Deutsch aktuell

Pre-requisites for enrolment

Deutsch aktuell is suitable for students who have completed the German Advanced course, or have achieved the equivalent of a C1 level of the CEFR.

Students who have any prior knowledge of the language are encouraged to self-assess their proficiency by using our on-line assessment or by contacting the Course Organiser

Students who have registered for a course that is not at the right level can request a transfer after session 1 and 2 of the course. (see our Languages FAQ)

Special Information

This course is taught without a coursebook. Teaching and Learning are based on authentic materials. Students will be provided with handouts where necessary.

For more information on course books, visit our Languages FAQ

Content of Course

In Deutsch aktuell students will learn how to:

• Discuss classic and contemporary literature, theatre and cinema
• Present a clear, smoothly-flowing description or argument
• Understand any kind of spoken language
• Deepen their familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
• Write complex letters, reports or articles

Teaching method(s)

Students will explore the use of the language in a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Students will experience the target language in a productive way, carefully designed to grow familiarity and confidence.

We follow an action-oriented communicative approach. The lessons include whole-class activities and pair or small-group work, role-play, responding to short texts, listening to dialogues, and watching video clips. Grammar is consolidated in context. Students will engage with more extensive written exercises and reading texts as part of the autonomous learning activities on the course page on-line (the Virtual Learning Environment of the University of Edinburgh).

Learning is assessed informally throughout the course with the teacher providing regular feedback to help students progress and plan their learning.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students who have fully engaged with all the learning activities will achieve the equivalent of C2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and will be able to:

1. follow specialised lectures and presentations
2. hold their own in formal discussion of complex issues, putting an articulate and persuasive argument,
3. handle difficult and even hostile questioning,
4. produce clear, smoothly flowing, complex reports, articles or essays
5. exploit a comprehensive and reliable mastery of a very wide range of language

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.