German

I would like to say ‘herzlich willkommen!’ (welcome!) to all our new students and ‘willkommen zurück!’ (welcome back!) to those returning to Cheltenham PS in 2025. I will be working with year levels 1-6 this year, supported by Arthur Chronopoulos - referred to as Herr (pronounced ‘hair’, meaning Mr) Chronopoulos - in the Foundation classes. We are both passionate about the benefits of language learning and developing intercultural understanding and hope to foster these passions in the students. Our aim is to make language learning relevant, engaging and fun. 

Below is a summary of the different topics we will be exploring across the different year levels this term:

In Foundation, we will be exploring the different cultural backgrounds and languages spoken within our own learning communities and discussing why we learn about other languages and cultures. The children will be introduced to German and the country where German stems from, Germany. Students will learn how to greet each other and introduce themselves, as well as how to count from 1-5 in German. Songs, simple rhymes and videos will be used to help the children to acquire new sounds and words, which we will practise through simple role plays, games and activity sheets. 

Years 1 and 2 students will be building on their basic conversational skills and knowledge of German sounds and words. A closer look at the German alphabet will help them with the different sounds used in German. Students will also be extending their knowledge of German numbers and functional classroom language. Simplified role plays, videos, songs, games and written activities will be used to develop their language skills with a focus on receptive language and responsive oral communication. Practising structured verbal interactions support students’ developing interpersonal skills more broadly while the written activities are designed to support their basic literacy skills.

Years 3 and 4 students will be learning the days of the week and how to talk about their day and when something takes place. We will be integrating previously learned topics to build on existing knowledge and increase vocabulary and language skills. A range of multimedia texts, classroom dialogue, games and activity sheets will be used to support their learning with a focus on developing oral and written language skills. There is a catchy little song we will be using to learn the days of the week so I hope you will enjoy learning these at home too! 

Years 5 and 6 will be focusing on hobbies and interests, incorporating both sporting interests and other activities that students enjoy in their free-time. Students will explore a range of simple phrases and structures to talk about what they do and don’t like to do. We will be revising and building on existing knowledge to increase students’ vocabulary and language skills. There will continue to be a strong focus on functional language incorporating listening and speaking skills through classroom dialogues and multimedia texts, while also developing students’ reading and writing skills. 

If you have any questions or would like to contribute to the German language and culture program, please feel free to reach out. 

Tschüss!

Lisa Hunt

LOTE Specialist