German

Aims

The German department aims to provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with both the spoken and written language, as well as broaden their understanding of the culture of German-speaking countries. Germany is Britain’s biggest trading partner and is Europe’s most powerful economy. German is also the most spoken first language in Europe with around 100 million native speakers. Germany has a rich heritage in science, philosophy and the arts.

Curriculum and Assessment Maps

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning

Summer Term

1)      Mastering phonology and pronunciation

2)      Grammar  – (verb second rule, forming questions, giving opinions)

3)      Learning key vocabulary from the topics in bold

4)      Pronunciation and phonology

5)      Numbers 1000

6)      Forming and answering basic questions

7)      Greeting people

8)      Alphabet phonology

9)      Months and days

10)   Negatives (kein)

11)   sein (to be) haben (to have)

Family

 

12)   Describing family members (physical and character)

13)   Pets with descriptions

14)   Regular verbs in present tense

School

 

15)   School subjects

16)   Telling the time

17)   Expressing opinions of school subjects

18)   Verb second rule

Hobbies and Sports

 

19)   Expressing opinions of hobbies and sports

20)   Adverbs of frequency for hobbies and sports

Food and Drink

 

21)   Mealtimes

22)   Likes/Dislikes food and drink

23)   Buying food and drink

24)   Ordering from a menu

Locality, Homes, Rooms

 

25)   Locality and types of houses

26)   Rooms in the house and where things are in the room (prepositions with dative)

Assessment Pieces

·        Pronunciation Test (October)

·        Translation/ Grammar test (November)

Assessment Pieces

·        Extended writing about self

·        Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing about School (February)

Assessment Pieces

·        Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing about oneself, school and hobbies (June)

 

Key vocabulary

 

•        The German alphabet

•        Umlauts

•        Question formation

•        haben and sein

•        Word order in simple sentences

•        Cardinal and ordinal numbers

•        Possessive pronouns “mein“and „dein”

•        negatives with „kein”

•        Subject pronouns

•        Intensifiers

•        adjectives (after nouns)

•        Definite and indefinite articles

•        Sentence buiders

•        “Verb second” word order

•         Gern, nicht gern, lieber, am liebsten (opinions)

•        Present tense verb formation of key verbs

•        Clock times

•        Denn for justifying opions

•        Word order with time

•        Sentence builders

•        Structures for buying and ordering food

•        Subjunctive: möchte/hätte

•        Quantities and containers

•        Prepositions + dative (einem/einer/einem, dem/der/dem)

•         Es gibt + accusative (einen/eine/ ein)

•        Relative clauses with „wo“

•        Modal verbs dürfen andn können

•        Sentence builders

 

Outside the taught curriculum

Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Christmas traditions including carols “Stille Nacht” and “Kling Glöckchen

Spelling Bee – Summer Term

 

How our Year 7 Curriculum relates to the Key Stage 3 German National Curriculum

 

Grammar and vocabulary

§ identify and use tenses or other structures which convey the present tense, with examples of verbs in other tenses

§ use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods, as appropriate

§ use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Linguistic competence

§ listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain information and respond appropriately

§ transcribe words and short sentences that they hear with increasing accuracy

§ initiate and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address

§ develop and use a wide-ranging and deepening vocabulary that goes beyond their immediate needs

§ use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Suggested Reading/ resources www.vocabexpress.com for vocabulary practice

www.quizlet.co.uk for vocabulary practice

www.senecalearning.com for vocabulary practice

www.memrise.com for vocabulary practice

Mary Glasgow Magazines available in school library / Class readers

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning

Summer Term

1)      Mastering phonology and pronunciation

2)      Grammar  – (Using and understanding the future tense, understanding fundamental word order, using and understanding the past (perfect) tense

3)      Learning key vocabulary from the topics in bold

·        Where I live

·        Saying What I can do in my neighbourhood

·        Saying what there is to do in my street

·        My daily routine and activities

•        Clothes and Accessories

•        Weather and free time

·        Future plans and holidays

•        Holidays: talking about a past holiday, where we went and where we stayed

•        Talking about a past holiday – what we did and my opinion of it

•        Talking about a recent day trip

Assessment Pieces

Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing about where I live

(November)

Assessment Pieces

Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing about clothing and the future tense (February)

Assessment Pieces

Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing about holidays and the past tense (June)

Key vocabulary

 

•        Ich wohne in/ Ich lebe in + location

•        Mir gefällt meine Nachbarschaft + weil+ adjective/noun phrase/infinitive

•        Grammar: clauses with weil, negation with kein

•        Man kann + infinitive

•        Man kann + noun/prepositional phrase

•        Bin ich habe ich + past participle

•        Grammar: Modal verb können + infinitive, Perfect tense with haben and sein + past participle

•        In meiner Straße gibt es + noun phrase

•        Noun + locative adverbial/prepositions + prepositional phrase

•        Mein Haus + ist/befindet sich + location

•        Es gibt kein/keine + noun + adbverbial

•        Grammar: Using locative adverbials and prepositions, kein/keine, masculine/feminine/neuter/plural: von dem /von der/ von den

•        Time adverbial + verb phrase + um +time + noun phrase + adversative clause

•        Time adverbial + verb phrase + um +time + prepositional phrase + adversative clause

•        Aber/jedoch + time adverbial + modal verb + infinitive

•        Grammar: Reflexive constructions with reflexive pronouns in dative (mir) or accusative (mich), present tense of modal verbs

•        Giving a wide range of words for clothing items and accessories

•        Using a range of words for places in town

•        Full present tense conjugation of tragen

•        Revising:

o   Time markers, frequency markers, colours, self-introduction phrases, adjective endings in accusative case after einen/eine/ein

•        Learning words for places in town

•        Learning how to answer questions about clothes

•        Revising:

o   The full verbs “machen , “gehen“ and “spielen“ in the present tense, pets, places in town, clothes, family members, numbers 1-100

•        Learning how to talk about:

•        What you intend to do on future holidays

•        Where you are going to go

•        Where you are going to stay

•        Who you are going to travel with

•        How it will be

•        Means of transport

•        Revising:

o   “gehen”, free-time activities, previously seen adjectives

•        Verb in perfect tense + time marker + noun or prepositional phrase

•        Verb phrase in perfect tense + casual clause

•        Local adverbial + verb in past tense + prepositional phrase

•        Grammar: perfect tense of fahren, anreisen, wohnen

•        Preposition in + Dativ or Akkusativ

•        Prepositions auf, bei and nach + Dativ

•        Time marker + perfect tense + noun phrase

•        Time marker + perfect tense of fahren and anreisen + noun phrase + um…zu…+ infinitive

•        Das Beste war, als + perfect tense + prepositional phrase

•        Meiner Meinung nach + war es ein + adjective + Urlaub + adversative clause

•        Grammar: First person perfect tense, use of um….zu… to indicate “in order to”, Use of Konjunktiv II to indicate “I would like”

•        Time marker + war/waren + locative adverbial + prepositional phrase

•        Hatte/hatten + food

•        Time marker+ war + weather

•        Prepositional phrase with vor/während + perfect tense

•        Es war + noun phrase

•        Grammar: All persons of the perfect and imperfect tense, various time markers.

 

Outside the taught curriculum

Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland
 

How our Year 8 Curriculum relates to the Key Stage 3 German National Curriculum

 

Grammar and vocabulary

§ identify and use tenses or other structures which convey the present, past, and future as appropriate to the language being studied

§ use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods, as appropriate

§ develop and use a wide-ranging and deepening vocabulary that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests, allowing them to give and justify opinions and take part in discussion about wider issues

§ use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Linguistic competence

§ listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain information and respond appropriately

§ transcribe words and short sentences that they hear with increasing accuracy

§ initiate and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address

§ express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, both orally and in writing

§ speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation

§ read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources, understanding the purpose, important ideas and details, and provide an accurate English translation of short, suitable material

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning

Summer Term

1)      Mastering phonology

2)      Grammar – (Regular and Irregular Present Tense verbs, Future Tense, Comparatives and Superlatives, Word order with adverbial phrases

3)      Learning key vocabulary from the topics in bold

Family, Relationships and Marriage

 

·        Family relationships

·        Details about family

·        Views on marriage

·        Marriage and its alternatives

Technology in Everyday life

 

·        Social Media

·        Details about social media and social networks including internet safety

·        Mobile technology

·        Advantages and disadvantages of mobile technology

Free-time Activities

·        Music, cinema and TV

·        Preferences with visual and audio media

·        Food and Drink in Germany

·        Sports and Hobbies

·        Extreme Sports

Assessment Pieces

Listening and Reading tasks about Family, Relationship and Marriage

Assessment Pieces

150-word Writing Task about use of technology

Assessment Pieces

Speaking, Reading and Listening Tasks about Free-time Activities

Key vocabulary

 

Sentence builders

Textbook pp. 28-29

Sentence builders

Textbook pp. 40-41

Sentence Builders

Textbook pp. 62-63

 

Outside the taught curriculum

Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Residential Trip to the Rhineland in Germany (from Summer 2023)

Suggested reading

 

Kerboodle.com Vocabulary builders
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning 

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning 

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning 

Summer Term

Increased Mastery of:

  • 3 main tenses + conditional tense
  • Cases in German
  • Pronouns and verb endings
  • Co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions
  • Oral spontaneity
Germany and Customs

  • Talking about customs and traditions sports activities
  • Learning about more festivals in German-speaking countries 

Home, town, neighbourhood and region

  • Describing homes
  • Describing rooms and what is in them
  • Talking about different areas
  • Talking about facilities in your town
Healthy/Unhealthy Living

  • Talking about lifestyles in the past
  • Talking about health issues

The Environment 

  • Talking about local environmental problems
  • Talking about global environmental problems
Holidays and Travel

  • Talking about accommodation
  • Talking about travel websites
  • Talking about city breaks
  • Talking about holiday destinations
Assessment Pieces

Writing task about your local area

Assessment Pieces

Reading and listening tasks about healthy/unhealthy living and the environment

Assessment Pieces

Oral Task on holidays (Year 10 exam week)

Key vocabulary AQA GCSE GERMAN HIGHER (RED)

Textbook pp.74-75, pp.94-95

AQA Specification vocabulary

AQA GCSE GERMAN HIGHER (RED)

Textbook p. 107, p.124

AQA Specification vocabulary

AQA GCSE GERMAN HIGHER (RED)

Textbook pp.136-137

AQA Specification vocabulary

Outside the taught curriculum Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Suggested reading Kerboodle.com Vocabulary builders

AQA Specification vocabulary

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning 

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning 

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning 

Summer Term

  • Conditional, Imperfect and pluperfect tenses
  • Use of complex linguistic structures in writing and speaking
  • Examination Technique
My Studies

  • Describing your school
  • Types of school in Germany
  • Typical school day
  • Different experiences of school

Education Post 16

    • Making choices about university or career
  • Talking about career choices
    • Career and work experience
  • Ideal job
Charity and Voluntary work

  • Talking about doing Charity work abroad

Homelessness and Poverty

  • Talking about becoming homeless
  • Talking about living on the streets

Revision

  • Units 1-4
Revision

  • Units 5-8
Assessment Pieces

Mock Examinations (Listening, Reading and Writing)

Assessment Pieces

Speaking Mock

Assessment Pieces
Key vocabulary AQA GCSE GERMAN HIGHER (RED)

Textbook pp.156-157, pp, 168-169

AQA Specification Vocabulary

AQA GCSE GERMAN HIGHER (RED)

Textbook p.106 and 125 

AQA Specification Vocabulary

AQA Specification Vocabulary 
Outside the taught curriculum Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Suggested reading Kerboodle.com Vocabulary builders

AQA Specification Vocabulary

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning 

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning 

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning 

Summer Term

  • GCSE grammar review
  • Passive voice
  • All 4 cases and adjective endings
  • Interpreting statistics
  • Writing a literary essay
Family

  • Relationships within the family
  • Partnerships and marriage
  • Different family forms

Technology

  • The internet
  • Social networks
  • Digitalisation of the Society
Youth Culture

  • Fashion and Image
  • The meaning of music for young people
  • The role of TV

Traditions and Customs in German-speaking Countries

  • The roots and origins of festivals and traditions
  • The social and economic significance of festivals and traditions
  • Regional variation in festivals and traditions

Der Besuch der alten Dame (Set Text)

Art and Architecture

  • Art and Architecture in daily life
  • Art and Architecture – past, present and future

Berlin Cultural Life -past and present

  • Theatre, music and museums in Berlin
  • The diversity of the population in Berlin

Der Besuch der alten Dame (Set Text)

Assessment Pieces

Speaking about family/technology

Assessment Pieces

Reading and Listening from Terms 1-2 

Assessment Pieces

Writing on set text

Key vocabulary AQA A LEVEL GERMAN 

Textbook pp. 26-27 pp.46-47

AQA A LEVEL GERMAN 

Textbook pp.66-67, pp.86-87

AQA A LEVEL GERMAN 

Textbook pp. 106-107, pp.126-127

Outside the taught curriculum Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Suggested reading Euronews.net

Fokus/ der Spiegel

Der Besuch der alten Dame + secondary literature

Nancy Thuleen German Grammar (website)

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year Scheme of Learning 

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning 

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning 

Summer Term

  • Subjunctive
  • Phrases of argumentation and expressing complex opinions
  • Writing a literary essay (continued)
  • Exam Technique
Immigration

  • Explain the main reasons why people migrate
  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of immigration for immigrants and the country of destination
  • Examine issues affecting a country’s migration policy 
  • Discuss how the German government promotes the integration of migrants and refugees

Integration

  • Discuss barriers to integration
  • Discuss and compare the experiences of migrants and refugees in Germany

Set Film : Goodbye Lenin

Racism

  • Discuss the impact of racism on its victims and the support available 
  • Discuss the origins of racism
  • Discuss how people resist racism and show moral courage to fight against it 

Germany and the EU

  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the EU for Germany
  • Understand the impact of EU expansion on Germany

Youth and Politics

  • Discuss the ways and the extent to which young people engage in politics
  • Discuss priorities for youth politics in Germany
  • Discuss the priorities of young people and the role of pressure groups

Germany and Reunification

  • Discuss the events and developments which led to German reunification 
  • Discuss and contrastthe desired and actual outcomes of reunification 
  • Discuss and compare the culture and identity of the old and new federal states 

Set Film: Goodbye Lenin

Revision
Assessment Pieces

Writing on der Besuch/ Good Bye Lenin

Assessment Pieces

Mock exam 

Assessment Pieces
Key vocabulary AQA A LEVEL GERMAN 

Textbook pp. 26-27 pp.46-47, pp. 66-67

AQA A LEVEL GERMAN 

Textbook pp.86-87, pp.106-107, pp. 127-128

Outside the taught curriculum Cultural information about Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Suggested reading Euronews.net

Fokus/ der Spiegel

Der Vorleser, Good Bye Lenin  + secondary literature

Nancy Thuleen German Grammar (website)

Further information

  • Mr D Thomson (Head of German)
  • Miss M Todd (German)
  • Mrs C Gardner (German)
  • Mrs T Richards (French and German)

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

All pupils in Year 7 learn German as one of two foreign languages, which they will continue to at least Year 9. In Year 7 they will have 4 periods of German per fortnight, whilst in Years 8 and 9 this will reduce to 3. One period may occasionally be based in a computer room, in order to practise ICT skills and revise vocabulary and grammar through a variety of engaging sites. Classroom lessons contain a wide variety of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities, using a number of stimulating and challenging resources, tailored to prepare pupils for the new-style GCSE curriculum.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

Students who opt to take the GCSE course will have a good grounding in the subject from Key Stage 3, consolidating on some previously learnt material as well as developing their competencies in new topic areas. In each Year students will have 5 periods of German per fortnight, using a new course book with accompanying interactive resources. We currently follow the AQA examination syllabus. The four components are: Listening (25%), Reading (25%), Speaking (25%) and Writing (25%). All skill areas are assessed by final exam in Year 11. During the course there will be a lot of emphasis on grammar and translation skills, as well as heightening pupil awareness on current and historical cultural matters.

Post 16 (A Level)

The A-level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and to society. The specification has been designed to be studied over two years. In the first year, aspects of the social context are studied, together with aspects of the artistic life of German-speaking countries. In the second year, further aspects of the social background are covered, alongside the German political landscape, both in relation to Germany itself and its role on the European stage. The past and the way Germany shapes the present is viewed through the reunification and its consequences while the focus on young people and politics looks forward to shaping the future of German-speaking countries. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of countries where German is spoken, and their language skills. They will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in German. Students following this specification will develop their language knowledge, understanding and skills through a variety of strategies and themes, including translation, literature and film. In the second year there will also be the opportunity to personalise study to a specific area of interest, which will then be examined as part of the spoken component.

How To Help Your Daughter To Improve

Whenever possible, you could encourage your daughter to:

  • Read the teacher comments and where relevant act on them.
  • At GCSE and A’ level, carefully read the assessment criteria and examiner’s report before assessments or examinations
  • Use the text book to read ahead to be ready for new topics.
  • Make revision materials at the end of each topic
  • Keep up-to-date with vocabulary learning
  • Review her work frequently
  • Use the text book to consolidate classroom learning
  • Use the internet sites suggested later to research unfamiliar topics
  • Explain her lessons to you
  • Ask her teacher for a more detailed explanation
  • This is not a full list, the techniques she uses in other subjects may also work with German

Here are just a few areas in which the application of German would prove to be useful:

  • Business
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Arts (especially Music) and Science (2nd most published language for scientific journals)
  • Teaching
  • Academia
  • Translation and interpreting
  • Any profession that requires confidence in communication, flexibility, the willingness to embrace a new challenge

German Opportunities Out Of Lessons

  • Key Stage 3 Residential to the Rhineland
  • Weihnachtsmarkt in Birmingham (German Christmas Market)
  • Brieffreunde (Pen pals)

German Opportunities Parents Can Provide

  • Trip/holiday to Germany, Switzerland or Austria
  • Work Experience/Contacts with international/German-based companies

Useful German Websites

en_GBEnglish