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Full Year

German 1A (ELCG08001)

Subject

European Languages and Cultures - German

College

CAHSS

Credits

40

Normal Year Taken

1

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

An intensive course in spoken and written German, with a main focus on grammatical structures, for those with little or no previous knowledge of the language. This is a course for highly motivated students willing to put in a year of sustained hard work to acquire degree-entry level competence in German language. The course is open to students of any year, but not to those with Advanced Higher / A-level or equivalent knowledge in German; those should be registered for German 1B instead (please also see below 'other requirements'). A great deal of private study and high motivation are necessary to meet the requirements of the course. Sustained commitment is required throughout, the pace being such that any lost ground can prove extremely difficult to recover. We strongly recommend that students have a pass in at least one modern or classical language at Higher Grade (SCE) or a Grade B in National 5 or GCSE or evidence of linguistic proficiency.

Course Description

German 1A is a year-long course that aims to take students to approximately CEFR Level B1, so that they can progress to, and survive in, German 2. There are five contact hours per week, four of which focus mainly on the acquisition of knowledge of grammatical structures and their correct application in the production of both written and spoken language. Students must attend all 4 Language Seminars and an Oral Tutorial. The fifth contact hour each week is dedicated to spoken practice and listening comprehension, including the practice of a number of common situations (providing personal details, talking about friends, family, hobbies and work, asking for and giving directions, ordering in a restaurant etc.). In order to take this course, students will need to have a good grasp of grammatical terminology, or at least be prepared to acquire this terminology very quickly. Students are expected to prepare for each class by working through the autonomous study guides, the recorded grammar slides and completing the matching tasks and exercises in the Course- and Workbook; this preparation is basis for the discussion of questions and further practice in class. Regular attendance at all classes and the completion of all set work, including formative homework exercises, is vital for the successful completion of the course. Overall, students should expect to spend at least 8-10 hours per week in self-study, in addition to the five contact hours.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

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