for Languages.

Languages of instruction: German and English

Assessment and examination: End-of-term exams: 50% (written exam: 40%, aural exam: 10%)
Continuous assessment: 50% (Weekly assignments in writing, listening and reading comprehension and grammar, on paper as well as on Blackboard)

Note: It is obligatory to attend all written, aural and oral examinations. Attendance in all classes throughout the term is compulsory. A language cannot be learned by proxy ? so your personal attendance in class is of utmost importance. The Continuous Assessment Mark of 50% reflects this.

Core texts: Studio D A1; Heiner Schenke and Karen Seago, Basic German Grammar and Workbook (Routledge).