ULGE51040 - LEAP German 4 (B1/B2)
- Credits: 20
- Pre-requisite: ULGE51030 - LEAP German 3 (B1) or equivalent e.g. A-level German grade C/B taken in the last three years.
- Co-requisite: If you are studying a Modern Languages Degree, either single or joint honours, please refer to relevant guidance about eligibility for LEAP units on your programme structure.
- Taught during: Both semesters (September to May).
- Level of attainment: (B1/B2) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level B1/B2 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: Click here
Description
This course is for students who have successfully completed ULGE51030 - LEAP German 3 (B1) or equivalent and wish to take their German to the next level.
The course offers the solid foundation required for achieving language competency with the use of complex grammatical structures of the German language and sophisticated written and aural texts on a variety of subjects covering contemporary issues.
The course provides an extensive range of vocabulary which will enable students to communicate fluently and effectively, both orally and in writing, and use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes.
It will help students produce clear, well-structured written texts on complex subjects, expressing points of view at some length.
Communication skills will be developed including discussion, presentation, and reporting skills.
More aspects of the culture and current issues of the countries where the language is spoken will also be covered.
The course may serve as preparation for the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 exam should students wish to sit this internationally recognized qualification. The Goethe Exam Centre at The University of Manchester will offer this exam in May/June 2024 (subject to confirmation before the start of the course). The student will pay the full external exam fee. (Fees are confirmed by the Goethe-Institut).
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate competency in understanding and knowledge of language structure grammatical rules;
- understand a wide variety of demanding longer texts and conversations, and recognize implicit meaning;
- speak with reasonable fluency and spontaneity and take an active part in discussions;
- give a presentation on a specialist subject, outlining advantages and disadvantages of particular cases;
- independently write short essays, reports, and letters putting forward personal points of view by using a variety of vocabulary and formulaic expressions and using the target language in a wide range of contexts.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level B1/B2 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
Pair and team work, focussed listening, informal presentations, language awareness, and cultural appreciation.
Teaching and learning methods
One three-hours or two 90 minutes seminars per week, delivered through blended learning which integrates on campus and on-line instruction as necessary.
This will also include online digital learning available via Blackboard and will be supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.
Teaching hours
72 hours (3 hours per week) including assessment time.
Independent study hours
140 hours (not including assessment time).
Assessment
All assessments are summative.
Non-credit students and members of the public need to be aware that written exams will not take place during lesson time.
Semester 1
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's semester 1 exam period in January
Semester 2
- Listening exam; 10% weighting; held in week 11
- Speaking exam; 30% weighting; held in week 12
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's semester 2 exam period in May/June
Dates to be confirmed.
The course may serve as preparation for the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 exam should students wish to sit this internationally recognized qualification. The Goethe Exam Centre at The University of Manchester will offer this exam in May/June 2024 (subject to confirmation before the start of the course). The student will pay the full external exam fee. (Fees are confirmed by the Goethe-Institut).
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Convenor
Dorit Fellner-Whitgreave
Taught by
TBC
Maximum entry
23 per group
Set text
Sicher! AKTUELL B2.1 by HUEBER Kursbuch und Arbeitsbuch ISBN 978-3-19-601207-1
Sicher! AKTUELL B2.2 by HUEBER Kursbuch und Arbeitsbuch ISBN 978-3-19-621207-5
Recommended texts
The German Handbook - Your guide to speaking and writing German, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 0521648602.
Upgrade your German, by Annemarie Künzl-Snodgrass and Silke Mentchen. (2003), ISBN 978-0340-80662-1 Publisher Hodder Arnold.
Übungsgrammatik für die Mittelstufe (B1-C1) Hueber(2009), ISBN 978-3-19-011657-7.
Großes Übungsbuch Wortschatz A2-C1, by Lilli Marlen Brill + Marion Techmer. (Hueber 2011) , ISBN 978-3-19-201721-6.