Students who enter this course will have mastered most of the outcomes of the Independent Abroad level as defined by the IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication. Among other characteristics, these students are able to converse at a rate of speed approaching normal conversation. They are creative, spontaneous, and self-reliant as they solve problems, interpret texts, negotiate, and express their opinions, likes, and dislikes in the culture. Although they still make errors and experience communication breakdowns, these students tend to resolve these challenges on their own. Students who enter this level can already understand a variety of colloquial expressions and slang, and are also able to understand a wide variety of native speakers from different backgrounds.
Students entering this level can succeed in a range of moderately complex university courses designed for native speakers. Before registering, they should consult with the appropriate IES Abroad academic advisor on course selection.
By the end of this course, students will have started to acquire the subtlety of expression and control of complex structures that characterize Competent Abroad learners. However, Emerging Competent Abroad learners have only partial mastery of these structures and quite often resort to simpler and more direct modes of expression, particularly when negotiating linguistically difficult or unfamiliar situations. Students at this level begin to understand some local cultural attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns. However, there will be numerous gaps and inconsistencies in their knowledge, and they lack the depth of understanding and sophistication of those who have spent more time living and working in the local context.
Prerequisites:
Proficiency at a level equivalent to IES Abroad’s Independent Abroad, as determined by placement test.
Attendance policy:
Attendance at all IES Abroad courses, including field studies and excursions is necessary and mandatory. Unexcused absences will count against the grade. Any student who has more than three (3) unexcused absences will receive an “F” as the final grade in the course. Absences due to sickness, religious observances, and family emergencies may be excusable at the discretion of the Center Director.
In the case of an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Academic Officer of the absence with relevant documentation (e.g. a doctor’s note).
Missed tests cannot be taken at another point in time except in case of documented illness!
The use of laptop or notebook microcomputers during class sessions is only permitted with prior permission from the course instructor. Cell phones are to be switched off. Students are expected to be on time for class, since late arrivals can be distracting for the instructor and disruptive for the class.
Learning outcomes:
Students who are placed in this level should have achieved the outcomes in the Independent Abroad level as defined by the IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication.
By the end of the course, students will be able to achieve some of the outcomes for the Emerging Competent Abroad level as defined by the MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication. The key learning outcomes from the MAP are summarized below:
I. Intercultural Communication
A. Students will begin to recognize and describe key host cultures, subcultures, habits, norms, and behaviors in a variety of settings, and they will be aware of the risk that generalizations can lead to stereotypes.
B. Students will be able to reflect on and discuss the validity of their own cultural beliefs, behaviors, and values by contrasting and comparing them with those of the host cultures.
C. Students will demonstrate openness toward different beliefs and styles even when they do not agree with them.
D. Students will accept responsibility for their own learning by defining their linguistic goals and demonstrating independence in their exploration of the culture.
II. Listening
A. Students will be able to identify a range of social and cultural dialects of the spoken language.
B. Students will be able to understand a variety of native speakers and non-native advanced speakers and comprehend an array of moderately complex interactions.
III. Speaking
A. Students will participate reasonably well in most academic and social interactions using when appropriate complex language including slang, colloquial expressions, irony, and humor with increasing confidence.
B. Students will be able to make arguments and form opinions on almost any topic of their interest.
IV. Reading
A. Students will be able to read and understand textbooks and academic articles for classes taught in the host language as well as popular texts for enjoyment.
B. Students will be able to read and understand authentic materials including newspapers, advertisements, brochures, instruction manuals, etc. on abstract topics with some assistance at times.
V. Writing
A. Students will be able to write for multiple audiences and express themselves somewhat clearly and effectively.
B. Students will be able to write essays for classes incorporating aspects of appropriate academic style with some assistance at times.
Required work and form of assessment:
Tests (listening, speaking, reading, writing, intercultural communication – 25%)
Midterm Exam (25%)
Paper (25%)
Final Exam (25%)
content:
Week
Content
Assignments
Corresponding Learning Outcome(s)
Week 1
1.Functional:
Talking about personal identity
Biography
2.Grammatical:
Simple past tense
Conjugation of verbs
Irregular verbs
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: beginning
Biography
German history - 3rd October
National anthem of Germany
4.Culture:
Getting to know the Language center of Humboldt University
History of the German National anthem
National holiday
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Interviewing class mates in order to get to know each other and the teacher
Field study: getting to know the German Holiday of Reunification
I D; I B
II B
III B
IV A
V A
Week 2
1.Functional:
Talking about learning outcomes in German lessons
How to learn a language
2.Grammatical:
Past perfect tense
Future time – present tense
Irregular verbs
3.Vocabulary:
When do you say what? - lernen vs. studieren
Languages in Europe
Where is German spoken?
4.Culture:
History of Germany
Symbols of nationality
Importance of languages in Europe
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Writing an CV of another person
Taking notes while listening to a text about German in Europe
Creative writing:
A new National anthem for Germany
I D
II B
III B
IV A
V A
Week 3
1.Functional:
Talking about the role of German language in Europe
Development of German
Changes in German language
2.Grammatical:
The passive voice (werden-; sein-) I
The verb "sprechen" plus prepositions and prefixes
kennen, können, wissen
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: learning Speaking languages
Learning languages in Europe
4.Culture:
Contacts with German studens after the semester start
Observations on how German natives speak their language
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Reading a newspaper article related to the topic; informing the fellow students about the content and raising a discussion
Creative writing:
What are the differences between spoken and written German that I have noted?
field study: preparation for
week 4
I C; I D
II B
III A
IV B
V A
Week 4
1.Functional:
Presenting and talking about the special conditions of studying at Humboldt University
2.Grammatical:
The passive voice (werden-; sein-) II
haben + sein with verbs
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: language and speaking
Language and language history
Theories on language acquisition
Studies and conditions of studying at Humboldt University
4.Culture:
Admission requirements at German universities (HUB)
Student life in Berlin
Tuition fees
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
field study:
presentation of every group member on a special part of a complex subject
“From school to Humboldt University”
I A; I C
II B
III B
IV B
V A
Week 5
1.Functional:
Talking about the place of Germany in Europe
The History of Germany
2.Grammatical:
Modals and the passive infinitive
Verbs with prepositions
Pronominal adverbs (i.g. darüber, davon etc.)
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: speaking and worldly wisdoms
Expressions of time: dates and periods of time
to name historical events
4.Culture:
The development of Europe – Germany's place in Europe
Germany's history on a time bar
Geography of Germany - names of the Federal States and their geographical position
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Finding the place of Europe and Germany in the history of the world
I C; I D
II A
III B
IV A; IV B
V A
Week 6
1.Functional:
Midterm (Grammar and Reading)
Verb tenses, verbs with prepositions and the passive voice
Reading comprehension: Learning languages – Multilingualism
I C; I D
IV A; IV B
Week 7
1.Functional:
Talking about German character
Validity of stereotypes
Expectations and Berlin reality
Experience and impressions
2.Grammatical:
The sentence – general structure
The functions of “es” in a sentence
The infinitive with „zu“ (I)
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: human character traits
Adjectives for character traits
Figures in comparison
4.Culture:
The 9th November in German history – current German politics
The typical German
The typical Berliner
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Field study: preparation for the presentation of paper
subjects
Preparing the paper
about experience in Berlin
I A; I B; I C
II B
III A; III B
IV B
V B
Week 8
1.Functional:
Comparing expectations with own experience in Berlin
2.Grammatical:
The infinitive with „zu“ (II)
Relative clauses
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: human character traits (II)
History of Berlin – Songs
Experience in Berlin (clubs, opera, traffic …)
Adjectives to describe impressions
Figures in comparison
4.Culture:
German habits in comparison and contrast with own habits
Celebrating Thanksgiving abroad
field study: preparation for the presentation of paper
subjects, getting material and statistics
Preparing the paper
about experience in Berlin
I A; I B; I C
II B
III A; III B
IV B
V B
Week 9
1.Functional:
Comparing expectations with own experience in Berlin
Review on the semester in Berlin
2.Grammatical:
Conjunctions and prepositions of time
Adverbs of time – The tenses of the verb
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: human virtues (I)
Characterizing a city
Distinguishing between a big city and a small town
4.Culture:
Beginning of the Advent season in Berlin
Christmas Markets in Berlin
Historical Berlin
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Field study:
preparing and writing the final paper
about experience in Berlin
Correcting the first written paper by their own and with the teacher consultations
I A; I B; I C; I D
II A
III A
IV A; IV B
V A; V B
Week 10
1.Functional:
Listening and reading texts about experience of other people about Germany and Berlin
Own review on stay in Berlin
2.Grammatical:
Congruence between noun, adjective and verb
Sentence structures at a glance
3.Vocabulary:
Idioms and proverbs: human virtues (II)
Emigration from – Immigration to Germany
4.Culture:
Songs about Berlin
Reflection on each student's sojourn in Berlin
personal observations on everyday life and current events in the host culture
Christmas party in the classroom
Advent season and Christmas Markets in Berlin
Reflecting my impressions of Berlin
Preparation for finals
I A; I B; I C; I D
II A; II B
III A; III B
IV B
V A; V B
Week 11
1.Functional:
Final examination (Grammar and Listening)
Field studies and cultural topics will vary by season and by current events in Berlin.
Required readings:
Material from different textbooks of German as a foreign language provided by the instructor
Recommended readings:
Dreyer-Schmitt, Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik. Verlag für Deutsch
Joachim Buscha, Grammatik in Feldern, Verlag für Deutsch
Helbig/Buscha, Deutsche Grammatik. Ein Handbuch für den Ausländerunterricht, Langenscheidt
Rug-Tomaszewski, Grammatik mit Sinn und Verstand, Klett Edition Deutsch
Renate Wagner, Grammatiktraining Mittelstufe, Verlag für Deutsch
Werner Heidermann, Grammatiktraining Grundstufe, Verlag für Deutsch
K. Hall, Grammatik für Fortgeschrittene, Verlag für Deutsch
Hering/Matussek/Perlmann-Balme, Übungsgrammatik. Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Hueber-Verlag
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Dr. Petra Bielagk has been teaching German as a Foreign Language at IES Abroad Berlin for over ten years. Petra studied Russian, German as a Foreign Language and History in Potsdam, Leipzig and Russia and has called Humboldt University in Berlin home since 1986, where she is head of the German as a Foreign Language department at the university’s language center "ZE Sprachenzentrum" and she also teaches various courses there herself. Petra is committed to finding suitable and challenging languages courses for IES Abroad students at the Humboldt language center in order to help ease their integration among international students. In her brief free-time Petra enjoys history and economics in addition to reading and trips with her family to historic cities.
German Language In Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I
Students who enter this course will have mastered most of the outcomes of the Independent Abroad level as defined by the IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication. Among other characteristics, these students are able to converse at a rate of speed approaching normal conversation. They are creative, spontaneous, and self-reliant as they solve problems, interpret texts, negotiate, and express their opinions, likes, and dislikes in the culture. Although they still make errors and experience communication breakdowns, these students tend to resolve these challenges on their own. Students who enter this level can already understand a variety of colloquial expressions and slang, and are also able to understand a wide variety of native speakers from different backgrounds.
Students entering this level can succeed in a range of moderately complex university courses designed for native speakers. Before registering, they should consult with the appropriate IES Abroad academic advisor on course selection.
By the end of this course, students will have started to acquire the subtlety of expression and control of complex structures that characterize Competent Abroad learners. However, Emerging Competent Abroad learners have only partial mastery of these structures and quite often resort to simpler and more direct modes of expression, particularly when negotiating linguistically difficult or unfamiliar situations. Students at this level begin to understand some local cultural attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns. However, there will be numerous gaps and inconsistencies in their knowledge, and they lack the depth of understanding and sophistication of those who have spent more time living and working in the local context.
Proficiency at a level equivalent to IES Abroad’s Independent Abroad, as determined by placement test.
Attendance at all IES Abroad courses, including field studies and excursions is necessary and mandatory. Unexcused absences will count against the grade. Any student who has more than three (3) unexcused absences will receive an “F” as the final grade in the course. Absences due to sickness, religious observances, and family emergencies may be excusable at the discretion of the Center Director.
In the case of an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Academic Officer of the absence with relevant documentation (e.g. a doctor’s note).
Missed tests cannot be taken at another point in time except in case of documented illness!
The use of laptop or notebook microcomputers during class sessions is only permitted with prior permission from the course instructor. Cell phones are to be switched off. Students are expected to be on time for class, since late arrivals can be distracting for the instructor and disruptive for the class.
Students who are placed in this level should have achieved the outcomes in the Independent Abroad level as defined by the IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication.
By the end of the course, students will be able to achieve some of the outcomes for the Emerging Competent Abroad level as defined by the MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication. The key learning outcomes from the MAP are summarized below:
I. Intercultural Communication
A. Students will begin to recognize and describe key host cultures, subcultures, habits, norms, and behaviors in a variety of settings, and they will be aware of the risk that generalizations can lead to stereotypes.
B. Students will be able to reflect on and discuss the validity of their own cultural beliefs, behaviors, and values by contrasting and comparing them with those of the host cultures.
C. Students will demonstrate openness toward different beliefs and styles even when they do not agree with them.
D. Students will accept responsibility for their own learning by defining their linguistic goals and demonstrating independence in their exploration of the culture.
II. Listening
A. Students will be able to identify a range of social and cultural dialects of the spoken language.
B. Students will be able to understand a variety of native speakers and non-native advanced speakers and comprehend an array of moderately complex interactions.
III. Speaking
A. Students will participate reasonably well in most academic and social interactions using when appropriate complex language including slang, colloquial expressions, irony, and humor with increasing confidence.
B. Students will be able to make arguments and form opinions on almost any topic of their interest.
IV. Reading
A. Students will be able to read and understand textbooks and academic articles for classes taught in the host language as well as popular texts for enjoyment.
B. Students will be able to read and understand authentic materials including newspapers, advertisements, brochures, instruction manuals, etc. on abstract topics with some assistance at times.
V. Writing
A. Students will be able to write for multiple audiences and express themselves somewhat clearly and effectively.
B. Students will be able to write essays for classes incorporating aspects of appropriate academic style with some assistance at times.
Tests (listening, speaking, reading, writing, intercultural communication – 25%)
Midterm Exam (25%)
Paper (25%)
Final Exam (25%)
Week
Content
Assignments
Corresponding Learning Outcome(s)
Week 1
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Interviewing class mates in order to get to know each other and the teacher
Field study: getting to know the German Holiday of Reunification
I D; I B
II B
III B
IV A
V A
Week 2
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Writing an CV of another person
Taking notes while listening to a text about German in Europe
Creative writing:
A new National anthem for Germany
I D
II B
III B
IV A
V A
Week 3
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Reading a newspaper article related to the topic; informing the fellow students about the content and raising a discussion
Creative writing:
What are the differences between spoken and written German that I have noted?
field study: preparation for
week 4
I C; I D
II B
III A
IV B
V A
Week 4
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
field study:
presentation of every group member on a special part of a complex subject
“From school to Humboldt University”
I A; I C
II B
III B
IV B
V A
Week 5
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Finding the place of Europe and Germany in the history of the world
I C; I D
II A
III B
IV A; IV B
V A
Week 6
1.Functional:
Verb tenses, verbs with prepositions and the passive voice
Reading comprehension: Learning languages – Multilingualism
I C; I D
IV A; IV B
Week 7
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Field study: preparation for the presentation of paper
subjects
Preparing the paper
about experience in Berlin
I A; I B; I C
II B
III A; III B
IV B
V B
Week 8
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
field study: preparation for the presentation of paper
subjects, getting material and statistics
Preparing the paper
about experience in Berlin
I A; I B; I C
II B
III A; III B
IV B
V B
Week 9
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Field study:
preparing and writing the final paper
about experience in Berlin
Correcting the first written paper by their own and with the teacher consultations
I A; I B; I C; I D
II A
III A
IV A; IV B
V A; V B
Week 10
1.Functional:
2.Grammatical:
3.Vocabulary:
4.Culture:
Reflecting my impressions of Berlin
Preparation for finals
I A; I B; I C; I D
II A; II B
III A; III B
IV B
V A; V B
Week 11
1.Functional:
Field studies and cultural topics will vary by season and by current events in Berlin.
Material from different textbooks of German as a foreign language provided by the instructor
Dr. Petra Bielagk has been teaching German as a Foreign Language at IES Abroad Berlin for over ten years. Petra studied Russian, German as a Foreign Language and History in Potsdam, Leipzig and Russia and has called Humboldt University in Berlin home since 1986, where she is head of the German as a Foreign Language department at the university’s language center "ZE Sprachenzentrum" and she also teaches various courses there herself. Petra is committed to finding suitable and challenging languages courses for IES Abroad students at the Humboldt language center in order to help ease their integration among international students. In her brief free-time Petra enjoys history and economics in addition to reading and trips with her family to historic cities.