German Higher Intermediate - Stage D

This course will enable you to use a broad range of oral, aural and written language skills, sufficient to speak freely in German about selected topics.

You will also practise listening skills which will enable you to understand German at news-reading speed. You will learn to understand most articles from the German press and comment upon their content in spoken and written form. You will also further develop your understanding of the culture of German speaking countries.

The emphasis of the course is on speaking and in class you will get ample opportunity to practice your conversational skills through pair-work and group exercises. You will also listen to authentic audio/video tapes, read newspaper texts and complete exercises, which will enhance your vocabulary and your knowledge of grammar.

The following topics will be covered:

• time and activities
• the world of work
• books and the media
• advertising
• language learning
• traffic and mobility
• eating and drinking.

The course will also cover the main grammatical points you need at this level which include:

• subordinate clauses/conjunctions
• subjunctive
• revision of adjective endings (Nom, Dativ, Acc., Gen)
• n declination
• passive
• nouns and verbs
• prepositions.

This course is for you if you have had a good command of German some time ago (three years part time study or ''rusty' 'A' Levels) and want to re-activate and build upon your comprehension and expression.

Not sure which level is right for you?  Find your level.

Learning and teaching

The emphasis of the course is on participation and students are encouraged to actively participate in class through various non-threatening forms of activities designed to stimulate communication.

Coursework and assessment

For us, the most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning.

Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved.

Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

The assessment of this course is divided into four parts to assess each of the following skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

It is designed to enhance what you have learnt during the course.

In addition to the weekly sessions, we recommend that you spend time between the lessons, revising and practising what has been done in class and reading the press, listening to radio in order to polish your near-native German skills.

Reading suggestions

Spektrum B1, Chapters 1-6

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.