Module Details

Module Code: LANG7006
Title: Working with German
Long Title: Working with German
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2220 - Languages
Module Delivered in: 7 programme(s)
Module Description: This module focuses on living and working in the German-speaking regions. It prepares students for situations such as first contact in a German-speaking business environment, as well as business negotiation and phone etiquette. The Cultural Studies component focuses on changes in German society and the German economy after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This module is delivered at CEFR level A2.2 (also commonly referred to as upper A2 or A2+).
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 compare and contrast features of German, Austrian and Swiss cultures, including business culture;
LO2 react appropriately to spoken German in everyday business and social situations at CEFR level A2.2;
LO3 speak in the present tense and the past (Present Perfect) tense, in everyday and business situations at CEFR level A2.2;
LO4 write short paragraphs in German at CEFR level A2.2;
LO5 analyse and discuss reasonably complex authentic texts in German at CEFR level A2.2.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
Minimum level CEFR level A2.1 in German.
 
Indicative Content
Landeskunde
Film Studies: Goodbye Lenin. The Berlin Wall and its influence on German society; the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall. First contact in a German-speaking business environment; getting to know colleagues; office etiquette and layout.
Listening Skills
Group and paired dramatic role-playing; audio materials; film materials.
Speaking Skills
Group and paired dramatic role-playing, including role plays based on working in a German environment; CALL programmes; use of main clauses and relative clauses in the Present and the Present Perfect (Spoken Past) tense.
Writing Skills
Writing longer paragraphs and letters (or emails) in the present and past tenses. Inclusion in a project of some fairly basic German text composition. Translation / text comprehension exercises using reasonably complex English-German and German-English texts. Basic Curriculum Vitae production; filling out basic forms.
Reading Skills
Reading moderately complex authentic texts (such as short newspaper, internet or magazine articles and operating instructions for computers) in German.
Grammar
Revision areas of grammar : word order, present and present perfect tenses, cases and declensions.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Participation
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1
Assessment Description
Project: Film Studies
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 2
Assessment Description
Listening test.
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,4,5
Assessment Description
Written exam
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,3
Assessment Description
Group role-play
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Speaking, listening, reading, writing, and Cultural Studies Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Language lab Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent revision of language structures and vocabulary; independent project research and writing Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Speaking, listening, reading, writing, and Cultural Studies Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Language lab Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent revision of language structures and vocabulary; independent project research and writing Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Norbert Becker. (2017), Alltag, Beruf & Co 4 Niveau A2/2, Chapters 1.5, Max Hueber Verlag, [ISBN: 9783194015].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Oxford University press. (2006), Oxford-Duden Dictionary, [ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0-19-861435-7].
  • Becker, N., J. Braunert & W. Schlenker. (2008), Unternehmen Deutsch. Grundkurs Lehrbuch., (Chapters 7-10), Klett International, [ISBN: 9783126757409].
  • Pond, Elizabeth. (1993), Business Culture: Beyond the Wall. Germany’s Road to Unification., The Brookings Institution, Washington, [ISBN: 0-8157-7155-X].
  • Roraff, Susan & Julie Krejci. (2001), Culture Shock! Austria: a guide to customs and etiquette, Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon, [ISBN: 1-55868-591-X].
  • Hampshire, David. (2005), Living and Working in Switzerland: A Survival Handbook, Survival Books Ltd., London, [ISBN: 1-901130-24X].
  • Boniface, Brian and Chris Cooper. (2004), Worldwide Destinations, Chapter 13: The Tourism Geography of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, Butterworth Heinemann, [ISBN: 978-0-7506-5997-0].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BBUSS_7 Bachelor of Business 5 Elective
CR_BIBLA_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business with Language 1 Elective
CR_BMRKT_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Marketing 5 Elective
CR_FTRSM_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Tourism Management 5 Elective
CR_BMKTG_7 Bachelor of Business in Marketing 5 Elective
CR_FTOUR_7 Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management 5 Elective
CR_BGBPS_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Global Business and Pilot Studies 1 Elective