On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• process and engage with native speech with relative ease identifying key details of complex arguments in a variety of contexts;
• interact with a high degree of fluency, spontaneity, and accuracy in a variety of contexts including academic and scientific environments;
• extract almost all main ideas and most details of complex texts from a variety of genres and topics including science and literature as well as write detailed, well-structured texts and explain viewpoints on a wide range of subjects;
• apply your knowledge and skills of complex structures and vocabulary at B2/C1-level (in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• demonstrate an understanding of the target cultures by examining / comparing a range of socio-political practices and perspectives relating them to your own backgrounds and contexts of practice;
• demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of digital language learning tools to develop your research and presentation skills in the target language to support independent learning.

In this module, the following linguistic structures will be revised and practised:

• passive, tenses, subordinate (relative) clauses;
• complex sentence constructions;
• participles;
• prepositional phrases;
• verb-noun phrases;
• metaphorical expressions;
• set phrases and stylistic variations;
• broadening of vocabulary and register and consolidation of syntax.

These linguistic structures will be applied to various technical and scientific topics related to your specialist discipline alongside the literary text studied (Das Leben des Galilei by B. Brecht).

Topics cover:

• the discussion of the role of scientists in society;
• current challenges in science and technology;
• ethical questions concerning scientific/technical development and research;
• discussion of current issues based on articles in German language publications.

In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodologies, the in-class activities you will complete will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair work and groupwork (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion), individual tasks, discovery and formulation of grammatical rules, work with texts, etc. Homework and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills and to develop your awareness of how to use language learning tools independently. Our approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities, but also seeks to support different learning styles.

Your coursework will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed with each coursework. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.

• Coursework (15%): Set mid-term on the virtual learning environment consisting of an 8-10 minute video with personal and guided subject-specific information. (1 week +1 day to complete)
• Examination (10%): In-class test on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This one-hour test will take place at the end of term 1. It will consist of a short essay on the literary text of around 300-320 words).
• Coursework (20%): Set mid-term on the virtual learning environment and consists of a group poster (350-400 words) and a brief group presentation (around 15 mins). (1 week +1 day to complete)
• Examination (20%): In-class test on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This one-hour test will take place at the end of term 2. It will include listening (audio of approx. 6-8 mins) as well as reading comprehension (approx. 200 words) plus questions.
• Practical (35%): 20-25 minute oral exam in term 3 consisting of a short discussion of one topic covered in module plus questions, discussion of literary text and general conversation.

Assessment information for students on a course with a year abroad

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Module materials

Audio material relating to scientific issues; articles from contemporary German language press and scientific journals (e.g. Der Spiegel, FAZ, Bild der Wissenschaft) and one German literary text (see below) supplemented by video material where possible.

Core text: Bertolt Brecht Leben des Galilei (edition suhrkamp, 1991) ASIN: B00E322SMY

Further information for Year Abroad/Year in Europe Students
Further information for BSc Hons and MSc Language for Science Degrees