This module offers German-speaking Erasmus students an opportunity to improve their command of English and deepen their understanding of British culture by working together in pairs or small groups with British second-year students. The module overlaps with one hour of the second-year language course for ex-advanced students of German ML7251 who are preparing for the compulsory period of study abroad in their third year.

Students will be enabled to develop the skills of manipulating information from spoken and written texts in the target language; summarising others’ points of view; assessing and evaluating evidence and reaching personal conclusions; presenting arguments effectively in the target language through the use of monologue, dialogue and group discussion; and presenting, in writing, an extended, logical argument.

While part of any class is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation. Students will be required to prepare materials in advance of classes and will be expected to actively take part in discussions (in person and/or online), and in-class tasks.

This course corresponds to a B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

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1. Read, understand and speak English to a level comparable with B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). (LO1)
2. Engage confidently and with appropriate grammatical correctness and spontaneity in everyday conversation in English. This includes explaining a viewpoint and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of topical issues relating to target language culture and society. (LO2)
3.  Extract and synthesise data and ideas from a range of authentic written and/or audio/audio-visual texts. (LO3)
4. Write coherent target-language text in an academic register on a topic relating to target-language culture and society with appropriate grammatical and lexical accuracy. (LO4)

The module will be delivered through 1 weekly seminar taught on campus, supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials. This session is taught concurrently with ML7251/ML7051 Ex-Advanced German Language.

Independent Learning: You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying and participating in individual and collaborative activities outside the live sessions. Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You will be asked to consolidate your language learning by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the English language. You will also be expected to prepare and complete exercises and activities online, to complete written, listening and oral tasks and, where appropriate, to engage with tutors and peers through discussion boards and forums. Over the course of the semester, you will begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.

1. An understanding of the principles of collaborative language learning and the skills to organise their learning with guidance from the tutor
2. A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function
3. The skills to be effective, independent and self-aware Iearners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression
4. The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
5. Cultural and linguistic awareness in relation to the year abroad
6. Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practices other than one’s own
7. Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation and interaction
8. An awareness of registers (both written and conversational), accents and pronunciation
9. Enhanced analytical skills
10. Enhanced digital literacy skills including the ability to engage with appropriate language learning technologies
11. The ability to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

During the course, students develop their receptive, productive and intercultural skills. These are assessed by a single summative written assignment.

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

Mapping of Assessments to Intended Learning Outcomes

Coursework: assesses LOs 1 - 4

Reassessment

If no overall pass is attained, students will be allowed to resit by submitting a piece of coursework which will count for 100%. Marks obtained will be capped at 40%.

The course will focus on understanding and reporting (in writing and orally, in English and German) written and aural material relevant to British and German student life, society and culture, both in class and during independent learning

Topics contrast German and British culture and range from the practicalities and experience of living and studying abroad to youth cultures, idioms and proverbs, humour, national and regional identities, political cultures, recent cult books or films, holidays and festivals, school and university education, cities and regions, childhood and family, to manners and taboos. In the first part of the semester, topics are set, in the second part students choose the topics they wish to work on. An exact list of topics will be established during the first sessions.