UCL CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES
& INERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Course Units 2015-2016
German Syllabus D
Prerequisite for entry
Successful completion of German Syllabus C at the UCL CLIE or if you are reasonably fluent in the language and are able
to discuss a range of issues (low ‘A’ level grade).
Course duration
20 x 2-hour classes.
Self-Study
80 hours in total.
Course codes
LCGE6004, LCGEG004, LCGEM004, LCGE6034, LCGEG034, LCGEM034 (together with German syllabus C), LCGE6045,
LCGEG045 and LCGEM045 (together with Business and Current Affairs).
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the course is to enable students who already have a good knowledge of German to acquire an advanced
fluency in the language. Students should be able to communicate in everyday-life situations within German speaking
countries.
Students will be able to converse with native speakers, follow debates and give presentations relating to their degree as
well as discussing current issues (local and worldwide) using more complex and linguistically accurate structures.
Cultural awareness will be further developed and raised within a European/global context. Language learning skills,
including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be further enhanced to enable students to
study in a German speaking university. Various transferable skills will also be covered and the confidence in using these
skills in a variety of situations will be improved.
Functions
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describing maps and other features of German-speaking countries;
talking about working life, leisure time and habits;
giving and discussing one’s impressions and opinions;
making arrangements to meet;
offering and giving advice and recommendations;
talking about basic aspects of German politics history and culture;
considering pros and cons;
presenting and evaluating basic statistics;
talking about one’s past experience and about plans;
summarising texts;
writing and responding to formal and informal texts, e.g. emails, letters, reports, reviews, adverts.
Course Content
Main topics/themes to be covered (selection)
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Everyday living;
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Work, leisure, voluntary work;
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Family; interpersonal relationships; generations;
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Climate change and environment;
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Migration; travelling and working in Germany and abroad;
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German-speaking countries and regions;
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School and education;
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Memories and biographical information;
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German national and regional history;
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Cultural difference.
Skills
Reading
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reading for gist (skimming), scanning for specific information;
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comprehension and discussion of texts on current topics in a variety of authentic media
Writing
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short essays, summaries;
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brief review of and commentary on articles and other materials;
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note taking;
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letter and email writing
Listening
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targeted audio material (i.e. listening exercises in accordance with topics covered in class)
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TV and video recording and internet-based clips;
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presentations
Speaking
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formal and informal discussions and debates in class;
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individual and shared presentations;
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role-play
Linguistic Structures
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preparing oral contributions in different situations;
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consolidating and improving listening and reading skills by dealing with a variety of authentic materials;
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recognising different registers;
Grammar
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revision and consolidation of fundamental grammar (sentence structure, tenses, prepositions, declension of
nouns, adjectives and article words);
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separable and inseparable verbs;
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active and passive;
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use of modal and reflexive verbs;
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introduction to subjunctive II;
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adjectival nouns; n-declension;
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clause and sentence structure: valency of the verb; word order;
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subordinate clauses: relative clauses; conditional clauses; clauses of time, cause or reason, concession; purpose;
indirect questions; infinitives with ‘zu’;
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coordinating and subordinating connectors;
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prepositional adverbs.
Learning Resources
Syllabus D Course Books
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Studio D: Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit CD, Niveau B1, Chapters 1-10 (Cornelsen) – ISBN: 9783464207192
Studio D: Vokabeltaschenbuch, Niveau B1, (Cornelsen) – ISBN: 9783464207215
Syllabus C/D Course Books
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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
Syllabus D + Business and Current Affairs Course Books
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Studio D: Kurs- und Übungsbuch mit CD, Niveau B1, Chapters 1-10 (Cornelsen) – ISBN: 9783464207192
Studio D: Vokabeltaschenbuch, Niveau B1, (Cornelsen) - ISBN: 9783464207215
Wort für Wort: New Advanced German Vocabulary, Paul Stocker, 5th ed.; 2010 (Hodder Education) – ISBN:
9781444109993
Additional Material
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A selection of authentic material will also be used to supplement the course books (e.g. press articles on current
affairs, websites), especially for the D + Business and Current Affairs syllabus.
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Bilingual dictionary (e.g. Collins). Not pocket size.
In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials available for self-study in the Self-Access Centre. Also,
there will be regularly updated information on cultural events connected with Germany, German language and culture,
which can be accessed through the Language Centre website.