Christina Overstreet
255 Dauer Hall
overstre@ufl.edu

Office hours for Fall 08 to be announced

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E-Learning

UF Honors Program

GER 1130 (2387) Discover German I, Fall 2008

Course Description

Little Hall 225 Language Classroom

Final Grade:

Participation and Homework 15%
Quizzes 10%

Roleplay 10%
Unit Tests 30%
Culture Project 10%
Final 25% (Written and Oral)

I am providing you with an overview of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the "can-do statements" used by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

We will approach the online course materials for Discover German with the "can-do" statements in mind.  The objective of this this course is to provide the data (spoken and written samples), the information about the German language and culture, and opportunity for practice in order to help you use the language for specific “real-life’ tasks.  

The following points focus primarily on the organization of the course.

1. Participation and Homework: This an intensive German language course, not a distance learning course! The online material is designed to empower you to do much of the work on your own and at your own speed (see exercises!) Grammar pages are written in English and mostly self-explanatory. It is important to read the grammar pages before class. However, knowing the grammar rules does not mean we can actually use the language. When we meet face-to-face:) we want to spend as much time as possible speaking German. It is imperative that you come to class every time we meet to interact with me and your fellow learners. The discussion board serves as a springboard for conversation. Check it daily and respond to my postings. Your participation grade will include your oral performance in class as well as your postings.  Look on your Course Calendar for unit tests and homework assignments. You are only responsible for assignments that are on the calendar. Be sure to click on the heading to open the entire assignment. If an assignment is posted on August 27th, it is due that day (not on the next day, August 28th). Homework assignments may be in oral or written form. Please, send in your homework assignments each day in time for me to read them, listen to them, grade them and give you feedback.

2. Quizzes and Role Playing: We will frequently have quizzes on grammar items and/or vocabulary. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. The key is to work consistently. Poor performance on quizzes is usually an indication that you need to spend more time studying grammar and/or vocabulary. Quizzes cannot be made up. Do not miss many of them if you are interested in getting an excellent grade! You will also write and perform a number of short skits with one or more partners. We will record you and by the end of the semester you can see how much you have learned! Lots of fun!

3. There will be four unit tests. Click on the Course Calendar for information about when we will be covering each unit. Please note that this schedule may change if we need to spend more time with one unit and less with another. The provisory dates of the unit tests are indicated. Unit tests will focus mostly on grammar, but they will also cover some aspects of the cultural topics dealt with in each unit. You can make up a unit test if you miss class due to serious illness or a death in the family.

4. Culture Project: Most of you are 'digital natives' and you are already using various technologies to enhance your daily lives, right? Everyone will create a web site (most likely with Google Pages) to post biographical information, your movies, and the culture project. We will work in groups to ensure that even the least technologically gifted will enjoy the task. During the last week of the semester, every student will give a short (5-8 minutes) presentation on a cultural topic that she or he finds particularly interesting from one of the areas we are covering in class. Add your culture pages to your bio-homepage. While you are required to use German on your biographical page, you may speak English and use English language sites when you give your culture report.

5. The final exam consits of two parts and is comprehensive. The written part will test how well you have learned and are able to apply the grammatical concepts. The oral final will take place in my office. Each student has the opportunity to talk about her/his life.

6. Technology: We will work in the e-learning system this university provides. You will use Audacity to create sound files and upload them as attachments. For recording skits we use digital cameras that have the capacity to make short movies. Remember, although we are using technology, you are not graded on your technological skills but rather on your knowledge of the German language and on using the language in meaningful contexts. If you have no experience in studying a foreign language and/or you struggle with any technological aspect of this course, please come and talk to me.
I look forward to meeting you! Dr. O.

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