LAG1201 German 1 COURSE OUTLINE

Course Objectives: This course focuses on basic linguistic and communicative structures of the German language. Students will be introduced to various aspects of German culture and learn to communicate in simple everyday situations and personal interaction. The module will adopt an integrated approach to language learning and will emphasize equally all four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as the acquisition of grammar structures and vocabulary. Audio and video materials will also be used to supplement the textbook and to provide students with a better insight into Germany, her culture and the life of her people. The module will also attempt to help students optimize their learning by teaching them vital strategies for language learning and language use. This should, in turn, allow students to develop greater learner autonomy.

Course Structure and Schedule The five hours weekly for the course will be divided into: 2 Lectures (each 2 hrs) and 1 Tutorial (1 hr). Students will need to sign up for one lecture group and one tutorial group during CORS. Please check course announcements regularly just before and during the semester at the following URL: http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/edaf/beg/LA1201GR/announcement_LA1201GR.htm

♦ Lectures During the lectures, the students will be introduced to topics of study as well new grammatical aspects. They will also be taught how to react in the foreign language in various common communicative situations. The emphasis will be on developing reading, writing and listening skills as well as acquiring and practicing new linguistic structures. The lessons will be mostly based on the textbook “Eurolingua Deutsch 1” and partly on lecturer’s own material.

♦ Tutorials The tutorials will capitalize on small group environment and seek to provide students with the opportunity to develop speaking skills and acquire new vocabulary. They will also support the lectures in reinforcing the students’ grasp of linguistic structures learnt. Special emphasis will also be given to improve students’ pronunciation and intonation. The lessons will also be based on the textbook “Eurolingua Deutsch 1” as well as additional material prepared by tutors and lecturers.

Assessment The assessment is based entirely on students' coursework. There is no examination for this module. Students will be assessed on their written work (assignments, compositions, project etc), oral speaking abilities, performance in tests as well as class performance. There will be an oral test to assess the students’ ability to communicate in speaking and their pronunciation and intonation. Textbooks * Funk, H. & Koenig, M.: Eurolingua Deutsch 1. Kursbuch. Berlin: Cornelsen. * Funk, H. & Koenig, M.: Eurolingua Deutsch 1. Vocabulary Booklet. Berlin, Cornelsen. These books will be available at the NUS Co-op Bookstore at the Forum just before the semester starts. A dictionary is required for the course. We recommend the following: Oxford-Duden. German-English/English-German. We also recommend the following books for self study: * Rohrmann, Lutz: Learner's Handbook. Berlin: Cornelsen * Rohrmann, Lutz: Eurolingua Deutsch 1. Sprachtraining. Berlin: Cornelsen

Course Content

Topics/Communicative Situations Grammar Greetings Intonation of Words and Sentences Self-Introduction Conjugation of Regular Verbs German Alphabet Conjugation of Irregular Verbs International Words in German Nouns and Gender Vocabulary Plural Forms of Nouns Working with a Dictionary Definite Articles Numbers 0-1000 Word Order: Statements and Questions Communication and Things in the Interrogative Pronouns Classroom Personal Pronouns Asking Questions about a Person Interrogative Pronouns Travelling/Living Abroad Sentence Structures Geography of Europe Negation using nicht Describing One’s Hobbies and Interests Negation using kein/keine Describing a Person Definite & Indefinite Articles Conversational Discourse (Dialogues) Imperative (formal) Conversing over the Phone Nominative and Akkusative Case Vocabulary Learning & Grouping Negation in Accusative Case Meeting People Syntax: Nominative, Accusative Small Talk in a Café Complements Food & Drinks Separable Verbs Ordering Food in a Restaurant Modalverbs: möchten, können, müssen & Writing a Letter mögen Payment in a Restaurant Prepositions with the Accusative Case Telling Time Possessive Pronouns Time Phrases Demonstrative Pronouns Days of the Week Comparisons with gern/lieber/am Fixing an Appointment liebsten Making and Accepting an Invitation Possessivpronoun in Nominative and Introducing the Family/Family Life Accusative Food Items Welcher/dieser in Nominative and Measurements, Colours Accusative Clothing & Colours Doing the Groceries