Module Details

Module Code: LANG6019
Title: German 2.1
Long Title: German: Business Language and Culture - An Introduction
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2013/14 ( September 2013 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2220 - Languages
Module Delivered in: 4 programme(s)
Module Description: This module looks at first contact in a German business environment (meeting new colleagues). It introduces the student to basic vocabulary used to describe departments and positions within a company. Students will also learn how to construct a basic CV in German.
This module also compares and contrasts multiculturalism in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Ireland. It also widens the student’s German vocabulary and knowledge of sentence structures for communicating in everyday situations.


Completion of this module results in attaining a level comparable to the threshold point between levels A1.2 and A2.1 as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for language proficiency.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 compare the multicultural aspects of life in the German-speaking regions to contemporary Irish society;
LO2 demonstrate through appropriate reactions a comprehension of spoken elementary statements and questions in German;
LO3 speak about him-/herself and others in German in the present tense and the past (Present Perfect) tense;
LO4 write short paragraphs in German in the present tense;
LO5 analyse and discuss short, authentic texts in German.
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.

No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Business and Culture in the German-speaking regions
Acceptable topics of conversation in a business environment. Meeting and greeting in a business context. Multiculturalism in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – a comparison with Ireland. Examples of project themes: ‘Austria OR Germany and Ireland: Multicultural Societies’; 'Multicultural Switzerland'; 'A profile of Germany's OR Austria's economy and industrial sectors'.
Listening skills
Group and paired dramatic role-playing; audio materials; film materials.
Speaking Skills
Group and paired dramatic role-playing, including basic business transactions such as meeting and greeting visitors, making appointments, ordering food in a restaurant; CALL programmes; basic sentences in the Spoken Past tense.
Writing Skills
Writing short paragraphs in the present tense about yourself, your home town, your family, and your hobbies. Filling out basic forms and basic CV production.
Reading Skills
Reading fairly basic authentic texts in German.
Grammar
Areas of grammar covered for listening, speaking, writing and reading skills include: present tense (regular and irregular forms for all persons); the Present Perfect (Spoken Past) Tense; verbs that take Accusative and Dative Cases; Accusative and Dative prespositions; relative clauses; the Imperative.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1
Assessment Description
Project: Cultural Studies
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 2
Assessment Description
Listening Comprehension
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,3
Assessment Description
group oral assessment
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 50
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,4,5
Assessment Description
ongoing in-class assessments
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

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 Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact language lab work and supervised project research 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
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Carty, Tom and Ilse Wührer. (2011), German 1, 2nd Edition. Chapter 9 & 10 only, Palgrave MacMillan, London, [ISBN: 978-0-230-28474-6].
  • Oxford University Press. (2006), Oxford Beginners German Dictionary, [ISBN: 0-19-929857-2].
  • Becker, N., Braunert, J. and Schlenker, W.. (2008), Unternehmen Deutsch, Grundkurs Lehrbuch und Arbeitsbuch. Chapters 1 - 2 only, Klett, Stuttgart, [ISBN: LEHRBUCH: 9783126757409; ARBEITSBUCH 9783126757416].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Aufderstraße, Hartmut, Jutta Müller and Thomas Storz,. (2007), Delfin, Lehrwerk für Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Hueber, Ismaning, [ISBN: 3-19-001601-1].
  • Oxford University Press. (2000), Oxford German Cartoon-Strip vocabulary builder, [ISBN: 13-978-0-19-860305-4].
  • Lane, Kathryn. (2001), Germany: The Culture, Crabtree, [ISBN: 0-7787-9740-6].
  • M.I. Campbell-Schotsaert. (1994), Übung macht den Meister, Folens, [ISBN: 0-86121-5958].
  • Flippo. Hyde. The German Way. Aspects of Behaviour, Attitudes, and Customs in the German-speaking world, Passport Books, Chicago, [ISBN: 0-8442-2513-4].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • various German-language magazines, for example:, Stern, Brigitte, Focus, der Spiegel.
  • computer software, CALL programmes.
  • website, www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/de/.
  • website, www.germany-tourism.de.
  • website, www.austria.info.
  • website, www.myswitzerland.com.
  • website, www.about.ch.
  • website, www.swissworld.org.
  • DVD (feature film), Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others).
  • Website, Deutsche Welle. Deutsch Interaktiv,
  • online dictionary, LEO,
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CCNMG_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Management 5 Elective
CR_CQTSU_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quantity Surveying 5 Elective
CR_CMNGT_7 Bachelor of Science in Construction Management 5 Elective
CR_CCECO_7 Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying 5 Elective