Descriptive Grammar - German - level 2

obligatory courses

B2 level of language proficiency

Classroom

The course is meant as an introduction to the mainstream approaches in German descriptive grammar. A major part of the course is devoted to an overview of the basic features of German grammar, including:

1. the major word classes and the associated phrases,

2. the structure of basic clause patterns,

3. the discourse functions of main-clause types,

4. the grammatical, semantic and pragmatic aspects of clause linking.

The first part of the course covers some of the issues included under first topic (1).

The course in Descriptive Grammar of German as language B (parts 1 and 2) is meant as an introduction to the mainstream approaches in German descriptive grammar, in which structural criteria are combined with a strong functional focus.

A major part of the full course, which lasts two semesters, is devoted to an overview of the basic features of German grammar, such as:

1. the major word classes and the associated phrases (in particular the VP, NP, AdjP and German word formation too);

2. the structure of basic clause patterns (viewed against the background of the underlying semantic predicate-argument structure);

3. the discourse functions of main-clause types (with discussion focusing on the concept of illocutionary force and the major main-clause types: declarative, interrogative, imperative);

4. the grammatical, semantic and pragmatic aspects of clause linking (use of connectives, coordination, and subordination);

5. the grammatical means involved in information management in the clause and beyond (including the notions of topic and focus, ellipsis and word order).

Among the goals of the course, apart from acquainting students with German grammar terminology and providing them with knowledge on German grammar that they will need in other courses offered in the Applied Linguistics programme at the Faculty of Applied Linguistic, are those of enabling students to develop an awareness of grammatical corectness in actual discourse, and to give them a solid foundation for their own attempts at describing and/or explaining features of English grammar to others.

Part 1 of the course in Descriptive Grammar of German as language B (semester 1) covers some of the issues included under first topic (1).

1. Parts of speech

2. Noun

3. Word formation

4. Article

5. Verb variants

6. Times, modes, passive voice

7. Separately and inseparably compound verbs

8. Nominalization

9. Collocations

10. Adjective and its variation

11. Pronouns

12. Particles

Part 2 of the course in Descriptive Grammar of German as language B (semester 2) covers some of the issues included under first topic (2).

1. Basic concepts of syntax

2. Simple sentence

3. The verb as a structural center

4. Complex sentence

5. Nominal groups in a sentence

6. Relative sentences

7. Sentence equivalents

8. Parts of a sentence and their hierarchy in a sentence

9. Time forms

10. Modal forms

11. Active and passive voice

12. Types of activities

13. Negation

14. Repetition

15. Exam

Course Workload:

30 hrs - attending classes=1ECTS

20 hrs - reading of lectures

10 hrs - homework

30hrs - prepartion for tasks verifying the learning autcomes=1ECTS

Admoni W.(1982): Der deutsche Sprachbau. München.

Duden. Grammatik der deutschen Gegenwartssprache (1998). Mannheim/Wien/Zürich.

Eisenberg P. (2006): Das Wort. Grundriss der deutschen Grammatik. Bd. 1. Stuttgart.

Eisenberg P. (2006): Der Satz. Grundriss der deutschen Grammatik. Bd. 2. Stuttgart.

Engelen B. (1984): Einführung in die Syntax der deutschen Sprache. Vorfragen und Grundlagen. Bd. 1. Baltmannsweiler.

Engelen B. (1986): Einführung in die Syntax der deutschen Sprache. Satzglieder und Satzbaupläne. Bd. 2. Baltmannsweiler.

Engel U. (2004): Deutsche Grammatik – Neubearbeitung . München.

Engel U. u.a. (2000): Deutsch-polnische kontrastive Grammatik. Warszawa.

Erben J. (1972): Deutsche Grammtik. Ein Abriss. München.

Erben J. (1984): Deutsche Syntax. Eine Einführung. Bern/Frankfurt/New York.

Helbig G., Buscha J. (2001): Deutsche Grammatik. Ein Handbuch für den Ausländerunterricht. Leipzig.

After completing the whole of the course (parts 1 and 2):

KNOWLEDGE

-students should know basic German grammar terminology,

-students should have knowledge on the basic features of German grammar,

SKILLS

-students will be able to use the above-mentioned knowledge for identifying and explaining selected problematic areas of German grammar,

-students will be able to conduct a simple grammatical analysis of the German clause,

ATTITUDES

-students will be able to adopt a critical attitude towards German unsuccessful grammatical constructions.

In order to get credits students are requested to:

attend classes (two absences are allowed).

Assessment criteria:

-written test at the end of 1st semester, is the only method of assessment and the only basis for the final grade,

-the test covers the knowledge and skills connected with first topic (1).

If classroom learning is impossible, the workshop will be conducted with the help of distance communication tools, most probably Google Meet and others recommended by the University.

If remote lessons need to be taught, the mode of instruction, methods and criteria for assessment may change.