German grammar

Aims

Aims

After satisfactorily completing the module you should be able to show:

• Increased understanding of the structures of the German language
• The ability to analyse grammatical aspects and understand and produce them in context
• Grammar revision and intensive self-study of the grammatical aspects discussed should lead to an increased awareness of their use in spoken and written German

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

•  A-level German, grade A or B, or equivalent.

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

The module lasts the whole year, with teaching continuing until Week 5 of the summer term.  It is taught for 2 hours per week of which 1 is a grammar seminar and one hour is devoted to self-study either in the eLab or the library and at home.

Teaching programme

The grammar seminar will cover most grammatical aspects of the German language and you will see and use them in context. By revising grammatical structures you will become more aware of their meaning and use in oral and written communication. The self-study hour will be devoted to using and reviewing the grammatical structures discussed in the seminar. You will use interactive exercises or practice materials provided by the tutor and you will work through the grammar book and use online materials (see teaching materials). 

German is used as the medium of instruction and learning in all classes wherever possible.

Teaching materials

Essential:

• A good notebook to record vocabulary and idiomatic phrases
• A good bilingual dictionary
• Dreyer/Schmitt: A Practice Grammar of German.  Max Hueber Verlag 2005.  ISBN-10: 3190272557 ISBN-13: 978-3190272556

Recommended:

• Key to A Practice Grammar of German, ISBN: 388532718X
• English Grammar for Students of German.  ISBN-10: 0340815760 ISBN-13: 978-0340815762

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Formative assessment

You will be expected to complete and submit exercises and other written assignments regularly and to present some of this work in seminars. In addition, reading and other preparation for the seminars and lectures will be required.

Summative assessment

There are 2 components to the final assessment, all of which will count towards your final degree classification:

• A 1 hour grammar test (Paper 1)
  • Date: Term 2, Week 1
  • Weight: 30%
• A 2 hour closed written examination, consisting of grammar exercises (Paper 2)
  • Date: Term 3, Weeks 5-7
  • Weight: 70%
  • Feedback: Students will be allowed to see their exam papers with comments, under supervision, at an appointed date after the external examiner has reviewed the papers.