Learning of languages of the region: German - level B1

elective courses
foreign languages

German at A2 level.

Classroom

The course objective is to gain language proficiency of a selected Central or Eastern European country and to gain familiarity with the regional culture at the B1 (intermediate) language learning level as defined by (The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid/pl.

Language learning takes place in a systemic way. Mastering a language as a set of grammatical, syntactic, lexical rules, etc. is accompanied by a linguistic analysis of the very nature of language as a socio-cultural phenomenon. The development of (inter) cultural competences (in line with CEFR and FREPA) plays an important role. Knowledge about the culture of the selected country is also systematically transferred. Therefore, language education takes place in two directions: within general and specialist topics in the field of cultural studies (cultural and cognitive component) and language studies (linguistic component), both of which are complementary and may overlap in some areas.

Upon completion a student can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure etc; s/he can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken; s/h can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest; s/he can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

The course content (general language): Home, family, interpersonal relations; Job. Studies. Academy; Free time. Hobby. Entertainment; Art., theater, Cinema, literature; Sport, tourism, travel; Weather, phenomena connected with weather and climate; Environment, natural phenomena; City, village; Events, public and political news; Media – press, radio, TV; Learning languages: reasons, expectations, methods, experiences.

The course content related to culture (optional, can be extended to topics of interest to the group): Small talk, Language (dialectal differences), Customs, Real-world information, Social and cultural events, Holidays, Multiculturalism, Cultural differences, Cultural preferences Linear, Leisure and entertainment, Apartment. Literature, Art etc.

Student workload includes:

Classroom participation – 90 hours (3 ECTS)

Preparing for classes – 90 hours (3 ECTS)

The coursebook: Momente B1, dictionaries, additional materials provided by the lecturer, recordings etc.

A student is practicing without having to fear his/her speech communication on the elementary level.

On completing the course, the student:

KNOWLEDGE:

1. makes use of knowledge of culture of a given linguistic region; acquired during the course;

2. a graduate knows and understands at an intermediate level the sophisticated nature of a language;

3. one has sufficient vocabulary at an intermediate level (with particular focus on the vocabulary included in Full description);

4. one has knowledge at intermediate level about the description of a language system;

5. one knows selected issues (See: Full description).

SKILLS:

1. one can communicate in simple and routine tacks within the topics listed in Full description;

2. one can recognise familiar words and messages in selected, simple materials of different types as well as in verbal communication;

3. one understands and paraphrases information contained in selected, simple materials of every life (See: Full description), sums up and draws conclusions;

4. writes conventional personal and formal letters, such as emails, invitations, CV, application letters;

5. narrates past, present and planned events relating to his/her own life (with particular focus on the vocabulary and topics included in Full description), both orally and in writing, using basic vocabulary;

6. one presents information in oral and written form using certain language constructions.

COMPETENCES:

1. one is able to collaborate in pair as well as in a group of people;

2. one knows learning strategies and understands the need for lifelong learning;

3. one knows basic social norms and their relevant verbal and nonverbal reactions which are obligatory in the definite cultural and linguistic area;

4. one detects cultural differences and demonstrates the tolerance for users of other languages.

In keeping with the course goals, the student will acquire skills:

1) knows and understands in an intermediate way the comprehensive nature of the language, with particular emphasis on the cultural context of Germany and Austria (K1_W09, K2_W09);

2) can search, select, analyze and use the information he needs from various sources (K1_U01, K2_U01);

3) able to use the German language at level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (K1_U09, K2_U09);

4) can use modern communication and information technologies in his work (K1_U11, K2_U11);

5) is ready to critically evaluate his knowledge, constantly learn and supplement the acquired knowledge (K1_K01, K2_K01);

6) is ready to communicate effectively and live in society, including a society that is culturally different from his own, to work in a group, to cope with typical professional situations, to verify his views through substantive (K1_K02, K2_K02).

Eclectic method with focus on communication. Task-based approach with an emphasis on oral communication. Tasks that develop the ability to conduct discourse in an intercultural setting. Individual, team and group work, dialogue, language games, role playing games, presentations, multimedia exercises.

I. The organization of classes:

According to The detailed rules of studies at the Faculty of Applied Linguistics (The Resolution No. 114 by the Faculty of Applied Linguistics Board of 19 December, 2017):

1) Attendance at all classes, covered by the plan, shall be compulsory (§ 9 (2)).

2) It is not possible to have a resit if the reason of failing the credit was noncompliance with the requirement to participate in them. In such a case a student can be conditionally registered in an successive stage of study and can repeat the failed course.

According to the University Foreign Language Teaching System (the Resolution No. 119 from 17 June, 2009).

II. Assessment criteria:

The final mark comprises the following elements:

- prepared oral statements, spontaneous statements in classes, or other forms of speech in accordance with the teacher's decision depending on the goals set in a given semester (e.g. presentation, role-by-play scenario) - 25% of the grade,

- results of homeworks, short tests - 25% of the grade,

- final test results - 50% of the grade.

The condition for admission to pass the subject is compulsory attendance according to the Study Regulations of the Faculty of Applied Linguistics.

It must be taken into account that in order to complete the course successfully a student needs to demonstrate achievements in every the above mentioned categories (a student who receives the 0% in one of the categories, won't complete the course, which means that he/she did not demonstrate any activity in none of them).

Grading system:

99 – 100% - 5 (excellent)

93 - 98% - 5 (very good)

87 - 92% - 4,5 (fairly good)

77 - 86% - 4 (good)

71 - 76% - 3,5 (satisfactory plus)

60 - 70% - 3 (satisfactory)