School of Languages

Department of German Language

Study Plan

Thesis Track

Master of Arts Program in

German as a Foreign Language

(M.A. DaF)

2015/16

Master of Arts Program in German as a Foreign Language

Programme aims

The aim of the M.A. program German as a Foreign Language is to qualify teachers to teach German as a Foreign Language at the GJU and other universities in North Africa/Middle East, which offer study programes related to German language and culture or German language courses.

Students will obtain proficiency in the fields of scientific methods and methodology in foreign language training, linguistics, cultural studies, German for special purposes, literature and literature methodology and media and media methodology. They will be able to apply research techniques and scientific writing and, furthermore, will master German at an advanced language level which is certified by an external TestDaF level 16 minimum exam.

The program offers two tracks: The Non-Thesis Track and the Thesis Track.

The focus of the programme is on its professional application. . For that reason it offers three internships and pursues applied teaching. In particular, the practical on-the-job-training (visiting and observing lessons as well as practical training) in the German Department at the GJU, in the B.A. study programs and other institutions expose students to their future work at an early stage. However, students wishing to follow an academic research career in foreign language education and who are planning to pursue postgraduate studies (PhD) will choose the Thesis Track which requires the writing of a 60-80 pages research thesis.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the course in detail are:

Program graduates are qualified German language teachers with a comprehensive understanding of didactics and methodology in foreign language teaching.

They will have a profound knowledge of German as a scientific language and be confident researchers.

They will be able to teach German for special purposes with a focus on engineering and natural sciences.

They have obtained substantial teaching practice and knowledge in classroom management.

Program graduates will be able to reflect and identify aims and methods of the study field German as a Foreign Language as well as DaF-related scientific fields (e.g. linguistics, culture studies, media methodology).

They will possess a solid and profound knowledge of German cultural studies and German-speaking countries and will be able to illustrate and teach their knowledge to students and pupils of German language in the Near and Middle East and Northern Africa.

They will be able to recognize, understand, interpret, explain and analyse various teaching and learning problems.

Program graduates will be able to explain and teach German language and culture and convey their knowledge in comparison and contrast to other languages and learning traditions. Furthermore, they will be able to analyse and reflect their own learning traditions.

They will have developed a high level of cultural competence and will be able to analyse cultural patterns of interpretation.

Program graduates will also have developed strong qualifications to work independently in the academic-scientific research sector, as they will have internalised the different scientific methods and practical application.

Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge and deepen it during their own professional postgraduate experience and further education programs.

Employment and Career Prospects

Graduates of the M.A. program German as a Foreign Language are qualified to work as German language teachers in several institutions in the MENA region, such as (German) universities, in particular at the GJU, schools resp. German schools abroad, Goethe Institutes or private language schools. Furthermore, they can work in German embassies, non- governmental organizations, foundations and companies; they can be employed as cultural mediators in the field of cultural policy, or in the field of media and publishing. Another option for graduates is to pursue postgraduate research in DaF or related subjects and obtaining a PhD.

Admission

Students of the MA DaF express their choice of study track during the admission process.

According to article (10) of the Regulations for Granting the Master's Degree at the German Jordanian University, issued in accordance with article (9) of the Higher Studies Bylaw at the German-Jordanian University No. (57) for the year 2008, a student is admitted into the program after fulfilling the following requirements:

Bachelor's or equal academic degree in German language, literature or cultural studies with at least a rank of “good” from a recognized university, not older than 6 years

ORBachelor's or equal academic degree in the educational field, in translation and interpretation science (compulsory language: German) or in any other specific field of interest for the German-Jordanian University

German language skills at an intermediate level (B2), to be verified through the official German language exams TestDaF (level 12) or OnDaF (B2) or by the certificate B2 of the Goethe Institute. These certificates should not be older than 1 year. Documents certifying only the attendance at German language courses (e.g. German summer schools) are to be accepted only in the case that students are not able to prove their German language skills in the way mentioned above (e.g. because of the critical political situation in the home country).

German language skills at an intermediate level (B2+), to be verified through the official German language exam TestDaF (minimum level 14) before leaving to Germany in the 3rd semester, German language skills at an advanced intermediate level (C1), to be verified through the official German language exam TestDaF (minimum level 16) as a requirement for graduation

to be interested in German language and culture and in teaching German language and culture, to be demonstrated in the selection process

other criteria upon the suggestion of the Department Council and a recommendation from the Council of Graduate Studies and a Deans Council decision, such as academic behaviour

The representatives of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the Dean of the School of Languages will take care of all official procedures concerning applicants.

Prerequisites

Students, who start their studies at an intermediate level (B2), have to obtain TestDaF total of 14 before their semester in Germany and complete TDN 4 (equivalent to C1) before graduating. Students who have need reached this level are required to take the below listed prerequisites.

Students with German language skills level C1, documented through the official German language exam TestDaF with a minimum of level TDN 4 in the competences reading, listening, writing & oral communication, are released from taking the Prerequisites.

Other prerequisites may be assigned according to requirements.

Prerequisites (4 Credit hours) [1]

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Seminar / Lab / Prerequisite
GLS 501 / Academic German Intensive Course / 0 / - / (9) / TestDaF 3 or OnDaF B2
GLS 502 / Academic German II (Intermediate, TestDaF-preparation) / 1 / - / (9) / GLS 501
GLS 503 / Academic German III (Advanced,
TestDaF-Training) / 3 / - / (9) / GLS 502
Total / 4

Curriculum

The numbering system is structured as follows (from left to right):

  1. Alpha digits – MaDaF: MA German as a Foreign Language; DaF: BA German
  2. Level digit – 7: Master level; 5: Bachelor level
  3. Subject area digits:

0 = German for Academic and Special Purposes

1 = Foreign Language Acquisition and Teaching

2 = Linguistics

3 = Cultural Studies

4 = Literature

5 = Classroom Management

7 = Electives

8 = Electives

9 = Thesis

Level (7: Master level)

MaDaF 701Identifying number within area

Subject area (0:German for Academic and Special Purposes)

Study Plan Thesis Track

Classification / Credit Hours
Compulsory Requirement / 26
Elective Requirement / 5
Master Thesis / 9
Total / 40
  1. Compulsory Requirements (26 Credit hours)

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Semi-nar / Lab / Prere-quisite
German for Academic and Special Purposes / MaDaF 701 / German as a scientific language / 2 / 4 / - / -
MaDaF 702 / Introduction into scientific working techniques / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 703 / German for special purposes (Engineering and Natural Sciences) / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 704 / Teaching German for academic and special purposes / 1 / 2 / - / -
Foreign Language Acquisition and Teaching / MaDaF 711 / Foundations in foreign language acquisition / 3 / 6 / - / -
MaDaF 712 / German language teaching approaches / 3 / 6 / - / -
Linguistics / MaDaF 721 / Learning, reflecting and teaching grammar, pronunciation & oral proficiency / 2 / 4 / - / -
MaDaF 722 / Text and words in German language teaching / 2 / 4 / - / -
MaDaF 723 / Pragmatics in contrastive linguistics (for teaching German to Arabic speaking learners) / 2 / 4 / - / -
Cultural Studies / MaDaF 731 / Cultural studies I / 2 / 4 / - / -
MaDaF 732 / Cultural studies II / 2 / 4 / - / -
Literature / MaDaF 741 / German literature in the foreign language classroom / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 742 / Literary studies and foreign language teaching / 1 / 2 / - / -
Classroom Management / MaDaF 751 / Instructional design and teaching practice I - / 1 / 1 / 2 / -
MaDaF 752 / Instructional design and teaching practice II / 1 / 1 / 2 / -
MaDaF 753 / Instructional design and teaching practice III / 1 / 1 / 2 / -
Total / 26
  1. Elective Requirements (5 Credit hours) to be chosen from course offers at the German University

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Semi-nar / Lab / Prere-quisite
MaDaF 771
MaDaF 772
MaDaF 773
MaDaF 774 / Special Focus: Linguistics I
Special Focus: Didactics/Methodology I
Special Focus: Cultural studies I
Special Focus: Literature I / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 775
MaDaF 776
MaDaF 777
MaDaF 778 / Special Focus: Linguistics II
Special Focus: Didactics/Methodology II
Special Focus: Cultural studies II
Special Focus: Literature II / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 779
MaDaF 780
MaDaF 781
MaDaF 782
MaDAF 783 / Special Focus: Linguistics III
Special Focus: Didactics/Methodology III
Special Focus: Cultural studies III
Special Focus: Literature III
Special Focus: Other relevant field / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 784 / Elective requirement: Strategies in academic research / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 785 / Elective requirement: German language training (Course or Tandem-Learning) / 1 / - / 2 / -
Total / 5
  1. Master Thesis Requirement (9 Credit hours)

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Seminar / Coll. / Prerequisite
MaDaF 799 / Master Thesis – German as a Foreign Language / 9 / 1 / MaDaF 702
Total / 9

Study Plan Guide for the Master of Arts in German as a Foreign Language (Deutsch als Fremdsprache / DaF)

First Year
First Term
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Seminar / Lab / Prerequisite
MaDaF 701 / German as a scientific language / 2 / 4 / - / -
a)Linguistic structures in scientific communication
b)Oral forms of knowledge presentation
MaDaF 702 / Introduction into scientific working techniques / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 711 / Foundations in foreign language acquisition / 3 / 6 / - / -
a)Studies in foreign language acquisition
b)Media methodology
c)Developing foreign language subcompetencies (e.g. listening and reading comprehension, speaking, writing, mediating)
MaDaF 721 / Learning, reflecting and teaching grammar, pronunciation & oral proficiency / 2 / 4 / - / -
a)Grammar
b)Pronunciation & oral proficiency
MaDaF 731 / Cultural Studies I / 2 / 4 / - / -
a)Cultural studies – foundations
b)Research in cultural studies
MaDaF 741 / German literature in the foreign language classroom / 1 / 2 / - / -
Total / 11
Second Term
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Seminar / Lab / Prerequisite
MaDaF 703 / German for special purposes (Engineering and Natural Sciences) / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 712 / German language teaching approaches / 3 / 6 / - / -
a)Empirical study and evaluation of teaching
b)Teaching materials (development and analysis)
c)Language assessment and evaluation
MaDaF 722 / Text and words in German language teaching / 2 / 4 / - / -
a)Applied text linguistics
b)Lexical-semantics and teaching vocabulary
MaDaF 732 / Cultural Studies II / 2 / 4 / - / -
a)Cultural studies – theoretical approaches
b)Culture studies – practical applications
MaDaF 751 / Instructional design and teaching practice I: / 1 / 1 / 2 / -
Total / 9
Second Year
First Term (Semester in Germany)
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Seminar / Lab / Prerequisite
MaDaF 752 / Instructional design and teaching Practice II / 1 / 1 / 2 / -
MaDaF 771
MaDaF 772
MaDaF 773
MaDaF 774 / Special Focus: Linguistics I
Special Focus: Didactics/Methodology I
Special Focus: Cultural studies I
Special Focus: Literature I / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 775
MaDaF 776
MaDaF 777
MaDaF 778 / Special Focus: Linguistics II
Special Focus: Didactics/Methodology II
Special Focus: Cultural studies II
Special Focus: Literature II / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 779
MaDaF 780
MaDaF 781
MaDaF 782
MaDaF 783 / Special Focus: Linguistics III
Special Focus: Didactics/Methodology III
Special Focus: Cultural studies III
Special Focus: Literature III
Special Focus: Other relevant field / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 784 / Elective requirement: Strategies in academic research / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 785 / Elective requirement: German language training (Course or Tandem) / 1 / 2 / -
MaDaF 799A / Master Thesis – Design / 3 / - / - / MaDaF 702
Total / 9
Second Term
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Seminar / Lab/ Coll. / Prerequisite
MaDaF 704 / Teaching German for academic and special purposes / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 723 / Pragmatics in contrastive linguistics (for teaching German to Arabic speaking learners) / 2 / 4 / - / -
a)Contrastive linguistics
b)Pragmatics
MaDaF 742 / Literary studies and foreign language teaching / 1 / 2 / - / -
MaDaF 753 / Instructional design and teaching practice III - / 1 / 1 / 2 / -
MaDaF 799B / Thesis Track: Master Thesis / 6 / - / 1 / MaDaF 702
Total / 11

Course Descriptions

  1. Prerequisites

GLS 501Academic German Intensive Course

Course Content:

The course builds upon its prerequisites, bringing the student from the Level B2 to B2+. The course aims to expand and deepen the student's language abilities in the context of higher education. All four communicative competencies are given equal weight.
Competencies:

Listening + Listening/Reading Comprehension
Students can understand complex, substantial, authentic discourse concerning abstract subjects as well as various procedures in higher education (e.g. lectures, discussions during office hours, oral examinations) both orally and orally/in writing, provided that a standard variety of German is spoken. Students can formulate a general understanding of a passage, as well as extract the main ideas and deduce implicit statements. They can then organize this information in thematic contexts while incorporating concrete communicative functions. For this purpose the student will make careful use of internal information (from the passage) and external knowledge and will employ an extended repertoire of listening strategies (global selective, detailed, analytical, in addition to critical/evaluative listening + listening/reading comprehension).
Speaking
Students can actively participate in conversations on a wide variety of technical, general, and personal topics at the B2+ Level. In their speech they will utilize a wide spectrum of speaking techniques to accurately express feelings, thoughts, and positions and to appropriately respond to speech from the conversation partner.
Students can assume a variety of roles in speech situations relevant to university, research, and formal contexts (e.g. moderation in a scientific discussion, interviewer in a research project, test/exam contexts). Moreover they can use varying communication strategies. This includes argumentative strategies such as the formulation of theses and supporting arguments, as well as proper reaction to objections, thoughts, and counter proposals. It also includes strategies for controlled conduct in speech such as the selection of a proper register, adjustments based on the conversation partner, and the anticipation and clarification of misunderstandings.
Furthermore students can converse about a wide range of technical and general topics as well as topics of personal interest with coherence, structure, and speech as appropriate to the situation. They can emphasize an issue and/or defend their own position in their speeches and presentations. They are familiar with basic (written) discourse functions and their linguistic realization (e.g. negotiation, definition, description, explanation, argumentation, assessment, taking a position) in addition to techniques for planning, executing, and evaluating their own oral texts.
Students are able to orally summarize long texts as well as texts with complicated subject matter or linguistic structure. They can discuss subject matter, conduct, and problem areas and take justified positions. Finally, they will acquire speech and presentation techniques, as well as media-support techniques, by way of role-play, simulation, and other methods.
Reading Comprehension

Students can understand complex, substantial, authentic texts (e.g. reference works, excerpts from technical books or journals, text analysis, presentation of research results). They can construct a general understanding of a text and extract main passages as well as detailed information and implicit formulations. This includes deducing the position and intention of the author. Students can then classy this information according to its proper thematic context while incorporating concrete communicative functions of the text. For this purpose the students will draw on both internal information from within the text as well as outside knowledge. They will also use an extended repertoire of reading strategies (global, selective, detailed, and analytical, in addition to critical/evaluative reading). They can identify and document relevant passages (summarizing, excerpting, citing).
Writing
Students can compose clearly structured, cohesive texts on a wide variety of technical and general topics as well as topics of personal interest. They are able to consider specific features of text varieties and formulate their text as is appropriate for their authorial intent, fitting to the situation, and specific to the audience while drawing on a wide spectrum of language tools. They are familiar with basic discourse functions in written language as well as their linguistic realization (e.g. negotiation, definition, description, explanation, argumentation, assessment, taking a position). They are familiar with language tools and strategies for text formation (such as text structure, cohesion, guiding the reader, focus) as well as planning techniques, editing, and evaluation of text production. For this purpose they will possess the ability to locate passages that are necessary for the completion of specific writing assignments, summarize these passages, and integrate them into their own text. In addition they can make use of creative writing forms in academic contexts (e.g. changing the narrative perspective or the type of text, supplementing or continuing a given text, filling in blanks, writing according to given models for types of texts).
Aside from the four skills, students will acquire competence in (foreign) language learning on one's own. This includes the use of traditional and modern tools/media for (foreign) language learning as well as the procurement of information (e.g. monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, encyclopedias, internet, and multimedia programs). They can purposefully and independently take advantage of extracurricular opportunities for (foreign) language learning (e.g. receiving German news in newspapers, TV, and internet; attending German film showings). Furthermore they are able to observe and reflect on their own (foreign) language learning behaviors and their personal language state (e.g. through keeping a language portfolio, running self-evaluation processes, developing of the interim language). They consistently and effectively fix common errors. Students can work on more complicated assignments and long-term (research) projects (e.g. preparation of topics and dissertations) and evaluate the results of the work either individually or cooperatively. They can properly document the results of their work (e.g. using excerpts/quotes, tables, and diagrams) and present them as appropriate for a given audience.