German 106

Guidelines for Speaking Activity

 

You will either speak about traveling to Switzerland (die Schweiz) (to be presented during the middle part of the semester) or about our reading Amerika gibt es nicht by the Swiss author, Peter Bichsel (to be presented during the last few days of the semester.) This activity counts as 10% of your semester grade.

 

Both activities will take the form of a dialog with a partner. 

·         Look at Deutsch heute reference pages (R-15) for supplementary word sets, and R-23 for supplementary expressions.  Prepare some natural expressions that might be appropriate.

·         In addition to a greeting and a closing, you will need to include at least 6 substantial utterances. Be sure that the amount of text for each participant is about equal.

·         Use plenty of new vocabulary.

·         It is important to practice your conversations with your partner ahead of time throughout, not just shortly before the scheduled activity.

·         You will not be allowed to use any texts or notes.

 

 

1.    For Switzerland, come to class supplied with pictures and brochures, and be prepared to have a lively exchange with a classmate about your travel plans. Discuss how to prepare for the trip, and what there is to see and do. Be prepared to discuss specifics on how you will travel and when, as well as where you would like to stay. Your discussion should includ, information about the current weather conditions, prices, and any other up-to-date practical information that you feel is interesting.

2.     For Amerika gibt es nicht, you will talk about the events in the reading, voice your opinion, share your reaction on how you like the plot and the characters. Provide handouts or a transparency of a flowchart outlining what has happened so far (auf Deutsch!).

 

Your classmates will fill out peer feedback forms for you while you and your partner speak.

Content and presentation both count in your grade.  All information must be up to date and accurate.  Prices, dates and place names must be in correct German.
Grammar, vocabulary, intonation and pronunciation must be correct. It is important to practice your presentation orally ahead of time. Your classmates will provide you with peer feedback.  A checklist to help you with your preparation is provided.

Click here for  websites that can help you find up-to-date cultural information on your topic.

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This is an example of a peer feedback form. Your instructor may use a slightly different one.

 Peer Feedback for Dialogs 

      overall effort was adequate                                                                    agree/disagree 

      information was meaningful                                                                   agree/disagree 

      I could understand almost everything                                                    agree/disagree 

      there was lots of new vocabulary from text, lists, notes                       agree/disagree 

      presenter seemed interested in subject                                               agree/disagree 

      presenter didn’t use notes & maintained eye contact w/ partner         agree/disagree 

 REQUIRED: Additional constructive comments / suggestions: “I heard, saw, noticed, wish….” 

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