German
Queen's UniversityGRMN 102/3.0
Beginner's German II
Winter 2013
Please address any questions or concerns about the course to the Course Coordinator,
Dr. Monika Holzschuh Sator.
Times and Places
| GRMN | Slot | Instructor | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Room |
| 102 001 | 2 | M. Holzschuh Sator | 9:30 | 8:30 | 10:30 | BIO 1120 | ||
| 102 002 | 12 | M. Holzschuh Sator | 12:30 | 11:30 | 13:30 | KINGST 304 | ||
| 102 003 | 21 | M.-T. Ferguson | 14:30 | 16:30 | 15:30 | KINGST 108 |
Books (required):
TBA
Other Material:
Our textbook Kontakte has an Online Learning Center: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073535338/information_center_view0/. Click on ‘Student edition'.
- For the audio program in the workbook, which you will need for your homework: choose the chapter you want to work on inthe menu on the left side (we start with 'Einführung A'). Then click on 'Audio Program' under 'More Resources'.
- For the dialogues from the textbook, choose ‘Course-wide Content / Textbook audio' and select the appropriate chapter.
- For quizzes on vocab and grammar, cultural information and the ‘Blickkontakte' videos, select the chapter you want to work on inthe menu on the left side and then choose from a variety of exercises.
We will also watch parts of a language learning program called redaktion-D(Video Language Course. Goethe Institut Inter Nationes, Wolters Kluwer, 2002). You do not need to purchase this video.
Course Objectives:
German 102 is intended for students who have taken GRMN 101 or its equivalent previously or have basic knowledge of German.
While we emphasize oral communication, all four foreign language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) will be addressed. With your active participation, this course will
- help you to have everyday conversations in German. You will learn how to function in a German-speaking environment and to express yourself on a number of topics
- enable you to understand speakers of German on topics such as leisure-time activities, interests, personal history, etc.
- help you acquire reading strategies in German, enabling you to understand and analyze different kinds of texts with limited dictionary use
- enable you to write short messages, postcards, letters, summaries, take notes, compose paragraphs, dealing with everyday topics and issues
- provide you with basic grammatical and syntactic structures and patterns, which underlie all communication in the language
- inform you about various aspects of the culture in German-speaking countries
Grading and Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (see http://www.academicintegrity.org/fundamental_values_project/index.php). These values are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential to the intellectual life of the University (see the Senate Report on Principles and Priorities). Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the regulations concerning academic integrity and for ensuring that their assignments conform to the principles of academic integrity. Information on academic integrity is available in the Arts and Science Calendar (see Academic Regulation 1), on the Arts and Science website (see http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academics/academic-integrity), and from the instructor of this course.
Grading
Your final grade will consist of the following components:
| Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Attendance and Participation | 10 % |
|
Homework: Textbook Exercises and Workbook completion throughout the semester |
5% |
| 3 Schreibarbeiten (writing projects) | 5% |
| 10 quizzes | 10% |
| 2 test | 25% |
| Mid-term oral interview | 10% |
| Oral project | 10% |
| Final exam | 25% |
Homework
For each chapter of Kontakte, you must complete the assigned exercises pages in the Textbook (TB) and the Workbook (Arbeitsbuch = AB). For each class, you will find clearly set-out guidelines in the Study Guide (see link above).
Study You will be given a list of 'Learned Knowledge: Wortschatz [vocabulary, literally: treasure of words] and grammar for each chapter to facilitate your studying.
Please work with this list after each class!
Review In order to review, study and once more practice the new vocabulary and structures, complete the corresponding exercises in the workbook (Arbeitsbuch = AB). Carefully correct your answers using a pen of different color and referring to the answer key in the back of the Arbeitsbuch.
Prepare In order to prepare for the next class, read and complete the (light blue) grammar sections in the textbook (Textbuch = TB) as assigned in the study guide. Write your answers on a separate sheet rather than in the textbook, then, check your answers in the back of the book (Appendix G, starting on page A-35 for Kapitel 5) and correct them with a pen of different color. Practice self-correction, an important skill in language learning. Submit these exercises as requested by instructor. Some of the material may be covered during class, so please always bring your answers along.
Work on the specific exercises assigned in the Semesterplan (study guide) each day, even if your homework isn't collected on a daily basis. These detailed assignments serve as important complements to review, foster, and expand your daily learning experiences in the classroom.
Exposing yourself to German in frequent and short study sessions is a very important and effective language learning strategy; due to the cumulative nature of the material, "cramming" won't work as a long-term study habit.
Homework is usually due when a chapter is finished – specific due dates for your homework are given in the Semesterplan. For each chapter, the assignments will be graded as satisfactory only if handed in on time, complete, and appropriately corrected.
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is mandatory and of the utmost importance in making your language learning experience a successful one. Your attendance and participation grade will be lowered by 1% for each unexcused absence in excess of three classes (= 1 week!) and 2 tutorial sessions.
There are no make-up quizzes or tests given. Exceptions are made only for documented illness. In case of illness, please inform your instructor in a timely manner.
Should you have to miss a class, it is your responsibility to catch up on work and assignments. Please ask your fellow students first - your instructor will be happy to answer any remaining questions.
Quizzes
There will be short weekly quizzes of approx. 5 minutes each. Each quiz will test vocabulary, ability to understand and communicate on the current level of the class, and recently learned grammar structures. The quizzes are meant to help you stay on top of the material in your List of Learned Knowledge.
Tests
The two longer tests are 50 minutes long. They will entail a listening comprehension section, test communicative and writing skills, vocabulary and grammar structures.
Schreibaufgaben
Write one or two paragraphs on assigned topics.
1 Schreiben Sie 10 Sätze über Ihre Zukunftspläne!
Due: Woche 6, Stunde 2
2 Schreiben Sie 10 Sätze über Ihre Traumwohnung oder Ihr Traumhaus!
Due: Woche 7, Stunde 2.
3 Was essen Sie gern? Essen Sie gesund? Wie heißt Ihr Lieblingsrestaurant? Erzählen Sie über Ihren letzten Restaurantbesuch! Schreiben Sie 12 Sätze.
Due: Woche 10 Stunde 1.
Oral Interview
The oral interview is about 10 minutes in length. You will be asked to sign up for a time during the eighth week of the semester. You will meet with one of the instructors of GRMN 101 and have a conversation on the level appropriate to the course.
The grade is assigned by the instructor with whom you meet.
Oral Project
In small groups, organize a presentation or skit on a German cultural topic of your choice. It must be presented in German. You may not read directly from a written text. You may use bullet points on note cards if necessary. Bring objects to look at and/or pictures!
The grade will be split between content, language and presentation skills. You can and should work on the project together and each student has to talk during the actual presentation, preferably every member of a group for an equal time. Groups will be allocated about 3-4 minutes per member. Please discuss your script with the instructor prior to your presentation! Pick a topic that interests you. Your presentation must build on themes, vocabulary, grammatical structures and cultural information that the course provides.
Final Exam
The exam takes place during the exam period in April. It will be two hours in length and it will be scheduled by the Exams Office (your instructor has no influence on exam arrangements).No aids will be allowed. If you need special arrangements for the exam, please seek advice at Health, Counseling and Disability services.
Practice Exam (PDF 80 KB)
Special Arrangements
In the case that you are eligible for special arrangements, please do not hesitate to request them not only for the final exam, but also speak to your instructor as soon as possible, so that you can be accommodated for other assignments, where needed. Please indicate such requests early in the semester.
Add/Drop Dates for Half-Courses, Winter Term 2013
Add: TBA
Drop Without academic penalty: TBA
Additional Tips
The activities in the classroom are mainly concerned with the acquisition of active communicative skills. You should review the material carefully after each class in order to be able to participate freely in activities. Conscientious learning of grammatical concepts and vocabulary are important as a basis for meaningful practice in real communicative situations.
Your instructor will speak German in class. You will not understand every word, but do not worry about this; simply keep listening for words that you do know. Most of the time the expressions you already know, together with visual cues (including gesture and facial expression, but also posture, pointing, illustrations, sound effects etc.) and other contextual information will enable you to understand what is going on, and even to infer the meaning of new expressions. Gradually you will understand more and more if you make the effort to listen carefully every day. A good language learner is a willing guesser who accepts the uncertainty of not understanding every word. But please: never hesitate to ask for clarification of an important concept or if you don't know what to do in an activity.
Please make use of our office hours! This time is set aside to help you with any problems or concerns, for example to go over a concept that you found difficult, for help with pronunciation etc.
Dictionary
How you can keep learning German
over the summer holidays or after you graduate... Here are some great resources on the internet!
- Check out the BBC's German Steps: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/lj/
- Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster,has a great website with lots of activities to learn German: http://www.dw-world.de/. There are many interesting features, f.ex. ‘Deutsch Interaktiv' - German in 30 Lessons, with over 1000 exercises, videos, audio material and slideshows. A lot of it can be downloaded to your iPod.
- Also highly recommended: the home page of the Goethe-Institut, another organization promoting German language and culture: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/duw/deindex.htm (including chat rooms, e-mail contacts etc.)