TY-402 Didactics of German, one subject only

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Education

Teaching language

German/Norwegian

Prerequisites

TY-131

Course contents

The course is a part of the 1-year programme in educational theory and practice which consists of didactics in one or two school subjects, pedagogy and practice.

The course is subdivided into three main areas:
- The school's position in society and the subject's place in education
- Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher
- Teaching and learning

The position of education in society and the subject's place in education deals with the distinctiveness of the subject of German, its development and its legitimization as a school subject. It also deals with the position of the German language in an international context. The work with the National Curriculum Regulations for secondary school and reflections on didactical problems will also be focused.

Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher examines the role of the German teacher, and how knowledge of youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' background and abilities influence the teacher's work. Reflection on the teacher's German language proficiency and the teacher as a role model will also be emphasized.

Teaching and learning treats didactic theories, work methods and learning strategies, as well as printed and digital teaching materials that are suited for the teaching of German at level 11-13. The main focus will be on teaching basic German language proficiency and interdisciplinary basic skills. The students will be acquainted with various teaching materials, including digital tools, and there will be focus on practical rehearsal in the form of planning, conducting, adapting and assessing German teaching at level 11-13.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Upon completion of the course students shall have acquired

• Knowledge of the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages, Level 11-13, and how it is adapted to German

• Knowledge about German didactics and didactical theories aimed at level 11-13

• Knowledge about various learning strategies and work methods adapted to German

• Knowledge about basic language proficiency in German

• Knowledge about the multicultural school and the possibilities and challenges it represents for teaching German

• Have advanced knowledge about method

Skills
Upon completion of the course students shall

• Be able to apply knowledge about the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages and the characteristics of German in order to promote good learning processes at level 11-13

• Be able to apply knowledge about youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' backgrounds, and the ability to facilitate learning in German at level 11-13

• Be able to apply language proficiency in German in a way that promotes good topical and social learning processes

• Be able to plan, implement, adapt and evaluate the teaching of German at level 11-13

• Be able to analyze the National Curriculum and produce clear and relevant learning aims at level 11-13

• Be able to evaluate and use different teaching materials, use various work methods and learning strategies aimed at level 11-13

• Be able to navigate in research literature and adapt relevant theory in a critical and reflected way in his/her own R&D work

• Be able to carry out independent analyses of collected data material

General competence
Upon completion of the course students shall

• Be able to reflect on and discuss didactical problems in general and in German in particular

• Be able to present didactical problems that are relevant for German as a subject

• Have a reflected view on his/her own digital competence and how this can be further developed

• Be able to further develop his/her own topical and didactical competence and contribute to collaboration on teaching and school development

• Have a professional attitude and be able to reflect critically on topical, ethical and political questions related to German as a subject

• Have a concious relation to ethical problems related to research, including protection of personal information, source criticism and source reference

Teaching methods

The teaching will be characterized by a variety of work methods in the form of lectures, conversation, the use of digital aids, school visits, practice and supervision. The students will also be responsible for planning and implementing teaching for fellow-students, based on varied work methods.

Apart from the teaching itself, students will be expected to work with various tasks, individually and in groups. These activities will be important for the student's learning and development. The students' actual participation in practical tasks is a necessary part of the teaching. Mandatory attendance will then be required.

The student will during the semester implement his/her own planned research project. This implies collecting data related to the practice, and processing and analyzing the data in the light of relevant theory. Instructions for the presentation of the project will be described separately. The student shall present the results in a structured and scientific way in a written assignment. The student shall present an individual list of literature related to the project.

The students will have six weeks of practice in secondary school.

The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.

Admission for external candidates

No

Assessment methods and criteria

Term paper (about 3500 words), counts 50%
Written assignment, counts 50%
For the grade to be valid, both examinations must be assessed as a pass.
Graded assessment

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
TY-111 – Didactics of German in the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, one subject only	15
TY-401 – Didactics of German	7.5
TY-110 – Didactics of German in the Postgraduate Certificate in Education	7.5
TY-400 – Didactics of German, part 2 (level 8-13)	7.5
TY-403 – Specialization assignment for one-subject students – German	7.5