German Beginners - LFA00042C

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Module summary

This 20-credit module runs over two semesters (Semester 1 and Semester 2) for a total of 22 teaching weeks. The module is aimed to take students who have no or very little previous knowledge of German to about A1-level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken German. Students will develop language-learning skills, an understanding of relevant cultural, social and historical topics in the German-speaking world and will learn to recognise and apply cultural conventions associated with everyday social exchanges. When students enrol on the elective it will be assumed that they are willing to undertake an uneven workload.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2026-27 to Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

This module will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to communicate and interact in German over the course of two semesters and to develop an awareness of key cultural aspects in the German-speaking world. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at beginner level, to about A1-level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities and tasks emphasising three modes of communication:

• reception activities (oral, audio-video, and reading comprehension),

• production activities (oral and written production),

• interaction activities (oral, written, and online interaction).

The mediums of instruction are English and German.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Understand everyday expressions and short, simple informational material and texts (e.g., lifestyle, hobbies, sports, travel).

• Produce short simple phrases about people and places and about themselves (e.g., name, address, family, nationality), and describe themselves as well as basic aspects of their everyday life in a series of simple sentences prepared in advance.

• Interact in a simple way and ask and answer simple questions about themselves and their daily routines.

• Recognise basic cultural differences (e.g., differing ways of numbering, measuring distance, telling the time, etc.) and establish basic social contact by using the simplest everyday polite forms of greetings, farewells, and introductions.

• Recognise and reflect upon key cultural, social and historical themes in the German-speaking world.

Module content

Topics may include:

• Introducing oneself (family, friends, study, or work) in simple terms and understanding when others tell you about themselves.

• Describing people, places, objects, and situations.

• Telling the time and date.

• Ordering food and drinks, booking a table, and understanding menus.

• Asking the way and understanding directions.

• Making travel arrangements, buying tickets, and checking travel options.

• Talking about past events.

• Finding out social etiquette in various situations that might differ from other countries.

• Feeling confident about pronouncing German correctly.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	60.0
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	40.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Continuous Assessment 60%

• S1, Week 11 (30%): submission including reading and linguistic competence tasks. “Linguistic competence” tasks can include grammar, vocabulary and use of language.

• S2, Week 10 (30%): 1-hour in-class closed written assignment including a writing section and linguistic competence tasks.

Oral Exam 40%

Individual oral exam focusing on speaking and interaction skills (6 min)

Reassessment

This module is reassessed at the component level. This means that if you are required to resit this module, you will have to re-take any of the original assessment components that you have failed (see summative assessments above for list of components).

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	60.0
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	40.0

Module feedback

Students’ performance will be monitored through formative work and in guided class practice throughout the year and assessed via continuous assessment submissions and an end-of-year oral exam. Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester. Students will be advised by the module convenor if a textbook is necessary.