97601 German Language and Culture 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: International Studies: International Studies and Languages
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Description

This subject is designed to provide students who have no prior knowledge of the German language with basic reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. It also facilitates an understanding of and engagement with the sociocultural contexts in which the language is used. Students take active part in learning activities to practise and consolidate their language skills with their peers.

This subject corresponds to Level A1 (basic user) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Council of Europe).

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a.	Comprehend and respond to simple texts in oral and written German
b.	Produce basic texts in oral and written German
c.	Demonstrate intercultural awareness across two or more cultural contexts.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

Understand and employ effective strategies to operate within professional and everyday settings across diverse cultures in Australia and/or internationally. (INT.1.1)
Communicate effectively and appropriately in an additional language for everyday and professional purposes. (INT.3.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject uses a communicative approach in class to maximise students' potential for effective communication in the target language. A series of activities such as interactive activities working in pairs, small and large groups and/or presentations, are promoted in class to enhance students' engagement through content-based learning. Preparation for class activities requires students to complete exercises and reading/listening/viewing activities prior to class to make effective use of resources and subject material (including resources online), community and peer resources available to them to support their learning.

Students are encouraged to customise their learning experience as per the Global German approach to promote their engagement with German-speaking peoples and societies. This entails keeping in mind their goals for the use of German (for instance studying abroad or travel in a particular country or region) and tailoring their practice and learning to maximize exposure to local variants of the language, relevant cultural norms and authentic materials from the area.

As part of an immersive approach to language education, students are encouraged to use the target language within the classroom environment and to build confidence to use the target language outside the classroom. The approximate time commitment expected from students is 12 hours per week, including class time.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Writing task

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Degree of accuracy (grammar and vocabulary)	40	a, b	INT.3.2
Clarity and range of expression (variety of structures and vocabulary)	20	a, b	INT.3.2
Variety, originality and demonstration of the full range of vocabulary and structures	20	a, b	INT.3.2
Appropriate use of cultural conventions relevant to the task	20	c	INT.1.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Oral Production

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight:

35%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Accuracy of grammar	20	a, b	INT.3.2
Accuracy of vocabulary including relevant phrases	20	a, b	INT.3.2
Intelligibility of pronunciation (including intonation and stress)	20	a, b	INT.3.2
Degree of fluency (rate and speed of utterance)	20	a, b	INT.3.2
Relevance and appropriateness of responses	20	a, b, c	INT.3.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Test

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight:

35%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Comprehension of written German	30	a, b	INT.3.2
Lexical and grammatical accuracy	40	b	INT.3.2
Variety, originality and demonstration of full range of vocabulary and structures studied	15	b, c	INT.3.2
Organisation and coherence of ideas	15	b, c	INT.3.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Attendance at tutorials is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. A roll will be taken at each class. If you are late to class and not present when the roll is taken, it is your responsibility to tell your tutor at the end of that class so that your attendance can be recorded. Please note that if you are more than 30 minutes late, you will be noted as absent. Students must attend at least 85% of their classes. Students who fail to do so will be refused the opportunity to submit or take their final assessment (see Rule 3.8). In order to pass this subject, students must earn an overall total of 50 marks or more.

Required texts

Tschirner and Nikolai, (2020). Kontakte: A Communicative Approach. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill

Prescribed Texts (e-book and access to Connect German) available from the link on the Subject Resources page in our Canvas site. A very small number of (paperback) books are in the UTS LIbrary as backup but they do not provide access to the online exercises and listening passages which we will be doing weekly. If you are experiencing financial hardship the University may be able to provide assistance.

Recommended texts

Students should be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects: http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-policy.html, http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-procedures.html

References

The UTS Library contains a collection of books and other resources to assist you in your language learning. The call numbers for these resources are 433 – 438 (including the prescribed textbook, grammar reference books and dictionaries). The library’s reference section also contains numerous dictionaries to consult. Following is a list of suggested resources for you to consult:

Dodd, B. et al (2013) Modern German grammar: a practical guide. Routledge
Duden, Duden Deutsches Universal Wörterbuch. Duden
Gschossmann-Hendershot, E and Feuerle, L. ( 2011) German Grammar. McGraw-Hill
Gütz et al, Grosswörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Langenscheidt
Russ, J.M (2013) German Grammar Hodder and Stoughton
Strutz, H. 501 German Verbs. Barron’s Educational Series
Collins, German Concise Dictionary. Harper Collins
Zorach, C. (2000) English Grammar for Students of German. Olivia and Hill Press
Wahrig, Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, dtv Wahrig

A German-English online dictionary can be found at http://dict.leo.org/

The Library also has a number of CD-ROMs and videos to assist in your language learning. For example:

Countertop Software (2000), Instant Immersion. German (electronic resource)
Fairfield Language Technologies (2001), The Rosetta Stone. German Explorer (electronic resource)
Goethe Institut Inter Nationes (2002)
Redaktion D (Videorecording)
Jenkins, E.M, et al (1993) Schau mal an (Videorecording)

You should also consult this subject’s Canvas site for extensive lists of online resources relevant to particular units of work.

Other resources

Experiencing German Language and Culture in Sydney
Students are encouraged to experience aspects of German language and culture through various sources in Sydney. Here are just a few examples:
SBS Radio and Television
SBS television broadcasts movies and documentaries from all over the world. Check their website for information on programs in German or about German –speaking countries: www.sbs.com.au German Language Programs in German are broadcast on SBS radio on Sydney AM: 1107 and FM: 97.7. Again check SBS’s websites for up-to-date program details.
German Language News: Deutsche Welle TV
SBS regularly presents “Das Journal”, the German news, weekdays at 10:30 am.
Deutsche Welle Radio
ABC NewsRadio (AM 630) broadcasts programs from Deutsche Welle Radio (in English) on weekends. Check the ABC website for program schedules (www.abc.net.au).
The Goethe Institut
The Goethe Institute is the German Culture Centre in Sydney and is located at 90 Ocean St, Woollahra. The Goethe Institute organises concerts, conferences, language classes and exhibitions as well as sponsors numerous culture events in Sydney. They also have an InfoSpace & Gallery where you can find a comprehensive collection of German newspapers and magazines, free internet access, all day German TV and changing exhibitions. www.goethe.de/ins/au/syd/ (click on either the German or Australian flag icons for German or English language versions of the website).
UTS Library
The UTS library holds a variety of German Language and Culture related resources available for loan or in Closed Reserve. Students can access these from the catalogue using, for instance, “German language” as the keywords.