Modulklausur Language & Use Intermediate

Language & Use Intermediate Modulklausur

Language and Use Intermediate

General information

Language and Use Intermediate is the examination which comes after Language Courses I and II. It is a Modulklausur. That means it tests aspects of language dealt with in both language courses. It is also a proficiency test, not an achievement test. That means it is a test of whether your language has reached a specific level (approximately level C1 of the Common European Framework). The classes are there to help you develop your own independent learning skills, identify any weaknesses and correct them where necessary, and give you practice in the exam tasks.

 

Information about the exam

The exam can be taken once a semester (there is no re-sit/Nachklausur). It is generally held on the first Wednesday after teaching finishes, but this may change due to unforeseen circumstances. No dictionaries are allowed.

 

The exam:

  • is currently 180 minutes long.
  • has text-based vocabulary and grammar questions. The text(s) will be general interest and non-specialist.
  • has other vocabulary exercises which focus on, for example, word building, suffixes and prefixes, synonyms and antonyms.
  • has other grammatical exercises which include, for example, gap-fill exercises and sentence transformations.
  • has additional sections which may involve, for example, understanding the terminology and classification used in dictionary entries.

 

Please note the tasks are not identical every semester. The above information is for your guidance only! 

 

Exam registration

Registration takes place via the department website. You will find various exams pages under Your Studies -- specifically the Exams: Registration, Dates, Times, Rooms, etc. page. Scroll down to find the Language and Use Intermediate exam. Click on the "Register for..." link and complete the short form. If you change your mind you can cancel your registration by clicking on the "Cancel your registration" link below it. If you do not register in time you may not be able to take the exam.  

 

Past Papers (old tests)

Your instructor will go through one or two past papers in class. Additional past papers are available from the department's Fachschaft (fachschaftanglistiksb(at)googlemail.com). In addition, there is a team where many old exams are available in the Files section. Ask your instructor for access info. Please bear in mind, however, that simply going through past papers will not improve your level of English. In order to pass the exam with a good mark you need to understand grammatical items and have a good level of vocabulary.  

 

How to study for the exam

In addition to attending classes regularly, you may find some of the tips below useful:

  • If you have identified any particularly weak areas of grammar, refer to the Longman Advanced Learners’ Grammar, a self-study reference and practice book with answers. This is our course book in many different Sprachpraxis classes. You should consider purchasing your own copy (hint...).
  • Sign up for One Word a Day or Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day to receive a word or phrase emailed to you each working day.
  • Regularly read newspaper articles (eg BBC news http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/, Guardian Weekly http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekly. (Visit our Language Links page for more ideas.) The Guardian Weekly is also available in print format at the Saarbrücken railway station.
  • Consider keeping a learning diary for recording various aspects of language and lexis and to monitor your own progress. 

 

Please read this information sheet on the (Cambridge) C1 Advanced exam (previously called CAE) option for those who have failed this exam twice.

 

If you have any questions about the L&U Intermediate exam please ask your instructor or contact the module co-ordinator.