Linguistic Foundations (B2 module)
B2 Structure
- Q: Which courses do I need to take for the B2 module?
A: See Module B2 “Linguistic Foundations”: https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/anglistik/seminar/linguistik/teaching/kurse#c628882
– Introduction to Linguistics 1 + Descriptive Grammar (= Part 1, winter term only)
– Introduction to Linguistics 2 + Spoken English (= Part 2, summer term only)
In addition, we strongly recommend attending a tutorial per course. - Q: I signed up for an Intro class (e.g., Group A). Where do I find all the course contents and materials?
A: If you are enrolled in any of the Intro groups, you will automatically be in the MAIN COURSE (Hauptveranstaltung), which subsumes all individual Intro classes.
If you navigate to the MAIN COURSE, you will find all content and communication options. The easiest way to find things is in the Courseware section, where all content (including homework exercises and downloadable files) can be found in a structured way (by session). This is also where you can watch the screencasts. You may and should also navigate to the individual sections in Stud.IP separately. Slides and ‘Extras’ (additional information) are not necessarily linked in the Courseware. - Q: How many sessions am I allowed to miss?
A: Ideally, none.
All sessions are relevant for the B2 exam(s). Following the regulations of BPO 2021, you are allowed to miss 3 sessions (irrespective of whether this is due to sickness, train strike, quarantine, or oversleeping). If you miss more classes, you do not fulfil the requirements for active participation in this class. In this case, contact the module coordinator immediately! - Q: I am a course repeater. Do I have to attend class?
A: YES, we expect all students to actively participate in class. Our reasoning is that course repeaters (especially the ones who failed the exam(s)) would benefit most from actively engaging in class (again) and asking questions.
Legally, students who have already actively participated in this class in previous years have technically fulfilled the requirement. If those students decide to ignore our call for active participation in person, they may sign up for the virtual course. See also the next question. - Q: Is it sufficient to watch the screencasts and do the VIPs?
A: No. The default for active participation is in person. There are only 2 options where we allow active participation in the virtual-only class:
1. Students who have already actively participated in this class in previous years but who still need to repeat the course to pass the exam.
2. Students who are sick and who cannot afford to miss crucial content. Note that this option is restricted and only allowed on a case-by-case with permission from a lecturer. - Q: I want to become a GHR teacher/English Studies is only my minor subject. Why do I have to suffer through topics like (generative) Syntax or Typology?
A: Your B.A. is not a teaching degree but a Fachstudium. The curriculum does not require very detailed knowledge of linguistics, especially if you only need to pass the B2 (and A2) modules. Your learning objective should thus be:
– To understand the basic linguistic terminology
– To understand the goals and scopes of applying linguistic knowledge to ‘real world’ questions
– To apply the appropriate terminology to new examples.
The B2 team tries to show how individual topics may relate to teaching a language. Note that we do NOT provide ready-to-use didactic implementations. To do that, you first have to understand the basic science. - Q: I have transferred from a different university. Which special rules apply to me?
A: Please contact the B2 coordinator ASAP to get your special case registered. Depending on your individual requirements, different rules apply for exam registration, exam length, content, etc. - Q: I am an ERASMUS student. Which special rules apply to me?
A: Please contact the B2 coordinator ASAP to get your special case registered. Depending on your individual requirements, different rules apply for exam registration, exam length, content, etc.
B2 exam
Q: How is the B2 exam structured?
A: here are two B2 exams that make up the B2 module grade:
- Part 1 (winter term) covers Introduction to Linguistics 1 (40 minutes, 75 points) and Descriptive Grammar (20 minutes, 40 points).
- Part 2 (summer term) covers Introduction to Linguistics 2 (40 minutes, 75 points) and Spoken English (20 minutes, 40 points).
A piece of advice: It is not advisable to focus on Intro and neglect DG or SpE because you do not have enough time to study! It is dangerous to assume that you may get enough points in the Intro part to cancel out a failing grade in DG or SpE (or vice versa).
Q: How many points do I need to pass the B2 exam?
A: That depends. Normally, you would need to achieve about 50% of the points (or 50% of the to-be-expected knowledge) for a passing grade. We do, however, regularly have to lower the passing threshold by a few percentage points to accommodate student performance per semester or academic year.
| Exam Part | Max Points |
| Intro 1 | 75 |
| Descriptive Grammar | 40 |
| Intro 2 | 75 |
| Spoken English | 40 |
Q: Can I register for the RESIT exam without having been registered for the MAIN exam?
A: Yes and No. It is technically possible in TUconnect, BUT not intended for this use, not by us and not by Prüfungsamt.
The exam = MAIN exam (first exam period), while the RESIT (=WIEDERHOLUNGSklausur) is offered to students who were sick on the day of the main exam (see Q on sickness on the day of the exam) OR failed the (main) exam.
It is INADVISABLE to do it for several reasons:
– If you fail your first attempt in the main exam, you have the opportunity to repeat the exam in the resit. If you fail the resit, your next attempt is a full year away, thus potentially delaying your studies.
– Many of the topics covered in part I of the exam (Intro I, DG) will be the basis for topics in Intro II. Not having the required background knowledge is an inadvisable starting point.
– You may only enrol for A2 classes if you have successfully passed the B2 module.
The resit is scheduled at inconvenient times.
A piece of advice, especially for Part 2 (summer term): If you are registered for the resit, you will be put on the waiting list for any A2 classes that you may sign up for. Depending on the class, you may not be able to participate even if you registered super early for A2 and then passed the resit. Some classes have very long waiting lists, and preference will be given to those students who have already passed B2. It is thus recommended to register for the main exam(s).
Rebecca Carroll 