All year

Unit(s) of Assessment	Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
Two take-home assignments, one in each semester	40%
One hour in-class test, end of Semester 1	20%
Two hour unseen examination, end of Semester 2	40%

Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module.

This is a level 2 module for German. It is taught in the target language over Autumn and Spring semesters, two contact hours per teaching week (1 hour of lecture, 1 hour of tutorial). Attendance is compulsory.

Successful completion of HE1 or equivalent

This module builds on the knowledge acquired in “German Grammar and Functions I” and focuses on the more complex structures of advanced German as used in specialist language.The aim is to enable students to recognise and analyse these structures in German specialist language, and to employ them when producing their own texts. Students will be encouraged to self-assess their progress in understanding German grammar and its functions and to map their competence against the descriptors of the Common Framework for Languages.

On successful completion of this module, students will:

• have further improved grammatical accuracy in the target language and extended their knowledge of more advanced topics in German grammar;
• will be able to understand and reproduce complex grammatical/syntactical structures in written and spoken German;
• be able to analyse and discuss German grammar using the appropriate terminology;
• will have acquired a very high level of knowledge of the grammatical and pragmatic conventions of language use which are required for establishing, maintaining and perfecting communication and understanding in academic and professional contexts;
• will be able to use language reference materials such as grammars and specialised dictionaries very effectively;
• will have improved their self-correction rate in written and spoken German and will be able to recognise and avoid first language interference.
  

Grammatical forms and functions are introduced and consolidated in relevant contexts, taken from subject areas such as politics, social studies, law, business, and the media. The module will identify and discuss linguistic structures in the context of specific language use.
Topics covered will typically include:

• revision of grammar covered in German Grammar and Functions I;
• grammatical terminology for advanced learners of German;
• effective use and evaluation of different grammars and dictionaries:
• connecting complex ideas and sentences;
• analysing and manipulating complex syntactical structures;
• understanding the principles of German word formation;
• recognising and using appropriate styles and registers;
• using the forms and functions of specialist language. 
  

On successful completion of this module, students will:

• have further improved grammatical accuracy in the target language and extended their knowledge of more advanced topics in German grammar;
• will be able to understand and reproduce complex grammatical/syntactical structures in written and spoken German;
• be able to analyse and discuss German grammar using the appropriate terminology;
• will have acquired a very high level of knowledge of the grammatical and pragmatic conventions of language use which are required for establishing, maintaining and perfecting communication and understanding in academic and professional contexts;
• will be able to use language reference materials such as grammars and specialised dictionaries very effectively;
• will have improved their self-correction rate in written and spoken German and will be able to recognise and avoid first language interference.
  

Teaching will be in small groups. The module is taught entirely in the target language and the stimulus material used in class will be drawn from a variety of texts and contexts. Students will work in pairs and in groups to analyse linguistic structures and prepare short presentations of their findings. Students are encouraged to review their own target language use and to use reference materials to correct errors.
Structures and functions will also be consolidated through the use of IT resources. Self- and peer-assessment will be used to foster students’ analytical and critical skills and to develop language learning strategies.

There is no set text for this course. Materials will be drawn by the module tutor from a range of sources and handed out to students at the beginning of and throughout each semester.

Recommended Reading:
Dodd B et al: Modern German Grammar. A Practical Guide, London & New York 1996
Drosdowski G et al: DUDEN Grammatik der deutschen Gegenwartssprache, Mannheim/Leipzig/Wien/Zürich 1998
Durrell M: Hammer's German Grammar and Usage, London 1996
Durrell M et al: Essential German Grammar, London 2002
Hall K et al: Übungsgrammatik für Fortgeschrittene, Ismaning 1995
Helbig G/Buscha J: Deutsche Grammatik, Leipzig 1989
Helbig G/Buscha J: Übungsgrammatik Deutsch, Berlin/München/Leipzig 1991
Weinrich, Harald: Textgrammatik der deutschen Sprache, Mannheim 1993

JULY 2009