Practical German 4100-1SNJNO
The aim of the course is the gradual acquisition of the basics of the German language by students starting from zero level. Students learn to function in simple situations of everyday and academic life, while simultaneously developing listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
During the course, participants:
acquire communication skills necessary for introducing themselves and others, talking about daily routines, shopping, asking for directions, or expressing basic opinions,
develop the ability to use basic grammatical structures and vocabulary,
work on pronunciation and intonation,
become familiar with elements of the culture of German-speaking countries, essential for effective intercultural communication,
develop strategies for independent language learning and the foundations of learner autonomy
Type of course
obligatory courses
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
S2_U04 – the student is able to use German at level A1 (understands simple oral and written statements, knows basic grammatical structures and vocabulary, can write a short message, demonstrates readiness to communicate despite limited linguistic resources, recognizes cultural differences, and engages in simple language interactions in everyday situations).
Example:
EN: The student can ask for directions to the library.
DE: Entschuldigung, wo ist die Bibliothek?
K_U11 – the student can take part in basic interactions in German (short dialogues, responding to questions and opinions, asking simple questions to show interest in the interlocutor, maintaining basic communication in a conversation with a partner).
Example:
EN: The student responds to a question about their well-being.
DE: Wie geht es dir? – Mir geht es gut, danke.
K_U12 – the student can plan and organize individual and group work (participation in dialogues and role plays, preparing mini-presentations together, drafting simple notes, actively engaging in group interactions and teamwork tasks).
Example:
EN: The student cooperates in preparing a short dialogue with a partner.
DE: Wir spielen einen Dialog: Im Café – „Was möchten Sie trinken?” – „Einen Kaffee, bitte.”
K_K01 – the student is aware of their strengths and weaknesses in language learning, can assess their own proficiency and correct mistakes, is ready to reflect on the learning process, understands the role of interaction in developing language competence, and uses it for self-improvement.
Example:
EN: The student notices difficulties in using articles and asks to repeat the exercise in dialogue.
DE: Ich habe Probleme mit den Artikeln. Können wir das noch einmal üben?
Assessment criteria
Course completion requirements
A prerequisite for passing the course is active participation in classes, with a maximum of one absence allowed per 30 hours of classes in the semester. Timely completion of written assignments and partial tasks is also required.
Methods of assessment
active participation in classes and short oral contributions,
written homework (longer texts, exercises from the textbook),
shorter written tasks and preparation of texts,
longer oral tasks (presentation, report, dialogue – mündliche Überprüfung),
in-class tests,
systematic work (exercises from the textbook, tasks on the COME platform),
semester test (written during the penultimate class),
oral examination (after the summer semester).
Criteria for assessing written work
When evaluating written assignments, the following are taken into account:
linguistic accuracy (grammar, spelling),
appropriateness and range of vocabulary,
communicative effectiveness and relevance to the topic,
structure of the text (composition, coherence, logic).
Each of the above criteria is scored, and the total determines the grade.
Semester test and oral examination
The final test takes place at the end of the winter and summer semesters; it lasts a maximum of 90 minutes and includes:
Hörverstehen (HV) – listening comprehension,
Leseverstehen (LV) – reading comprehension,
Schreiben – written production,
lexico-grammatical test (material covered during the course).
The oral examination after the summer semester includes:
a short self-presentation,
a dialogue with a partner (e.g. arranging an appointment, everyday situations),
formulating and asking simple questions.
Rules for calculating the final grade
The student must obtain at least 60% of the points from each instructor as well as at least 60% in each component of the final test (HV, LV, vocabulary, written part).
The maximum number of points obtainable in a semester: 200 (150 points – continuous assessment during the semester, 50 points – final test).
Assessment criteria:
vocabulary,
content (relevance to the topic, logic, independence),
grammatical accuracy,
phonetic accuracy,
fluency of expression.
Grading scale
60%–68% – satisfactory
69%–76% – satisfactory plus
77%–84% – good
85%–92% – good plus
93%–100% – very good
Bibliography
Textbooks:
Kurs DaF A1, Kathrin Schweiger, Martina Nied Curcio, Simone Weidinger, Helga Würtz, Friederike Jin, Stuttgart, 2013, Klett Verlag.
Kurs DaF A2, Kathrin Schweiger, Martina Nied Curcio, Simone Weidinger, Helga Würtz, Friederike Jin, Stuttgart, 2013, Klett Verlag.
Supplementary materials:
Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita: Spektrum Deutsch A1+/A2+, Schubert Verlag.
Braun, B.: DaF Kompakt Neu A1: Intensivtrainer Wortschatz und Grammatik, Stuttgart, 2017 (2nd edition).
Braun, B.: DaF Kompakt Neu A2: Kurs- und Übungsbuch, Stuttgart, 2018 (4th edition).
Braun, B.: DaF Kompakt Neu A2: Intensivtrainer Wortschatz und Grammatik, Stuttgart, 2017 (2nd edition).
Buscha, A.: Spektrum Deutsch A1+: Integriertes Kurs- und Arbeitsbuch, Leipzig, 2017.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: