Course code Valo1036

Credit points 3

Professional German

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation26.04.2011

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developers

author Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Ina Gode

Dr. paed.

author lect.

Oksana Mališeva

Mg. philol.

Course abstract

The study course is aimed at the of development of students’ foreign language (German) knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending, interpreting and evaluating professional information and scientific literature, explaining and comparing processes, participating in discussions, giving presentations in professional and academic environments as well as for communication with foreign students, specialists and academic staff. The focus is on the terminology related to Veterinary Medicine. The German language proficiency level corresponds at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for foreign languages.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding terminology of field.
Skills: students are able to define terms, select professional and scientific information, think critically, explain processes, participate in discussions applying professional terminology, communication skills and academic language skills: in written form - writing essays, business letters, summaries; orally - in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation.
Competence of professional and academic German language in order to apply it creatively in spoken and written communication for student mobility, professional and academic activities in international environment.

Course Content(Calendar)

1.Studies in LLU, studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Creating a glossary of terms for each theme. 2h
2.Animal species. Skills of presentation.2h
3.Vertebrate animals. Animal structure.2h
4.Presentations of students: animal structure and functions.2h
5.Terminology of veterinary medicine – Latin and Greek origin prefixes, their meaning.2h
6.Terminology of veterinary medicine - Latin and Greek origin suffixes, their meaning.2h
7.Mid-term test: terms, reading, writing, listening.2h
8.Animal skeleton.2h
9.System of animal organs.2h
10.Microorganisms. Bacteria, viruses.2h
11.Animal diseases. Viral diseases. Symptoms.2h
12.Animal diseases. Diseases of bacterial origin. Symptoms.2h
13.Animal treatment. Communication with the animal owners.2h
14.Academic essay writing 2h
15.Presentations made by students, lists of professional terms.2h
16.Presentations made by students, lists of professional terms.2h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Formal test with a grade.
It is made up of cumulative assessment.
Successfully written 1 test, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, the glossary of terms). Tests and home works are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Individual work:
1. Reading of the independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 25 000 characters);
2. Prepared PPoint presentation and oral presentation (5-10 minutes) in front of the class;
3. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms, 30 translations, 20 definitions).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment: test (40%) is composed of the grades in tests, assessment during classes and a presentation of the individual work (20 %) + home reading report (40%).

Compulsory reading

1. Eduard von Jan. Tangram aktuell B1/B2, Max Hueber Verlag, 2009. - 152 S.
2. Loeffer Klaus, Gaebel Gotthold. Anatomie und Physiologie der Haustiere, UTB/Ulmer, 2002.- 448 S.
3. Pera Franz, Schniedebach H-P. Medizinischer Wortschatz: Terminologie kompakt, Verlag-Walter de Gruyter, 2007.- 97 S.
4. Neumayer G. Geschäftsbriefe schreiben. Fit für den Job. Eicborn, Frankfurt/Main, 2004. - 96 S.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Der praktische Tierarzt ISSN 0032-681 X
2. Zentralblatt fuer Veterinaermedizin ISSN: 1439-0450

Notes

The course is included in the mandatory part of the VMF study programme “Veterinary medicine”.