Course Title: German 2
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: German 2
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Dr Glenda Mejia
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 (3) 99253732
Course Coordinator Email: glenda.mejia@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 5. Room 15
Course Coordinator Availability: By email appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Required Prior Study
LANG1425 German 2 is open to students who have successfully completed LANG1423/LANG1170 German 1 as well as those with a very limited experience of the language (up to Year 9-10 or A1/A2 on the CEFR*).
Students who studied German to Year 10 or 11 must contact the course coordinator to sit a placement test.
This course is not available to students who have completed standard Year 12 German (i.e. 4 or 5 years at high school). If you have completed Year 12 German, please contact your course coordinator for advice on cross-institutional enrolment.
Please note that enrolments may be refused on the basis of previous German study or abilities, and students may be instructed to vary their enrolment in accordance with RMIT’s Enrolment Processes.
Course Description
This course is the second of four consecutive courses in German offered at RMIT University. In this course you will expand your knowledge of German, which is a significant world and European language. The main focus is on the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Each class includes a teacher-guided introduction of vocabulary and grammar, and a range of activities designed to enhance your learning.
The course will equip you with some basic knowledge for cross-cultural situations with German speakers, and include discussions of cultural, societal and political aspects of life in German-speaking countries. This course will also provide you with some tools for independent learning.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
N/A
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Communicate in oral and written German in a range of familiar social contexts, including participating in formal and informal conversations, describe past and future events, experiences and people, and write short passages accurately in basic German applying appropriate grammatical structures
- Read, interpret and comprehend familiar authentic spoken, written and multimedia German materials
- Evaluate and apply language learning strategies and techniques to develop your language skills, and demonstrate independent learning
- Research and critically discuss areas of cultural values and norms in German speaking countries
- Critically reflect on your own cultural values and norms, extending your knowledge of cross-cultural communication issues and challenges
Overview of Learning Activities
Diverse methods are applied to teaching-learning in classes. Language learning is, by necessity, done through communications. Learning in classes are often in forms of pair and small group practice. Repeated exercises provide students with opportunities to conduct in a fairly structured format, but emphasis is placed on communicative skill building, guided and natural conversations and hypothetical situations. Multi-media teaching and learning resources are used in teaching.
Cultural understanding is used to further enhance the ideas of language and behavior and their interrelationship as expressed in the aims of the course. It is not introduced in isolation, but linked with language and language behavior, which are demonstrated and/or discussed by students in context. Various role-plays, exercises and games are employed to expose students to potential difficulties, which will arise in cross-cultural communication.
Class exercises, assignments are applied in process of teaching and learning, and readings relating to sociolinguistics and cross-cultural communication issues will be introduced. Your regular participation in class learning and commitment to completion of assignments are essential to successful completion of the course.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
You may need to purchase a prescribed text and a recommended Language dictionary.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Tasks
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
1. Grammar and vocabulary test 15% CLO1, CLO2.
2. Speaking 15% and listening task 10%, CLO1, CLO2
3. Short essay 15% CLO1, CLO2, CLO4
4. Final Exam: 45%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5
The final exam consists of four components:
Listening comprehension 5%; speaking 15%; reading and writing (including cultural component of 500 words in English) 25%
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.