The course will enable you to become proficient in both the written and spoken language. The study of German society and culture will provide the context for your language study.
Main features of the course:
- A detailed and in-depth study of spoken and written German
- Practical applications of German language
- Examination of aspects of German society and culture
- Swiss and Austrian Studies
- Opportunities to study specific areas of interest
- Modules in European literature
- Modules in European cinema
- Placements abroad
- Study as a single subject or combined with a wide range of other subjects
Why study German at Chester?
The German courses will enable students to achieve their full potential in the language. Programme staff are dedicated to effective teaching and learning, using a range of methods.
You will be taught in a friendly, lively department in a pleasant learning environment, offering a high level of student support and every opportunity to develop your language skills.
The department has two digital language laboratories, multimedia facilities and video/satellite TV viewing rooms.
Features:
The German programmes involve a variety of learning approaches, making extensive use of audio-visual media and computer-assisted learning as well as written sources.
Language classes are in workshop mode and conducted mainly in German, and there is open access to the language facilities. You will have opportunities to study specific areas of personal interest.
One of the most distinctive features of the courses is the integration of two different placements abroad.
These placements will give you vital, first-hand experience of working or studying abroad and will transform your command of German.
Level 4 (Year 1)
The emphasis, in the core language module, is on consolidating and developing your language skills and on extending your knowledge of aspects of contemporary Germany. Single Honours students have another core module which examines parts of the German-speaking world outside Germany.
There are optional modules in European literature, cinema and politics. Or you can take an introductory module in Spanish.
Core Modules
- Introduction to Swiss and Austrian Studies (Single Honours only)
Option Modules
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Introduction to European Studies
- Introduction to Literature in translation
- Introduction to Spanish
Level 5 (Year 2)
The core language module is again related to the continuing development of your language skills in the context of the study of important aspects of contemporary Germany. You will spend some time looking at the practicalities of living and working in Germany, in preparation for the placement(s) abroad.
Single Honours students will write an extended essay, and again there are modules with a pan-European focus. Towards the end of their second year, all students have the opportunity to undertake a study placement abroad or a work-based learning placement abroad or in the UK.
Core Modules
- Contemporary Germany
- Extended Essay (Single Honours only)
Option Modules
- Modern European Cinema
- European Politics and Culture
- Further Literature in translation
- European Study Placement (in Germany)
- Languages Work Placement (in Germany)
- Work-based learning (in UK)
- Intercultural Awareness and Ethnography
One-year placements abroad
Single Honours students and those taking German as an equal or major subject on the combined honours programme will spend the third year of their four-year course on a placement in Germany or another German-speaking country. This will be as a student at one of our partner universities, such as Bayreuth or Magdeburg or as an English language assistant in a school. Alternatively you may seek a work placement.
Level 6 (Year 3)
The focus in the final year is on high-level language skills. Following your placements abroad, you will demonstrate the linguistic proficiency you have acquired thanks to your first-hand experience of living in a German-speaking environment.
You will continue the study of contemporary Germany to provide you with further insight into German society and culture. Dissertation and Special Study modules enable you to research and write about a specific area of interest, and there are modules which will allow you to develop the specialised skill of translation.
Core Modules:
- Translation Techniques and Application
- German Language and Society
Option Modules:
- Dissertation (core for Single Honours)
- Business German
- Extended Translation from German
- Special Study
- Summary and Synthesis
- German Current Affairs and Media
- Germany in Europe
- Germany in Contemporary German Literature
- Germany in the Cinema
- Fiction as Film in Europe
Assessment is varied and spread across each academic year. In the course of the programme you will be assessed via:
- Written coursework assignments, such as essays and translations
- Language portfolio
- Presentations, debates and other oral assessments in German
- Presentations in English
- In-class tests based on recorded or written sources
- End of module exams
- Dissertation, extended essay, extended translation
- Placement abroad projects and learning logs
There will be regular opportunities for formative assessment with feedback on your work.
Career Opportunities
In the global employment market, a qualification in German will enhance your ability to look beyond Britain for all or part of your career. Employers in this country are becoming more and more aware of the value of staff who can use languages and are likely to be looking for more graduate linguists.
More than half of UK companies say that they would be more likely to hire a candidate with language skills than one without and that they pay bilingual employees up to 20% more.
You may wish to add a further qualification to your first degree, such as the MA in European Languages and Cultures here at Chester. Specialist courses in interpreting and translation or courses in international business, marketing or bilingual secretarial skills can lead to interesting and well-paid employment.
Or you might consider language teaching as a career. The transferable skills acquired during your German course will be an asset whatever your future employment may be.
| UCAS points: |
A minimum of 240 - 280 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent, including a grade C or above in GCE A level German |
| BTEC: |
BTEC National Diploma/Certificate: merit profile plus GCE A Level German |
| Irish/Scottish Highers: |
B in 4 subjects, including German |
| International Baccalaureate: |
26 points, including 4 in German |
| QAA: |
Open College Units or Open University Credits in German |
| OCR: |
OCR National Extended/Diploma: merit profile plus GCE A level German |
| Extra Information: |
The Advanced Diploma: acceptable in combination with GCE A Level German
Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer |
