Accessibility statement

German Language and Cultures: Intermediate - LAN00118H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Learning a language can be a transformative and enriching experience. Both the process and the outcomes are beneficial at various levels, from increased neuroplasticity to improving your overall academic performance, fostering empathy and intercultural awareness, and enhancing your career opportunities. This course is aimed at students who already have a good level of competence in German, i.e. students who have completed the LFA Lower Intermediate course or their AS in German (or equivalent). The module will take students to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken German.

Related modules

AS in German or successful completion of the module German Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25
B Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to communicate and interact in German over the course of a semester. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at intermediate level, to about B1 level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities and tasks emphasising three modes of communication:

  1. reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);

  2. production activities (oral and written production);

  3. interaction activities (oral, written, and online interaction).

The mediums of instruction are English and German.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Understand straightforward factual, authentic texts with a satisfactory level of comprehension.

  • Produce short, complex texts on topics of interest and express and justify their opinion.

  • Summarise, report and give their opinion about accumulated factual information and to produce very brief reports in a standard conventionalised format.

  • Express personal opinions and exchange information on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g., family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events).

  • Generally respond appropriately to the most commonly used cultural cues to discuss in appropriate terms different perceptions of culturally determined actions.

  • Reflect upon language use and justify linguistic choices.

  • Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and resources.

  • Identify and apply adequate strategies to prevent or overcome breakdowns in interaction and production activities.

Module content

Topics may include:

  • Talking about plans, ideas, and expressing opinions & wishes

  • Understanding statistics & comparing items, communication & preferences

  • Understanding & expressing personal events as messages on answerphones, making phone calls

  • Giving clear instructions & directions

  • Expressing reasons & understanding traffic news

  • Understanding more complex texts on travel & making suggestions

  • Booking holidays & talking about preferences

  • Asking for & giving banking information

  • Understanding various ways to pay & learning about financial services

  • Comprehension of personal texts & following arguments

  • Discussion of personal travel, making suggestions & react to suggestions

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Written exam will include one or two questions aimed at assessing students’ ability to reflect on language use and justify their responses and choices when using the language (in English) and a task related to students’ ability to monitor their own learning.

Oral exam will include strategic competence in the target language among the assessment criteria in production and interaction activities.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Module feedback

Students’ performance will be monitored through formative work throughout the semester and assessed via end of semester exams.

Formative assessment and feedback

  • Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module

  • Feedback will include written comments for written formative work

  • Oral feedback during class discussions.

Summative assessment and feedback

Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

Further course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.