LN752     
German: Level Four (Standard)

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Christine Lattek PEL.6.01

Pre-requisites

Skills and knowledge at the A2/B1 level of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages.

Students should:

  • demonstrate commitment to regular attendance, completion of homework and all assessments;
  • dedicate at least two hours per week for coursework in addition to classes.

All students must take the online aptitude test and gain permission of the tutor in the Needs Analysis Interview to take this course. Students are not expected to be very experienced language learners.

Course content

Course Aim:

  • To develop the ability to use German effectively for purposes of practical communication in familiar contexts
  • To establish the skills, language and attitudes required to promote and facilitate further study of German
  • To improve the pronunciation of German sounds and sentence intonation
  • To deal with a range of predictable simple language tasks using a range of language to meet the needs of differing but familiar situations and topics
  • To enable students to understand simple authentic media texts and audio-visual material related to political, social and economic issues in German-speaking countries 
  • To enable students to discuss social, political and economic issues related to German-speaking countries  
  • To bring students to level B1/B2 CEFR

Communicative Content:

  • Communicating about social, political and economic issues
  • Communicating about professional life and future plans 
  • Expressing emotions, describing the behaviour of people
  • Communicating about your studies and research
  • Communicating about a variety of texts, e.g. literary, journalistic, academic etc.
  • Expressing your opinion in discussions and arguments
  • Arguing in favour or against possible actions

Structural Content: Developing a communicative and contextual understanding of a range of grammatical structures:

  • Syntax of compound and complex sentences, use of connectors, valency of verbs  
  • Active and passive voice constructions in all tenses
  • Use of indirect speech, and the subjunctive
  • Participle constructions
  • Nominalization
  • Use of modal verbs and modal verb alternatives

Teaching

16 hours of classes in the MT. 22 hours of classes in the LT. 2 hours of classes in the ST.

This is a 40 hour-course. Please refer to the LSE timetable for course teaching arrangements.

Indicative reading

Upon teacher's advice:

  • Aspekte neu B1 plus, Klett Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-12-605016-6

Assessment

Continuous assessment (70%) in the MT and LT.
Oral examination (30%) in the LT.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Language Centre

Total students 2020/21: 9

Average class size 2020/21: 9

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information