- An undergraduate course
in
Languages.
Auftakt: intermediate German
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | L130 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
Auftakt: intermediate German follows on from Rundblick: beginners’ German (L193). It revises and consolidates the knowledge of German you already have and teaches more advanced language in the context of German-speaking countries and communities. Study resources – including printed course books and online interactive activities – are carefully designed to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They provide clear learning objectives, guidance and model answers. This key introductory Level 1 course also teaches good study skills and language-learning strategies.
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What you will study
Auftakt will develop your confidence in understanding, speaking, reading and writing German, whether you want to improve your German for personal or for vocational reasons. It offers insights into many aspects of everyday life in modern Germany and Austria, so you should also gain a better understanding of issues that concern German-speaking people.
The course consists of:
- A website – that helps you to navigate through the course and pace your study, as well as offering you the opportunity to interact with other students. It includes video and audio clips recorded in Leipzig, Tübingen and Graz plus a wide range of interactive language activities to develop your speaking and listening skills.
- Two study guides – that help you to navigate through the study material and also contain key language-learning sections.
- A reading and writing book – that will also develop your reading and writing skills.
The material covers themes such as Menschen und Städte, Alltag und Arbeit and Freizeit. There are model answers (Lösungen) to all the tasks.
Auftakt is an ideal preparation for Motive: upper intermediate German (L203).
This course is designed to enable you to achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level B1 of the Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference of Languages. You will have developed your knowledge and understanding of the language as well as an awareness of cultural diversity in German speaking countries which form a key part of the learning outcomes for studying at this Level. By the end of the module you will have developed key Level 1 undergraduate study skills such as learning to work independently and using strategies which enable you to solve problems and analyse data.
Entry
This is a key introductory Level 1 course. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to courses at Level 2.
Auftakt requires a working knowledge of German. It is ideal for students who have successfully completed Rundblick: beginners' German (L193) or who have reached a similar standard. Your knowledge need not be formal. It could come from adult education classes, time spent in German-speaking countries, regular contact with German-speaking people or other sources. You should be able to understand the gist of what native speakers say and hold a basic conversation in German, in everyday situations such as talking about yourself, your family and where you’re from; booking a hotel; or asking for directions. Go to our Language diagnostics website to see some sample materials.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you have time before the course begins, we suggest that you continue to use your German in any way you can. You could do this by: redoing some of the activities in Rundblick: beginners' German (L193), particularly Rundblick 6 (book and audio CD) which takes you through a revision of everything learnt in the course; watching and listening to the L193 audio materials; reading a German newspaper; using online resources; or watching some films in German. Anything you can do to keep practising your German will be helpful. L193 materials are either available to buy from The Open University Worldwide website or for viewing at your regional or national centre.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
Please note that this course makes substantial use of audio and visual materials. Full transcripts of the audio and visual materials are provided except for those used for assessment purposes. The written and spoken elements you will be asked to complete as part of your assessment use audio and possibly visual stimuli. A comb-bound version of the written study materials can also be provided on request. The study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
You’ll need to make extensive use of a personal computer and will need access to the website on a regular basis. You will also be offered tutorials via an online conferencing system.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Books and access to a website which includes links to forums and a real time audio-visual conferencing tool that allows you to communicate with fellow students and your tutor.
You will need
You will need a headset with a microphone and earphones to take part in online tutorials, record spoken tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and complete speaking activities.
Please also check the Computing requirements and Assessment sections.
Your Auftakt study materials will refer to the Collins German Dictionary plus Grammar; however, you could use any other dictionaries or German grammar.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
- A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
- If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Collins German Dictionary & Grammar, Collins £12.99 - ISBN 9780007323166
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written and spoken tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). You can also ask your tutor for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. This course usually includes a mix of face-to-face tutorials and online tutorials. Please note that depending on where you live, the mix will vary and in some places face-to-face tuition may be replaced by telephone conferencing. We may also be able to offer day schools. All of these will provide plenty of opportunities to speak and listen to German. Where face-to-face tutorials or day schools are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
The TMAs test your written or spoken skills. The end-of-module assessment (EMA) comprises of a spoken element that assesses your spoken skills and will be carried out at a compulsory online tutorial. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“This course was my first OU course and I really enjoyed it. The materials are all excellent, especially the DVD-ROM's. ...”
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“I really enjoyed this course. The materials were very good and my tutor was wonderful. The problem learning languages at ...”
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Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | L130 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
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