Overview

This module runs during the first semester and is aimed at students with prior knowledge of German. The course is based on a communicative approach and helps students to enhance 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.

Foundation Year students will be registered in the Face to face groups, and they will be asked to complete two assessments.

By the end of this course students will reach level B1 Breakthrough as defined by the Common European Framework, Language Assessment Scales.*

Textbook: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/arts-culture-language/languages-for-all/text-books

*Level B1-2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Assessment Strategy

Only Foundation Year students will be submitting two tasks in order to be assessed.

-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: - Present and past tenses (including pluperfect) - The subjunctive - The conditional - Conjunctions - Reflexive verbs - Prepositional verbs - Reported speech - The imperative - Conditional clauses

• An understanding of the following topics and functions: - Talking about oneself and others: family; daily routine; preferences; likes/dislikes; hobbies and free time both in the present and in the past - Expressing emotions - reacting to events - Applying for jobs - Giving and understanding instructions - Talking about hypotheses - expressing opinions and describing consequences