Year 7

Most students join us in year 7 having not studied German before, so we begin the year with an introduction to German-speaking countries and their cultures before moving on to cover basic conversational topics. The emphasis on speaking skills in the first term, coupled with a playful approach, encourages students to build up their confidence when speaking the language and the information from each topic leads into the next one, allowing students to use their previous knowledge as they move forward. Phonics is built into lessons each term in order to enable students to recognise important letter groups and improve their pronunciation. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to broaden their knowledge and to improve their literacy skills. Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on relevant cultural festivals or celebrations.

Year 8

The year 8 German course builds on students’ knowledge from year 7 and introduces a variety of new and useful topics. Students are encouraged to become more independent in their writing and speaking skills, as well as continuing to build a broad vocabulary bank to allow progress in listening and reading tasks. Throughout the year, students will begin to express opinions and preferences in German and give reasons for their opinions, as well as encountering the past tense for the first time. Our summer term topic of ‘Food and Drink’ brings with it the exciting opportunity to taste some typically German dishes. Phonics is built into lessons each term in order to enable students to recognise important letter groups and improve their pronunciation. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples and also carry out a piece of authentic reading to broaden their knowledge and to improve their literacy skills. Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on relevant cultural festivals or celebrations.

Year 9

The year 9 course provides a very important bridging year for students as they will experience a carefully chosen mixture of GCSE topics whilst still revisiting and consolidating aspects of year 7 and 8 German. Students can expect to get a taste of what it is like to study German at GCSE through a greater emphasis on grammar and topics which ask them to consider their role in society and will work on improving the four language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. Previous phonics work is referred to in lessons in order to enable students to recognise important letter groups and improve their pronunciation. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to improve their literacy skills. This is based on high frequency German words. Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on a topic they are studying.

Year 10

The GCSE course officially begins at the start of year 10 and students continue to study the topics required for the Eduqas German GCSE course. There is an emphasis on improving and showing progress in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and students are tested on their knowledge of basic vocabulary regularly throughout the year. Students are encouraged to carry out independent listening activities in order to fully develop their confidence, as well as to access past exam papers to build their understanding of the requirements of the assessment process.

Year 11

During year 11, students study the remainder of the topics required to complete the course and to enable them to confidently sit their examinations. Regular exam practice in all four skills is also carried out. All students carry out a mock speaking exam during term 2 which builds confidence and identifies areas for improvement before the real exam takes place at the end of the spring term/ beginning of the summer term. Throughout year 11 students develop their exam skills whilst ensuring they have a solid knowledge of general vocabulary and French grammar. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to improve their literacy skills. This is based on high frequency French words.

Topics of study are used as enrichment opportunities. Students are given an array of support materials to help them throughout their GCSE course.

Exam Board: Eduqas