German

Purpose

The study of German helps students understand another people and their way of life. It seeks to enable students to converse and write accurately and idiomatically in several set situations which they might encounter either in Australia, where German is one of the largest community languages, or in a German speaking country. In Year 10, students who would like to do so can participate in the school’s cultural exchange program and undertake a four-week trip to Germany in March-April to stay with the family of their host sibling. 

Studying a foreign language lead to a better understanding of the student's own language and of how language worksin life. It gives the student an appreciation of cultural diversity and it hopes to promote understanding of the problems faced by the many migrants in our community, who do not speak English, but are faced with life in an English-speaking environment.

Structure and Content

German is studied for one block each week over the whole year. Classroom activities include the following: 

• Conversation with fellow students and adults on topics such as school experience, leisure activities, work and future plans 

• Using German language to describe, issue orders, offer advice, make arrangements and negotiate compromises (example: purchasing goods, booking travel and accommodation) • Listening to, reading and writing texts in relation to youth topics; including analysing and recording factual information and thoughts and feelings (example texts: advertisement, brochure, television program, blog entry) 

• Summarising, interpreting and creating imaginative texts (example: fairy tale, short story, poem, song) 

• Further developing understanding of German pronunciation, spelling and grammar (focusing on cases and verb tenses) 

• Recognising the conventions appropriate to various text types, and noting changes required to match audience, purpose and context 

• Understanding and expressing the factors that have contributed to the development of personal identity (texts such as CV, autobiography, interview) 

• Understanding the differences between cultures and the adjustments needed for moving between cultures

• Participating in intercultural experiences, including (if desired) participation in the 4- week cultural exchange program to Germany.