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| Unit name |
Teaching German as a Foreign Language |
| Unit code |
GERM32061 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Mr. Langner |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of German |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
In this unit students will be introduced to teaching German as a foreign language. It contains an introduction to different teaching styles and strategies. We will also deal with various aspects/difficulties of language teaching, such as the use of the target language in the classroom, how to engage pupils actively in lessons as well as how to use resources and technology effectively and appropriately. We will discuss how to plan and teach stimulating, motivating and challenging lessons. In this process students will get familiarized with lessons plans. Students will also be encouraged to develop their capacity for critical analysis of the lesson they planed. Seminars will include a mixture of presentations, discussions, and practical workshops. Where possible, students will observe practical language teaching in secondary schools in Bristol and (team-) teach one of the lessons they planned for their assignment, subject to the successful establishment of partnering links.
Aims:
- To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to final year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
- To facilitate students engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
- To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level I.
- To equip students with the skills to undertake postgraduate study in a relevant field.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful students will:
- be knowledgable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
- will have advanced skills in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
- be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at an advanced level;
- be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an advanced level of complexity;
- be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including postgraduate study.
Teaching Information
Two seminar hours per week for eleven weeks of one teaching block.
Assessment Information
Two essays of 3,000 words where the first one will explore theoretical issues of language pedagogy, and the second will contain specific plans for a series of lessons with an analysis of the pedagogical aims and principles, and an explanation why certain materials and approaches were chosen.
Reading and References
Recommended reading:
- Terry Atkinson, Elisabeth Lazarus, A Guide to Teaching Languages (Nelson Thornes, 1997)
- Marilyn Leask, Norbert Pachler, Learning to Teach Using ICT in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (Routledge, 2005)
- Norbert Pachler, Ann Barnes and Kit Field (eds), Learning to Teach Modern Foreign Languages in the Secondary School (Routledge, 32008)
- Ann Swarbrick (ed), Teaching Modern Foreign Languages in Secondary Schools: A Reader (Routledge, 2002)
