Auftakt: intermediate German follows on from Rundblick: beginners’ German (L193). It revises and consolidates the knowledge of German you already have and teaches more advanced language in the context of German-speaking countries, their cultures and communities. Study resources – including printed materials and online activities – are carefully designed to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They provide clear learning objectives, guidance and model answers. This key introductory OU level 1 module also teaches good study skills and language-learning strategies.
What you will study
This module will develop your confidence in understanding, speaking, reading and writing German, whether you want to improve your German for personal or for vocational reasons. It offers insights into many aspects of everyday life in modern Germany and Austria, so you should also gain a better understanding of issues that concern German-speaking people.
The module consists of:
- A website – that helps you to navigate through the module and pace your study, as well as offering you the opportunity to interact with other students. It includes video and audio clips recorded in Leipzig, Tübingen and Graz plus a wide range of interactive language activities to develop your speaking and listening skills.
- Two study guides – that help you to navigate through the study material and also contain key language-learning sections.
- A reading and writing book – that will also develop your reading and writing skills.
The material covers themes such as Menschen und Städte, Alltag und Arbeit and Freizeit. There are model answers (Lösungen) to all the tasks.
It is ideal preparation for Motive: upper intermediate German (L203).
This module is designed to enable you to achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level B1 of the Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference of Languages. You will have developed your knowledge and understanding of the language as well as an awareness of cultural diversity in German speaking countries which form a key part of the learning outcomes for studying at this level. By the end of the module you will have developed key OU level 1 undergraduate study skills such as learning to work independently and using strategies which enable you to solve problems and analyse data.
Entry
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to modules at OU level 2.
You will require a working knowledge of German. It is ideal for students who have successfully completed Rundblick: beginners' German (L193) or who have reached a similar standard. Your knowledge need not be formal. It could come from adult education classes, time spent in German-speaking countries, regular contact with German-speaking people or other sources. You should be able to understand the gist of what native speakers say and hold a basic conversation in German, in everyday situations such as talking about yourself, your family and where you’re from; booking a hotel; or asking for directions. Go to our Language diagnostics website to see some sample materials.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Preparatory work
If you have time before the module begins, we suggest that you continue to use your German in any way you can. You could do this by: redoing some of the activities in Rundblick: beginners' German (L193)(books and audio CDs); using online resources; or watching some films in German. Anything you can do to keep practising your German will be helpful.
Qualifications
L130 is an optional module in our:
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is suitable for a BA. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
Please note that this module makes substantial use of audio and visual materials. Full transcripts of the audio and visual materials are provided except for those used for assessment purposes. The written and spoken elements you will be asked to complete as part of your assessment use audio and possibly visual stimuli. A comb-bound version of the written study materials can also be provided on request. The study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.
You’ll need to make extensive use of a personal computer and will need access to the website on a regular basis. You will also be offered tutorials via an online conferencing system.
Study materials
What's included
Books and as a registered language student you have access to an online forum on the module website where you can communicate with fellow students.
You will need
You will need a headset with a microphone and headphones to take part in online tutorials, record spoken tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and complete speaking activities.
Your module study materials will refer to the Collins German Dictionary plus Grammar; however, you could use any other dictionaries or German grammar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written and spoken tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). You can also ask your tutor for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. This module usually includes a mix of face-to-face tutorials and online tutorials. Please note that depending on where you live, the mix will vary and in some places face-to-face tuition may be replaced by telephone conferencing. We may also be able to offer day schools. All of these will provide plenty of opportunities to speak and listen to German. How and where tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the module.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
The TMAs test your writing and speaking skills. The end-of-module assessment (EMA) is a compulsory speaking text which will be carried out online. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the module.
Future availability
The details given here are for the module that starts in October 2016 when it will be available for the final time. A replacement module German studies 1: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L113) is planned for October 2017.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.