Students taking this module will have no previous knowledge of German, but will require to have achieved an H4 pass in Leaving Certificate in another Modern Language, or be able to demonstrate an equivalent knowledge of the language in all four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing at B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for language qualifications.
A communicative approach is adopted in the teaching, making maximum appropriate use of German throughout, to develop all four language skills in an integrated manner, whilst ensuring that students are supported in developing a declarative knowledge of German grammar appropriate to Year 1 of third level study, and are able to apply that knowledge systematically to all four language skills. An extensive range of additional materials, benchmarked at A1/A2 Level on the CEFR which are not used in class will be available online to support independent learning. This module is benchmarked at A2 on the CEFR.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to regularly perform a range of tasks at A2 Level in all four skills and may occasionally be able to perform at a higher level in Reading, in familiar contexts when they have access to appropriate sources of reference. The minimum exit level is A1 on the CEFR.
Indicative syllabus
Introduce themselves and othersMeet, greet, thank, apologise and take leave of others.Use key spoken/written polite conventions so that the register of their language is appropriate.Ask and answer simple questions.Express simple factual information.Make simple requests and invitations.Express simple wishes, opinions/feelings, needs and preferences.Indicate understanding, asking for repetition or explanation when necessary.Check that they have been understood.Pronounce/articulate clearly enough to be understood when using simple, familiar words and phrases.Speak/write with sufficient grammatical accuracy to be understood when using simple, familiar words and phrases.
By the end of the course students will be able to use a limited range of words and simple sentences in predictable and familiar situations, especially when they have sufficient time to prepare. Although they may be hesitant and make grammatical errors, particularly in less familiar situations, they should be able to get their messages across in spite of error. They will be able to perform effectively in simple transactional/information exchange contexts such as, for example, at a hotel reception desk or in a restaurant, and provide standard personal and study-related information, concerning home, family, college, daily routine and obtain goods and services, by making requests and/or placing orders.
Effective engagement with course materials will ensure that students are exposed to approximately 1,500 of the words most commonly in use in everyday French. With access to appropriate reference materials, they will generally be able to understand these in simple written texts in familiar contexts. The level of comprehension of these when spoken by native speakers and fluent learners of the language in such contexts will depend on clarity of pronunciation and speed of delivery.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |