UCL CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES
& INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Course Units 2015-2016
German for Academic Purposes - Introduction
Prerequisite for entry
Successful completion of German Syllabus B at the UCL CLIE or a similar course and have experience of dealing with
relevant authentic material.
Course duration
20 x 2-hour classes.
Self-Study
80 hours in total.
Course codes
LCGE6803, LCGEG803, LCGEM803.
Aims and Objectives
The course is designed for intermediate level students requiring the language for studying abroad for a short period (e.g.
2-3 months).
The course comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the German language and its use in
academic environments, such as participating in seminars and note-taking in lectures. The course covers academic
development, academic culture and conventions to prepare students for a short study period in the target language
countries. Students will develop critical thinking and read academic texts. This will be related back to the student’s
degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistic structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of
appropriate authentic academic material).
Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
Functions
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talking about university life;
evaluating/presenting practical information and basic statistics;
giving accounts and detailed descriptions;
giving one’s impression and opinions;
evaluating different opinions;
arguing a case;
making appointments and discussing schedules;
offering and giving advice;
stating preferences and considering pros and cons;
making comparisons;
making simple hypothetical statements;
summarising texts;
identifying and evaluating cultural difference.
Course Content
Main topics/themes to be covered (selection)
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universities in Germany, student issues, academic conventions;
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learning and foreign languages;
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describing people: family, relatives and life styles;
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education and professional life;
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career paths and prospects;
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travelling for business and pleasure
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media, music and arts;
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spare time activities and going out;
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home and moving house;
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job applications and communication in the workplace;
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personal relationships, body language and emotions.
Linguistic Structures
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consolidating and improving reading and listening skills with increasingly complex materials;
improving oral communication skills with an increasing emphasis on fluency;
introduction of idiomatic expressions
communicating effectively in a variety of situations
Phonetics
Students are expected to pronounce German reasonably well when commencing the course. Where necessary,
attention will be paid to improve pronunciation through reading and oral practice. In addition, tapes specifically
targeted at pronunciation are available to students for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.
Grammar
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revision of main grammar points from Syllabus A and Syllabus B;
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noun phrases and demonstrative articles;
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possessive articles in all cases
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perfect and imperfect tense;
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adverbs of time and place;
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main clauses and subordinate clauses (word order and linking words);
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adjective declension;
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modal verbs in all tenses;
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comparative and superlative;
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prepositions, prepositional verbs, prepositions with case change;
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reflexive verbs;
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introduction to relative clauses;
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introduction to subjunctive II: expressing wishes and politeness;
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introduction to passive.
Learning Resources
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Studio D: Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit CD, Niveau A2, (Cornelsen) – ISBN: 9783464207123
Studio D: Vokabeltaschenbuch, Niveau A2, Deutsch-Englisch (Cornelsen) – ISBN: 9783464208328
Additional material
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A selection of authentic material will also be used to supplement the coursebooks (e.g. information from German
tourist offices, travel guides, press articles on current affairs, internet websites).
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Deutsch Plus (Video) (BBC)
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Bilingual dictionary (e.g. Collins)
In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials available for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.