Communication Skills for Master Students of Applied Mathematics

Objectives:

This module includes

I. Academic Standards, Writing and Presentations (in English) as well as

II. Basic German (in German).

I.  Upon successfully completing this module, students will be able to identify and describe in English key conventions and standards of academic/scholarly work and university correspondence/campus communication at a German university in general and within their course of studies in particular. They will be capable of constructively applying the acquired skills in their everyday life as a student.

II. Successful completion of this module will further provide students with the necessary skills to communicate effectively in German on an A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as well as to recognize and position intercultural differences. By means of these skills and insights, students are then better able to successfully navigate everyday situations and communication in their German surroundings.

Contents:

I.       Academic Standards, Writing and Presentations (2 contact hours per week)

In this (English-language) part of the module the following topics are introduced, discussed and reflected upon using practical examples:

·         structures within German universities

·         oral and written communication/correspondence at German universities (standards and conventions)

·         academic integrity and plagiarism

·         academic writing: register and style as well as structuring, formatting and citations/referencing

·         preparing and delivering presentations

Students apply their newly acquired skills within their individual context.

II.      Basic German (4 contact hours per week)

Basic German vocabulary, key expressions and essential grammatical structures are taught inductively and used in a variety of exercises in reading, speaking and writing. Using the target language, students learn how to

·         get to know and introduce each other

·         discuss times and quantities

·         spell words

·         talk about languages/ family/ jobs/ travel

·         get around on foot, by car or public transport

·         read and compose short messages

Students talk about and analyse experiences with their German surroundings and develop an understanding and classification thereof, finding similarities to their own sociocultural backgrounds. Among others, the following topics will be discussed:

·         German holidays

·         food and eating in Germany

·         travelling Germany (Mittweida – Saxony – Germany – Europe)

·         interpersonal communication/ networking in Germany