Learning objectives
Expected results:
- Knowledge and understanding: students will be able to identify different dimensions of linguistic variation when dealing with both oral and written texts.
- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: students will be able to analyse complex texts on several levels, also with respect to variation dimensions in contemporary German.
- Autonomy of judgment: students must be able to critically discuss their own and others’ interpretations and choices.
- Communication skills: students will acquire the ability to communicate fluently in written and oral German, arguing effectively their positions and using terminology appropriate to the sectoral areas of, among others, sociolinguistics, linguistic variation and didactics.
- Learning skills: by developing the ability to reflect on their own work, students will learn to improve their language skills, also finding new resources autonomously.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the German language (at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.).
Course unit content
The theoretical course, which combines lectures and practical activities, aims at reflecting on different aspects of authentic language use and didactics.
It will introduce sociolinguistic aspects related to German as a pluricentric language and illustrate the position and importance of the German language in Italy. The aim is to provide an overview of today's situation in an attempt to "map" the many new facets for a different learning, teaching and daily use of the language.
Attention will also be given to theoretical and methodological tools for approaching the analysis of German and for language teaching. With the aim of providing a theoretical and practical synthesis of current didactic proposals, in order to respond to the renewal needs of the conceptual framework of the Ministerial school programs, a fluid and dynamic idea of teaching will be conveyed for those who need to prepare for competitive examinations for teaching in the secondary school, or even for those who want to qualify as a linguistic supporter so as to assist pupils from migratory backgrounds in German schools, and in general for the continuous training of teachers of German language and culture.
Non-attending students are requested to contact the teacher during reception hours or by e-mail.
The theoretical course is accompanied by the practical language lessons (lettorato), which will take place throughout the whole academic year.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Moraldo, Sandro M. (Hg.), Stellung und Stellenwert der deutschen Sprache in Italien. Grundlagen und Perspektiven, EDUCatt Università Cattolica, Milano 2021.
Moraldo, Sandro M. / Paumgardhen, Paola / Russo, Eriberto, DaF-/DaZ Unterricht im italienischen Schulsystem. Theorie und Praxis - Didattica del tedesco come lingua straniera e lingua seconda nel sistema scolastico italiano. Teoria e prassi, in „Kritik. Rivista di letteratura e critica culturale”, Mimesis, Sesto San Giovanni (MI) 2023.
Further materials, to be considered an integral part of the bibliography, will be made available on the Elly platform during the course.
Teaching methods
The course will combine lectures and seminar classes, group and individual activities; it will also include the analysis and the discussion of case studies and exercises. The examples proposed in class will help the students to develop a method to be applied through in-depth studies and individual analysis paths.
The theoretical course goes together with practical language lessons (lettorato) held during the whole academic year and aimed at consolidating students’ language skills.
Both the theoretical course and the practical language lessons (lettorato) are taught in German.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam is passed when the learning of the theoretical course and the practical language lessons (lettorato) has been verified.
1) The assessment of the practical language lessons (lettorato) will be based on students’ performance in the four skills based on the descriptors of the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference in a final exam;
2) the assessment of the theoretical course will be based on:
a) a presentation (Referat) to be held during the course;
b) an oral examination (ca. 30 minutes) focused on the contents of the theoretical course.
The lettorato test is mandatory and preliminary to the oral exam of the theoretical course.
The exam is the same for non-attending students; however, instead of holding the presentation (Referat) during the theoretical course, they will have to hold it during the oral exam.
All tests will be in German.
An insufficiency rating is determined by the lack of understanding and of knowledge of the minimum course contents. A sufficient evaluation (18-23 / 30) is determined by the student’s understanding and learning of the minimum and fundamental contents of the course. Middle-range scores (24-27/30) are assigned to the student who proves to have a more than sufficient (24-25/30) or good (26-27/30) level of the evaluation indicators listed above. Moreover, middle range scores are due to acceptable to good levels of competence in applying the knowledge acquired. The highest scores (from 28/30 to 30/30 cum laude) are assigned on the basis of a very good to excellent level in the knowledge of the contents, in the personal processing capacity of the same and in the mastery of specific terminology.
Other information
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