TYS10 German for Economics

• Topics

  TYS10 German for Business is an independent course for students who wish to improve their oral and written communication skills in German, with a particular focus on society and business. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to develop linguistic and cultural competencies relevant to professional contexts in German-speaking countries. The course also covers current topics related to economic and political processes in Germany.

  The course will provide valuable tools for those who wish to work or study in German-speaking countries, or collaborate with German business partners.

  Recommended prior knowledge is level A2 (CEFR). This course is at level B1, which is recommended as a prerequisite for the independent course TYS11 offered in the fall.

• Learning outcome

  Upon completing the course, the student will have acquired the following:

  Knowledge:

  • Recognizes and can use key terminology related to business in German-speaking contexts, in order to express themselves both in writing and orally with some assistance.
  • Distinguishes between formal and informal language, including polite forms of address, and understands when and how to use it in different situations.

  Skills:

  • Writes clear, but simple, professional emails, reports, and other business-related documents in German, with some inaccuracies.
  • Participates in basic discussions and negotiations in German, using appropriate business language, despite occasional inaccuracies and linguistic errors.
  • Delivers simple presentations in German on familiar topics related to business or society, with a coherent structure and clear message, despite occasional mistakes.

  General Competence:

  • Communicates with German-speaking colleagues or business partners on familiar topics, with an understanding of cultural norms and business etiquette, though occasional misunderstandings may arise.
  • Manages simple communication situations in professional interactions by expressing themselves understandably and asking for repetition or clarification when necessary.

• Teaching

  The course is conducted as interactive teaching, combining lectures, group work, writing, and short presentations by the students. There will also be opportunities to discuss challenges related to sustainable development in Germany. Active participation is expected throughout the course.

  The most important teaching materials are posted on Canvas.

• Recommended prerequisites

  Participants should have prior knowledge of German at the A2 level.

  This course is not recommended for native speakers of German.

• Compulsory Activity

  Mandatory course work in TYS10:

  • Two individual written assignments during the course. These assignments will focus on applying the language in relevant professional contexts.
  • One oral presentation : Each student must give an oral presentation in German, presenting a topic related to the course content.

  Both the written and oral components must be assessed as "approved."

• Assessment

  Digital written school exam, 3 hours (50%). 

  Individual oral exam, 20 minutes (50%). 

  Separate grades are given for the written and oral exams. Both parts must be passed in the same semester. In case of a retake, both parts must be retaken.

  The course does not offer assessment in the non-teaching semester (autumn).

• Grading Scale

  A-F

• Literature

  Mandatory literature:

  • Lecture materials uploaded to the learning platform.

  Recommended literature:

  • Reiten, H: Øvelseshefte til tysk grammatikk. Aschehoug, 2015. (Some exercises require knowledge of Norwegian)

• Permitted Support Material

  One bilingual dictionary (Category I)

  All in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4, Permitted support material https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/

  and

  https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/