Module Details

Module Code: LANG8019
Title: Experiencing Germany
Long Title: Working and Living in Germany
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 10
Field of Study: 2220 - Languages
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module prepares students for work or study placement in a German-speaking environment. Cultural and Business aspects of living and working in the German-speaking regions are examined. Subject areas include: Culture Studies (societal norms, laws, customs, belief systems, historical
backgrounds; literature and the arts); successful negotiation in a German-speaking business environment; company structures; job market and salary trends in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. This module is delivered at CEFR level B1.2 (also commonly referred to as upper B1 level, or B1+).
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Utilise acquired cultural awareness to negotiate successfully in German-speaking everyday and business contexts
LO2 Comprehend spoken German in the media, as well as in everyday and business situations, at independent user (CEFR B1.2) level.
LO3 Speak German at independent user (CEFR B1.2) level in everyday and business situations.
LO4 Write extended essays, reports and projects on a broad range of topics at independent user (CEFR B1.2) level.
LO5 Analyse and discuss CEFR B1.2 level authentic texts in German.
LO6 Present acquired knowledge of an aspect or aspects of German culture such as a work (or works) of literature, art or film.
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).
14356 LANG7015 Applied German Studies
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.
CEFR level B1.1 in spoken and written German
 
Indicative Content
Business German
Creating and dealing with business documentation; oral and written communication in areas such as customer service; negotiation with management; invoicing and form-filling. The purpose and economic importance of trade fairs in Germany.
German Business Culture
Overcoming barriers to successful communication and negotiation in a German-speaking business environment. Company structures; job markets and salary trends, basic income tax systems in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Materials include current affairs articles, podcasts, documentaries and radio broadcasts.
Daily Life and Culture in Germany/Switzerland/Austria
Shopping; transport and transport routes; university life; leisure activities; cultural norms and behavioural expectations in German-speaking society. The arts and their importance in modern German culture; literature studies (short stories, novels, novellas, poetry).
Grammar
Aspects of advanced grammar appropriate to CEFR B1.2 level such as: The Subjunctive; The Passive; Prepositional phrases; Adjectival phrases; Subordinate clauses.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 2,3,6
Assessment Description
Culture Studies Essay or Video submission
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Portfolio.
Theme: Living and Working in Germany.

Inclusion of materials such as: research and analysis of cultural aspects of living and working in a German-speaking environment; form completion; analysis of information gained from interviews conducted with business people with German or Austrian connections, as well as with students who have returned from work and/or study placement in a German-speaking environment; analysis of media content such as current affairs items;
short videos of peer-to-peer teaching of e.g. an aspect of grammar
or a current affairs topic.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,4,5
Assessment Description
In-class test
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5
Assessment Description
The oral exam will assess a student's ability to negotiate successfully in everyday and business situations in German at CEFR level B1.2.
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
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Listening, speaking, reading, writing, culture studies Every Week 4.00 4
Lab Contact Language lab Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Learning Non Contact Independent revision of language structures and vocabulary; independent project and essay research and writing Every Week 8.00 8
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact listening, speaking, reading, writing, culture studies Every Week 4.00 4
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 and essay research and writing Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 9.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Hering, Axel & Magdalena Matussek. (2014), Berufspraxis Deutsch B1, Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart, [ISBN: 978312675722].
  • Buscha, Anna & Szilvia Szita. (2012), B-Grammatik, Schubert Verlag, [ISBN: 9783941323100].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Guenat, Graziella & Peter Hartmann. (2010), Deutsch für das Berufsleben B1, Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart, [ISBN: 9783126757256].
  • Schlenker, Jörg & Wolfram Braunert. (2010), Unternehmen Deutsch Aufbaukurs - Lehrbuch, Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart, [ISBN: 9783126757454].
  • Braunert, Jörg. (2010), Unternehmen Deutsch Aufbaukurs - Arbeitsbuch, Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart, [ISBN: 9788374290340].
  • Kaminer, Wladimir. (2000), Russendisko, Manhatten München, Munich, [ISBN: 3442545196].
  • edited and translated by Stanley Appelbaum. (1993), Five great German short stories, Dover Publications, New York, [ISBN: 0486276198].
  • David Hampshire. (2015), Living and Working in Switzerland, Survival Books, [ISBN: 9781909282599].
  • Hampshire, David. (2017), Living & Working in Germany, Survival Books, [ISBN: 9781909282902].
  • Sylvia Schroll-Machl. (2010), Die Deutschen - Wir Deutsche. Fremdwahrnehmung und Selbstsicht im Berufsleben, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, [ISBN: 9783525461648].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BIBLA_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business with Language 5 Group Elective 1