Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To teach German within the framework of the Council of Europe guidelines contained in the theme of 'languages for work and life' by including specific engineering tasks which require significant technical input and knowledge.
• To encourage students to adopt the mode of 'learning languages for life' by taking responsibility for their own learning.
• To consolidate and develop linguistic competence in listening, speaking and reading skills, and to extend competence using writing skills within work-related situations.
• To develop technological knowledge and understanding of German industry.
• To learn to handle authentic materials, in any medium, in German.

Content

NB First introductory session of 2 hours (tba)

Students will be encouraged to explore, dissect and present a current issue in research in the field of Engineering and its bearing on the German-speaking world. This should be done by using all four linguistic skills and a specific knowledge of the correct terminology and structure of German.

All students will have to submit a report and give a 10 minute oral presentation.

Students may choose a topic in consultation with the project leader and/or the PhD student that will support them throughout the project.

FORMAT

In order to achieve results applicable to the German-speaking context, tasks will be underpinned by the following principles:

• task-based approach - to reflect the realities of current language use.
• skill integration - to operate efficiently in real life.
• language integration - to achieve the greatest degree of realism and authenticity.
• cultural awareness - to operate successfully in a linguistic and social sense.

A minimum of 2 hours (and up to 4 hours) contact teaching + 1 hour supervision + 12 hours untimetabled / week.

Group teaching, group work, pair work and individual work will be employed.

The projects will be run from CLIC to enable full use of the resources therein.

Assessment will be based on current and technical language (60%) and engineering (40%) content.

ACTIVITIES

Class activities will aim to develop students’ oral and aural skills, as well as their reading and writing skills (including report writing).

FURTHER INFORMATION

A Foreign Language Projects information session will be held in Michaelmas in CLIC. See ‘Key Dates’ to find out the exact date.