Practical language learning in the region/Word in culture - German A2 3224-SWKNA2
German language classes on the elementary level A2 are aimed at activating the skills of linguistic expression and communication in foreign language as well as to enrich German vocabulary. The course is proposed in the form of conversation/discussion on different topics offered for students, pertaining the everyday life (including colloquial speech and other styles not considered by textbooks), cultural events and communication in future jobs according to the profile of a graduate.
The thematic scope of the course comprises new lexis connected with elementary communicative situations as well as cultural events/selected cultural elements of the countries from the relevant language area (cultural events, peculiarities):
1. Let's get to know each other (welcome, farewell, question about
well-being)
2. Let's talk about yourself and others: family, friends (providing
information, formulating questions)
3. In a German restaurant: menu (typical German cuisine), how to
place an order and pay
4. Journey through German-speaking countries (based on video
materials, real-life information)
5. In Berlin: monuments, how to spend free time (based on video
materials, real-life information)
6. Cultural events (which to choose, expressing proposals, consents,
refusals)
7. How to write an email / post card (holiday, appointment,
cancellation of a meeting)
8. How to answer the phone and fill out a form: simple
communication situations
9. Going shopping (asking for advice, expressing preferences)
10. Should students work? (reading a job offer, job opportunities in
German-speaking countries, obtaining information via telephone)
11. Expressing opinions, argumentation (selected situations)
12. Is anything wrong with you? A visit to the doctor, travelling by
plane, at the airport in Berlin
13. On a business trip abroad: schedule of meetings and activities
14. Once upon a time. Working with a German fairy tale (cultural
studies component)
15. Forecasting and planning: Future time, expressing intentions
16. Celebrating, making wishes and giving presents (culturalist
component)
17. In my opinion: Discussing and arguing
18. Blog about travelling in German-speaking countries: Description
of experiences and events in the past tense
19. Week at work: Dates, hours (repeating numerals)
20. Working with a German song (cultural studies component)
21. Watching a German movie (optional)
22. Talking about the film watched, writing a short review
23. What have you recently read? - Meeting with German literature
24. Do they speak German in Austria?; Regional differences in
language use (cultural studies component)
25. Foreign languages: How to learn them effectively?
26. Studying in Germany: Is it worth it? How to cope with it?
27. At the bank, at the office: Formal conversations
28. Facebook and real life. Online connections
29. How to express positive and negative emotions
30. Solving problems, making compromises: Conversational exercises
There are also other topics related to students' interests/proposed by students.
Course is conducted through discussing different topics based on priorly given texts or handouts delivered by the lecturer, working in groups and pairs, individual work (substantially supported by the lecturer).
Training of different language skills will be conducted as follows:
- Speaking: individual monologic utterances related to the topics which were discussed during the semester, dialogs, role-playing-games.
- Listening: different types of texts (dialog, monologue in various communicational situations) and tasks adjusted to the level.
- The use of a language: vocabulary and grammar exercises indicating the degree of proficiency in the course content.
- Writing: an opinion in the written form related to the topics which were discussed during the semester.
Student workload includes:
Classroom participation – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparing for classes – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge (upon completing the course, the student will know and understand):
- the complex nature of the German language with particular emphasis on the cultural context of the countries in the region [K_W09].
Skills (upon completing the course, the student is able to):
- search for, select, analyse and use necessary information from various sources [K_U01].
- communicate through various channels and communication techniques on basic everyday topics and cultural aspects of the countries of the region [K_U07].
- independently prepare a written and oral statement in a foreign language on everyday topics and cultural aspects of the region’s and present the results of their work to the group [K_U08].
- use the German language at the A2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) [K_U09].
- plan and organize individual and team work, plan and implement the process of independent learning, including specialist knowledge, after graduation [K_U10].
Social Competences (upon completing the course, the student is prepared to):
- critical assessment of existing knowledge, continuous learning and supplementing acquired knowledge and skills [K_K01]
- effective communication and living in society, including in a culturally diverse society, working in a team, coping with typical professional situations, verifying one's views through factual discussion and evaluating one's knowledge [K_K02].
Assessment criteria
I. The organization of classes:
1) Attendance at all classes, covered by the plan, shall be compulsory.
2) It is not possible to have a resit if the reason of failing the credit was noncompliance with the requirement to participate in them. In such a case a student can be conditionally registered in an successive stage of study and can repeat the failed course.
3) In case of 30 hours in semester, 1 absence without justifying are acceptable. Missed classes must be made up in accordance with the requirements of the lecturer. The requirements are provided by the lecturer during the first class.
II. Assessment Criteria:
The following components contribute to the final grade for the language course:
Substantive participation in the class (40%)
Presentation of the topic fixed by the lecturer (60%)
To obtain a passing grade, the student must demonstrate achievements in each of the above categories (a student who receives 0% in any category—i.e., shows no activity in that area—will not pass the course).
Grading scale:
99–100% – 5.0 (excellent)
93–98% – 5.0 (very good)
87–92% – 4.5 (good plus)
77–86% – 4.0 (good)
71–76% – 3.5 (satisfactory plus)
60–70% – 3.0 (satisfactory)
Bibliography
1. Grammatik und Konversation.
Arbeitsblätter für den Deutschunterricht,
Klett, 2014
2. Grammatik aktiv, Cornelsen, 2018
3. Treffpunkt Berlin, Klett, 2003
4. Schritte International, Huber 2018
5. Wechselspiele, Langenscheidt, 2001
6. https://www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/s-
2055
and others.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: