German 4 (Level 7)

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Peter Damrau
• Prerequisites: language skills equivalent to A-level plus one year, or CEFR B2*
• Assessment: two pieces of coursework (0%), an in-class listening assessment (15%), written assessment (25%) and presentation (15%), a 3500-word independent literature review (40%) and class participation (5%)

This module will develop your language learning, including advanced academic writing skills which will allow you to produce an extended piece of writing in German.

Leading to CEFR C1 (Advanced)/post-A-level*, and beyond, this module consolidates the development of oral and written skills, with an emphasis on appropriateness and accuracy. You will analyse a variety of authentic texts, documents and audiovisual materials, as well as producing original work in German and an extended piece of academic writing at an advanced level. You will also make use of off-air TV recordings and the internet.

* Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Please note: this is only an approximate equivalence.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly
• understand television programmes and films without too much effort
• understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style
• understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to your field of study
• express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions
• use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes
• formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate your contribution skilfully to those of other speakers
• present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion
• express yourself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length
• write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what you consider to be the salient issues
• select a writing style appropriate to the reader in mind.