Lehramt Bachelor (LA-BA) (from WS 2011-12): Course Overview

In the new LA bachelor degree programme, there is no language course prescribed for the first semester except for those studying Lehramt Grundschule. Nevertheless, all students are welcome to attend the optional Foundation Course in the first semester. In particular, those who achieve less than 50% in the Assessment Test are strongly recommended to take the Foundation Course in their first semester to sort out any language deficits they may have. 

Here is the sequence of language courses for new LA-BA students: 

a) LA-BA Grundschule:  

Introductory English Course

(1^st Semester: Module Ba)

↓
Oral Skills

(2^nd Semester: Module Ba)

↓
Skills-Focused Language Course I

 (3^rd Semester: Module D)

↓
Skills-Focused Language Course II

(4^th Semester: Module D)

↓
Translation*

(5^th Semester: Module Y)

* Module Y courses only have to be attended by students who choose not to spend a semester abroad as part of their English studies (Module X)

 b) LA-BA Haupt-, Real-, Gesamtschule: 

Introductory English Course

(2^nd Semester: Module B)

↓
Skills-Focused Language Course I

 (3^rd Semester: Module D)

↓
Skills-Focused Language Course II

(4^th Semester: Module D)

↓
Translation*

(5^th Semester: Module Y)

↓
Advanced Writing Skills

(6^th Semester: Module Ga)

* Module Y courses only have to be attended by students who choose not to spend a semester abroad as part of their English studies (Module X)

C) LA-BA Gymnasium/Gesamtschule & LA-BA Berufskolleg:

Introductory English Course

(2^nd Semester: Module B)

↓
Skills-Focused Language Course I

 (3^rd Semester: Module D)

↓
Skills-Focused Language Course II

(4^th Semester: Module D)

↓
Advanced Writing Skills

(5^th Semester: Module H)

 * Module Y courses only have to be attended by students who choose not to spend a semester abroad as part of their English studies (Module X)

Lehramt Master (LA-MA) (from WS 2011-12): Course Overview

Here are the language courses for LA-MA students :

a) LA-MA Grundschule (vertieft): Writing Skills(3^rd Semester: Module Kb)

b) LA-MA Haupt-, Real-, Gesamtschule: no language course 

C) LA-MA Gymnasium/Gesamtschule & LA MA Berufskolleg: Translation (3^rd Semester: Module L)

Lehramt (LA) (prior to WS 2011-12): Course Overview

The sequence of courses for LA students in the Grundstudium depends on their assessment test result:

a) LA students with less than 60% in the Assessment Test:

* Normally we can only guarantee students one language course per semester and therefore they should attend Skills-Focused Language Course I in their 3^rd semester and Skills-Focused Language Course II in their 4^th semester. Only LA (GHR) students, who have to complete their Grundstudium in 3 semesters, should do both these courses in their 3^rd semester. However, if students, for any reason, cannot find a place in Skills-Focused Language Course I in their 3^rd semester, they can attend a Skills-Focused Language Course II instead.

b) LA students with 60% or more in the Assessment Test:

* Normally we can only guarantee students one language course per semester and therefore they should attend Skills-Focused Language Course I in their 2^nd semester and Skills-Focused Language Course II in their 3^rd semester. However, if students, for any reason, cannot find a place in Skills-Focused Language Course I in their 2^nd semester, they can attend a Skills-Focused Language Course II instead.

The Foundation Course is designed to work on existing problem areas of English grammar for first semester students and to apply them in context. A wide range of authentic and specially selected teaching materials will be used to improve students' accuracy and fluency whilst systematically aiming to expand their vocabulary.

NOTE: Based on the results of the assessment test, students with sufficient language competence will be given a waiver for the Foundation Course; these students can register for a Foundation Course Plus immediately. Lists will be posted after the assessment test prior to registration. Registration for Foundation Courses will take place during the first week of the semester.

Foundation Plus (Module I)

At the end of this course students will be expected to have a thorough command of grammar and vocabulary as well as the ability to comprehend sophisticated texts and discuss complex topics. Materials will be typically taken from cultural studies, current affairs, linguistics, literature and education.

Skills-Focused Language Course I - Receptive Skills (Module I)

The main aim of the course is to improve students' listening and reading skills. These skills will be trained systematically by exposing students to a wide range of authentic written and spoken discourse, thereby also raising awareness of the underlying mental principles and strategies that govern the reading and listening process. 

Skills-Focused Language Course II - Productive Skills (Module I)

The main aim of the course is to improve students' writing and speaking skills. We will be giving each of the skills equal weighting, sometimes focusing purely on the oral dimension (e.g. presentation and rhetorical techniques, paraphrasing skills), sometimes devoting our time to writing (e.g. organising paragraphs, basic essay structure, style). Underpinning this course will be the attempt to develop both sets of skills together wherever possible (e.g. student presentations followed by written expansions and vice versa). A further principle within this framework will be the encouragement of students' self-evaluation and peer correction. As is the case with all language practice courses of this module, grammar and lexis will be reviewed and practised where necessary.

Lehramt Hauptstudium: Course Descriptions

Advanced Oral Skills (Module VI)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

English in the Classroom (Module VII)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

Translation (Module VIII)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

Advanced Writing Skills (Module IX)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

Lehramt Grundstudium: Course Descriptions

Foundation (Module I)

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Course Overview

The sequence of courses for BA students depends on their assessment test result:

a) BA students with less than 60% in the Assessment Test:

Normally we can only guarantee students one language course per semester and therefore they should attend each of the above courses in the semester stipulated in brackets. However, if students, for any reason, cannot find a place in the course they are supposed to attend after the first two semesters, semesters 3 and 4 can be done in reverse as can semesters 5 and 6.

b) BA students with 60% or more in the Assessment Test:

Normally we can only guarantee students one language course per semester and therefore they should attend each of the above courses in the semester stipulated in brackets. However, if students, for any reason, cannot find a place in the course they are supposed to attend after the first semester, semesters 2 and 3 can be done in reverse as can semesters 4 and 5.

BA: Course Descriptions

Foundation (Module I) The Foundation Course is designed to work on existing problem areas of English grammar for first semester students and to apply them in context. A wide range of authentic and specially selected teaching materials will be used to improve students' accuracy and fluency whilst systematically aiming to expand their vocabulary.

NOTE: Based on the results of the assessment test, students with sufficient language competence will be given a waiver for the Foundation Course; these students can register for a Foundation Course Plus immediately. Lists will be posted after the assessment test prior to registration. Registration for Foundation Courses will take place during the first week of the semester.

Foundation Plus (Module I)

At the end of this course students will be expected to have a thorough command of grammar and vocabulary as well as the ability to comprehend sophisticated texts and discuss complex topics. Materials will be typically taken from cultural studies, current affairs, linguistics, literature and education.

Skills-Focused Language Course I - Receptive Skills (Module I)

The main aim of the course is to improve students' listening and reading skills. These skills will be trained systematically by exposing students to a wide range of authentic written and spoken discourse, thereby also raising awareness of the underlying mental principles and strategies that govern the reading and listening process. 

Skills-Focused Language Course II - Productive Skills (Module I)

The main aim of the course is to improve students' writing and speaking skills. We will be giving each of the skills equal weighting, sometimes focusing purely on the oral dimension (e.g. presentation and rhetorical techniques, paraphrasing skills), sometimes devoting our time to writing (e.g. organising paragraphs, basic essay structure, style). Underpinning this course will be the attempt to develop both sets of skills together wherever possible (e.g. student presentations followed by written expansions and vice versa). A further principle within this framework will be the encouragement of students' self-evaluation and peer correction. As is the case with all language practice courses of this module, grammar and lexis will be reviewed and practised where necessary.

Advanced Oral Skills (5th semester: Module VI)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

Advanced Writing Skills (6th semester: Modules VIII/IX)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

Master of Arts (MA): Course Overview

Advance Language Skills (1st semester: Module X)

The aim of this course is to give students the opportunity to improve their language skills - both receptive (listening and reading comprehension) and productive (speaking and writing) - using a variety of authentic materials. Students will be able to apply these language skills within the same context. Such an integrated approach means that a practice unit might start off with a listening activity which would then be followed by a discussion and/or related reading texts, and finally rounded off with a written assignment. Students will also be encouraged to expand their vocabulary by focusing on a number of specific topics and vocabulary fields. As always, students will have the chance to encounter the target vocabulary in various activities, texts and exercises in order to reinforce the learning effect. Please pick up the relevant materials from the copy shop (Kopiersysteme Ewald Priebe, Segerothstr. 81) shortly before the semester begins.

N.B. This course is aimed specifically at MA students to compensate for the fact that LA students have their own special language course (Language in the Classroom) in Module VII of their advanced study programme, although LA students who come under the old exam regulations may also be interested.

Translation (2nd semester: Modules XII/XIV)

See the LSF for course descriptions of individual lecturers

Kulturwirt (BA): Course Overview

Integrated Language Course I (1st semester) / Integrated Language Course II (2nd semester)

This two-semester course is designed not only to give students the opportunity to consolidate and extend their knowledge of the English language in general but also to introduce them to the most important vocabulary in the field of Business English. Students will also be given a chance to improve their reading and listening skills as well as to discuss the topics covered during the course.

Basic Communication Skills I (3rd semester)

The first aim of this course is to give students the opportunity to improve their receptive language skills (listening and reading comprehension) with the help of authentic materials. At the same time students will be encouraged to enlarge their vocabulary by focusing on a number of specific topics and vocabulary fields. The target vocabulary will first of all be introduced in context before students have a chance to encounter some of this vocabulary again in carefully chosen texts and to use it themselves during in-class discussions.

Furthermore, we will review a number of grammatical and lexical problem areas in English which cause difficulty and frequently lead to mistakes. Students will be expected to identify, correct and explain typical errors that Germans still make at university level.

Please pick up the relevant materials from the copy shop (Kopiersysteme Ewald Priebe, Segerothstr. 81) shortly before the semester begins.

Basic Communication Skills II (4th semester)

The first aim of this course is to give students the opportunity to improve their receptive language skills (listening and reading comprehension) with the help of authentic materials. At the same time students will be encouraged to enlarge their vocabulary by focusing on a number of specific topics and vocabulary fields. The target vocabulary will first of all be introduced in context before students have a chance to encounter some of this vocabulary again in carefully chosen texts and to use it themselves during in-class discussions.

Furthermore, we will review a number of grammatical and lexical problem areas in English which cause difficulty and frequently lead to mistakes. Students will be expected to identify, correct and explain typical errors that Germans still make at university level.

Please pick up the relevant materials from the copy shop (Kopiersysteme Ewald Priebe, Segerothstr. 81) shortly before the semester begins.

Advanced Communication Skills I (5th semester)

The primary aim of this course is to improve students’ written English in a variety of different business contexts (e.g. business letters, CVs, commercial translations), but this cannot be achieved without including the other language skills wherever relevant, i.e. reading (model texts, information sheets) as well as speaking and listening (group discussion, face-to-face interviews).

A good command of the written language is often considered to be the most difficult skill to acquire in a foreign language: it requires time and effort, and, unlike the spoken language, one has to pay more attention to detail (grammatical accuracy, lexical appropriateness, correct spelling and suitable punctuation). Different types of text also require different styles of writing (informal emails v. formal business letters).

Please pick up the relevant materials from the copy shop (Kopiersysteme Ewald Priebe, Segerothstr. 81) shortly before the semester begins.

Advanced Communication Skills II (6th semester)

In this course students will be given the opportunity to improve their oral language skills by participating in in-class debates on a wide variety of controversial issues. In so doing, students will be able to develop their public speaking skills as well as hone their powers of persuasion by arguing for or against motions which they may not necessarily support or have strong views about themselves. Students will be expected to take an active part in all debates, either as speakers in at least two debates or as members of the audience in the open discussions towards the end of each debate.

In addition, we will continue our review of problem areas in English which frequently cause difficulty to German learners and therefore lead to mistakes. As in Basic Communication Skills II, students will be expected to identify, correct and explain typical errors that Germans still make at university level in the area of grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling.

Please pick up the relevant materials from the copy shop (Kopiersysteme Ewald Priebe, Segerothstr. 81) shortly before the semester begins.