This is a module designed for students who completed German Advanced B2 Part 1 or who have achieved at least a high grade at an A Level or equivalent. This module aims to provide you with the necessary linguistic tools you need to be able, with some effort, to keep up with fast and colloquial discussions and understand detailed information reliably, and to identify unfamiliar words from the context on topics related to your field/interests. You will also further develop your understanding of the culture of German speaking countries.

This module is the second part of the preparation for CEFR B2.

• Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation.
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and Independent disadvantages of various options.

All courses on the Languages for All programme are delivered on a hybrid mode, mixing face-to-face and virtual teaching. You will be expected to actively participate in role-plays, interactive activities and group discussions. Course material is accessible on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, and should be cross-platform compatible.

18 contact hours – 2 hours per week of interactive language workshops.

Intellectual Skills:

• Enhanced cognitive skills leading to innovation, creativity and problem solving.
• Critical analysis applied to discourse, texts, images and events.
• Advanced listening and reading skills: the ability to scan complex texts (including audio) for gist, to synthesise information and focus on salient points.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

• Understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of arguments provided the topic is relatively familiar.
• Read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints.
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible.
• Present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects relating to my interests; explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
• Write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects relating to my interests; write an essay or report passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.

Transferable Skills:

• Ability to learn additional languages for personal/employment reasons.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to diversity based on culture.
• Ability to navigate and mediate between more than one culture to interpret meaning and intent beyond the purely linguistic.
• Heightened literacy, textual analysis and oracy in mother tongue.
• Presentation skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively, as a member of a team or with a partner.
• Problem solving and the ability to look at things from multiple perspectives.

Written class test (30%) and course work (30%).

Oral and aural continuous assessment (40%).

The following topics will be covered:

• Society
• Science and Health
• Communication strategies

Aspekte neu Mittelstufe Deutsch

Lehrbuch B2 ISBN:9783126050258

Chapters 4-6 are covered in the Part 2 course

International Qualification

This course is preparation for the Goethe Institut Zertifikat B2

Some Internet-based practice:

http://lehrerraum.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/hall-scheiner-uebungsgrammatik-fuer-fortgeschrittene.pdf

http://www.grammatiktraining.de/uebungen.html

http://www.schubert-verlag.de/aufgaben/uebungen_b2/b2_erkund_uebungen_index.htm