Preparation for German Elementary Step 1

Pre-requisites for enrolment

The Preparation for German Elementary Step 1 course is suitable for students

1. who have completed Beginners Step 1, 2 and 3 at the Centre for Open Learning and would like to revise and consolidate their skills before moving on to German Elementary Step 1;
2. who have completed CEFR A1 level in a different institution and would like to revise and consolidate their skills before moving on to German Elementary Step 1.

Students 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 of the course. (see our Languages FAQ)

Special Information

In case of remote teaching, to successfully engage with the course via Zoom, you will require:

• A reliable internet connection
• A computer equipped with a camera and mic
• A headset or earphones

We recommend that your computer runs a modern operating system. For example, Windows 10 or the latest Apple software.

For more information about technical requirements, please visit the FAQ's on our website.

Content of Course

Over the 3 weeks, students will revise and consolidate how to:

• Give personal information
• Talk about daily routine
• Express likes and dislikes
• Ask for and give directions
• Describe their home, their town
• Order food and drinks
• Talk about spare time and hobbies

(Content list is indicative)

Students will learn more about the cultures associated with the language.

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 introduced in context. Pronunciation is practised regularly. 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 Preparation for German Elementary Step 1 course, students who have fully engaged with all the learning activities will achieve the equivalent of A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and will be able to:

1. Introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions about family, hobbies and housing.
2. Carry out basic everyday tasks like ordering a meal or asking for directions.
3. Understand very simple oral and written texts.
4. Write simple short texts.

Show limited control of a few simple grammatical structures and sentence patterns in a basic repertoire.

Sources

Class Handouts

Handouts for this course will be provided by COL.

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.