Department of German and Dutch
GERMAN COURSE INFORMATION For full information about DUTCH courses and staff please CLICK HERE
Paper GE B1
Use of German
This paper consists of two sections, and the examination lasts three hours.- Section A: (counting for 80% of this paper). Exercises based on a text in German, aimed at testing both comprehension and ability to express yourself correctly and idiomatically in German.
- Section B: (counting for 20% of this paper). Some sentences to be translated from English into German, designed to test specific points of grammar.
Teaching
All Use of German teachers are native speakers of German. Weekly Use of German classes will be based on a textbook: : Carol Fehringer, German Grammar in Context, (2002). Their aim is to help you to work systematically towards a secure knowledge of aspects of the German language which are essential to clear communication. Given the nature of the German language, you must expect there to be a strong emphasis on grammatical accuracy in the teaching of Use of German, but the work you are set for classes, coupled with the work you do for College language supervisions, is also designed to help you extend your expressive vocabulary and develop your sense of the right phrase for the right occasion. Since your success in the Use of German examination will depend on the efforts you make in your own study time as well as on the teaching provided by the Department and your College, you may find it helpful to bear in mind the advice set out below under the three headings grammar and syntax, vocabulary and idiom, and style and register.Grammar and syntax
You should pay particular attention to the following areas:- correct word order in both main and subordinate clauses; adjective endings, both singular and plural, and in all forms (strong/mixed/weak)
- correct gender and plural forms of nouns in common use
- correct forms of verbs in common use, especially strong and reflexive verbs
- correct use of cases with these verbs
- correct choice of tense, including use of the subjunctive
- correct and appropriate use of passive constructions, and alternatives to the passive
- spelling and punctuation, including the current German spelling reform.
Vocabulary and idiom
The texts in the course textbook, German Grammar in Context, will be linked thematically to systematic vocabulary work in S. Fagan, Using German Vocabulary, (2004). During the first year, you will work on Level 1 of the vocabulary in this book which is set out in themes. (You will work through Levels 2 and 3 in years 2, 3 and 4 of your course). You are encouraged to make full use of this for the purpose of systematic learning, but also to be alert to the way that words and phrases are used in the context of the texts you work on, and to explore the range of meanings associated with particular words by consulting the dictionaries available in the Faculty and College libraries. Further advice on dictionaries and reference books is given here.Style and register
In addition to acquiring new vocabulary, you will also need to develop a sense of how native speakers express ideas for particular purposes. This is where your College language supervisor can be especially helpful. By combining preparation for the oral examination (which is likely to include work with videos) with work related to your Use of German classes, your College language supervisions will help you to become aware of the appropriateness of particular turns of phrase to particular situations. Further advice on access to newspapers, satellite TV, and websites is given here. For the overall structure of Part 1A of the post A-level German course, see this page.
