Studying at York
German Language and Cultures: Intermediate - LFA00253L
- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: F
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
Module summary
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 2023-24 |
| B | Semester 2 2023-24 |
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:
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reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);
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production activities (oral and written production);
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interaction activities (oral, written, and online interaction).
The mediums of instruction are English and German.
Module learning outcomes
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Ability to understand straightforward factual, authentic texts with a satisfactory level of comprehension.
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Ability to produce short, complex texts on topics of interest and express and justify their opinion.
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Ability to summarise, report and give their opinion about accumulated factual information and to produce very brief reports in a standard conventionalised format.
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Ability to 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).
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Ability to generally respond appropriately to the most commonly used cultural cues to discuss in appropriate terms different perceptions of culturally determined actions.
Module content
Topics may include:
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Talking about plans, ideas, and expressing opinions & wishes
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Understanding statistics & comparing items, communication & preferences
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Understanding & expressing personal events as messages on answerphones, making phone calls
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Giving clear instructions & directions
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Expressing reasons & understanding traffic news
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Understanding more complex texts on travel & making suggestions
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Booking holidays & talking about preferences
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Asking for & giving banking information
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Understanding various ways to pay & learning about financial services
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Comprehension of personal texts & following arguments
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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
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
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Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module
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Feedback will include written comments for written formative work
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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.