HU Credits: 4

Degree/Cycle: 1st degree (Bachelor)

Responsible Department: Language Center

Semester: 1st Semester

Teaching Languages: German

Campus: Mt. Scopus

Course/Module Coordinator: Language Center

Coordinator Email: languagehu@savion.huji.ac.il

Coordinator Office Hours: By appointment

Teaching Staff:
Ms. Anne Nussbaum,
Mr. Gregory Grigoriants

Course/Module description:
The Language Center courses are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). “German 3” is designed in accordance with B1.1 outcomes. Classes are conducted in the target language from day one and simultaneously develop oral and written reception, production and interaction skills. The learning process is systematic and gradual, placing emphasis on linguistic and cultural awareness, on mediation and intercultural communication competence, and on developing effective learning strategies, fostering autonomous learning. Learning outcomes are formulated in CAN DO terms, what learners can actually do in the language, in keeping with the CEFR.

Course/Module aims:
- developing a rich communicative repertoire in the target language
- internalizing the language through first-hand experience
- developing nuanced cultural awareness
- developing effective and appropriate intercultural communication skills
- forming a positive and supportive learning environment
- boosting learner confidence
- building the foundations for advanced academic skills in the target language
- developing autonomous learning tools and an awareness to learning processes
- maximizing learning in and outside of the classroom

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- comprehend straightforward texts on subjects related to own fields of interest, relying on context and prior knowledge.
- comprehend the main points of oral and written input on familiar topics in real-time (e.g., a guided tour, or directions from an app or passerby).
- express themselves orally and in writing on subjects related to their fields of interest, including descriptive language, sequence of events, expressing an opinion and justifying it.
- conduct everyday conversations in real-time without much effort.
- correspond about matters related to studies, work or personal life in an effective and appropriate manner.
- discuss orally and in writing, without much effort, cultural and linguistic points of interest using the target language and relevant terminology.
- mediate between various parties thanks to linguistic and cultural understanding.
- manage their own learning processes autonomously while developing personalized learning strategies.
- continue to effectively develop their language skills outside of the classroom, for example via tandem language exchange.
- integrate into the consecutive course at the Hebrew University or in CEFR-aligned frameworks abroad.

Detailed learning outcomes are available at https://languages.huji.ac.il/cefr

Attendance requirements(%):
100%

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Active and intensive learning, facilitated by the teachers, via exclusive use of the target language. The course takes an action-oriented approach; therefore, all students must be active and work to co-construct meaning, employing oral and written reception, production, interaction and mediation skills. Students are responsible for their own learning processes, inside and outside of classroom. Outcomes depend entirely on preparation (flipped classroom) and on active participation in all sessions. The learning process relies on continuous assessment and learner awareness throughout, centered around oral and written CAN DO tasks and various forms of quizzes. Students receive consistent and detailed feedback, and reflect on their own needs and learning processes, which in turn feed back into their learning. Summative assessment consists of an oral exam towards the end of the semester and a final written exam, which both assess fluency, accuracy and cultural appropriateness.

Course/Module Content:
- Jobs
- Friendship
- Far from home
- Leisure
- Cinema
- Biographies
- Consumer society

Required Reading:
Motive A2
Kursbuch, Lektion 9–18
Kompaktkurs DaF
ISBN 978-3-19-001881-9

Arbeitsbuch, Lektion 9–18 mit MP3-Audio-CD
Kompaktkurs DaF
ISBN 978-3-19-031881-0

Additional Reading Material:
Additional resources will be posted via Moodle.

Grading Scheme :
Written Exam % 35
Other 65 %

Additional information:
Formative Assessment

Assessment of
Communicative Competence
- "Can do" projects, including revision and reflection: 20%
- Oral communication quizzes (online): 15% (lowest grade dropped from average)

Assessment of Building Blocks
- Ongoing tasks, including preparation: 15%
- In-class quizzes: 15% (lowest two grades dropped from average)

Summative Assessment
- Oral exam 15% (during class time, towards the end of the semester)
- Final written CAN DO exam 20% (dates published in official university exam schedule)

Please carefully review the guidelines below:
1. According to HUJI regulations (6.2) participation in all classes is mandatory. Lack of participation, including due to conflicts in scheduling, may result in not being eligible for a course grade.
2. Participation in Language Center classes is 100% mandatory. Since language classes, much like workshops or labs, rely entirely on learning by doing, they cannot be made up after the fact. When absence is justified due to illness, students must make a special effort to catch up and come prepared to the next session. Arriving in class more than 15 minutes late will be marked as an absence. In the event of participation in less than 80% of the sessions, the student will not receive a grade for the entire course.
3. All quizzes are conducted at the designated time only and cannot be completed later.
4. All course assignments must be submitted on time to ensure the coherence of the learning process. Submitting a language task from early on in the course at the end of the course defeats the purpose and cannot be accepted.
5. In the event of planned absence, recognized by university regulations, including army reserve duty, hospitalization, childbirth or a mandatory study trip for another course, the teacher will provide guidelines for completing course work, including alternative submission and quiz dates. Such arrangements must be coordinated with the teacher in advance and not after the fact.
6. The oral exam will take place during class time, towards the end of the semester, and will be conducted by two teachers, as per the regulations. This exam will have no alternative date.
7. The final written exam will take place on the dates set within the official university exam schedule. This exam ist open book.

* The Language Center has partnered with several CEFR-aligned international examination bodies to provide our students with the option of standardized language certification. In German we offer the Goethe exam from time to time. These exams are external to course requirements; students will receive notice of such options and of the participation fees.