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School of Modern Languages & Cultures: Department of German

German Language 2

Pre-requisite: German Language 1(I) [GERM1011]

About this Module

This module is structured around two contact hours per week. It aims to consolidate the oral and written language skills acquired in the course of GERM 1011, and also introduces students to the skill of interpreting. The course is based on a range of topics that seek to address social, cultural and political issues that affect the German-speaking countries, while simultaneously preparing students for undertaking work and study abroad.

Teaching and Learning

The course focuses on the following core skills: 

Presentation and Conversation: This strand consolidates and develops students' confidence and ability to speak German in a variety of everyday situations. Learning takes place through a combination of individual presentations, group conversation work, debates, role plays and class discussion. The formative assessment for this part of the module consists of one individual presentation of circa 5 minutes in length. 

Grammar and Writing: This strand offers the opportunity for students to consolidate and develop the grammar skills acquired in the course of Year One. Students will gain command of more complex grammatical structures, developing their sense of register and increasing the variety and range of their written German. Formative assessment for this strand will consist of five guided written tasks of 350 words, and ad hoc grammar tests to be completed on duo. 

Interpreting: This strand introduces students to the skills of simultaneous interpreting (from ear to mouth) and consecutive interpreting (from notes prepared while listening to a text in the target language). Various techniques for note-taking will be covered throughout the course. Formative assessment for this strand will consist of four exercises, covering consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. 

Attendance will be monitored in all teaching sessions..

Summative Assessment

  • Two-hour written examination (50%)
  • One-hour interpreting examination (25%)
  • 15-minute oral examination (25%)

Year Abroad

During the second year students will be introduced to a range of topics and skills that will be directly relevant to their preparation for their year abroad. 

Recommended Texts

A dossier of material is provided at the beginning of the course. Practice tapes on all of the topics are provided on duo. You will also require: 

The latest editions of the following grammar books: 

  • Durrell, Martin, Hammer's German Grammar and Usage (London: Arnold) 
  • Durrell, Martin, Katrin Kohl and Gudrun Loftus, Practicing German Grammar: A Workbook (London: Arnold) 
  • A good German<>English dictionary (either Oxford/Duden or Collins) 

We would also recommend the purchase of a good monolingual German dictionary (Duden or Wahrig).

Co-ordinator:

Mr Philip Bolton (p.j.bolton@durham.ac.uk), Room A26, Elvet Riverside I.