Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme.
Description
In this course you learn how to handle successfully a variety of basic social situations you may encounter in daily life in Germany. You learn to maintain non-complicated face-to-face conversations, and to perform such tasks as introducing yourself, asking directions, understanding a TV program or writing an e-mail. These basics are acquired by using the textbook and through a wide range of real-life situations, performed either individually or in groups. Grammar, cultural topics, current issues and pronunciation are main concerns, too.
Course objectives
This course enables the student to achieve a level A1/A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
This course is the first course in a series of three language acquisition courses within the International Studies program. The final objective of this course series is to obtain an intermediate level of proficiency in German, aimed at communication with people in the region in everyday social situations and enabling students to follow current affairs in the region via various media.
| Skill | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| Reading | A2 |
| Writing | A1 |
| Listening | A1+ |
| Speaking | A1 |
Timetable
Visit MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Tutorials
Three two-hour tutorials every week, with the exception of the midterm exam week. Attending all tutorial sessions is compulsory. For this reason, if you are unable to attend a session, it is required that you inform your tutor in advance. Please note that being absent at any tutorial session may have a negative impact on the grade of the assignment due for that particular tutorial session. This is at the discretion of the tutor.
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| In-class-participation and homework, tests | 20% |
| Midterm exam: reading, listening and writing | 30% |
| Final exam I: reading, listening and writing | 30% |
| Oral presentation in class (Midterm) | 5% |
| Oral presentation in class (Final) | 15% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of the in-class oral and listening performance, and written exams.
The End Grade needs to be a 6.0 or higher to pass the course.
Resit
If the End Grade is insufficient (lower than a 6.0), there is a possibility of retaking the full 80% of the exam material (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). No resit for the tutorial (participation) is possible.
Exam review and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Spektrum Deutsch A1+, Integriertes Kurs- und Arbeitsbuch, von Anne Buscha und Szilvia Szita, Schubert- Verlag, Leipzig, 2017. ISBN 978-3-941323-29-2
The book is also available as an e-book: ISBN 978-3-941323-46-9
Registration
Enrolment through uSis for Tutorials is mandatory.
Students will be enrolled for Exams by the Administration Office, as long as they have a valid Tutorial enrolment.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
Passing this course is an additional requirement for a positive Study Recommendation at the end of the year.
This course uses an integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.