Subject Pages
German
Modern Foreign Languages
The Modern Foreign Languages Department at Highworth Grammar School aims to foster an enthusiasm and passion in our students for languages. Students will be enriched with knowledge about each country’s culture and develop an appreciation of the importance of modern foreign languages in an increasingly globalised society. The provision of a stimulating learning environment, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities, will develop resilient, confident, culturally curious students. Students will be equipped with practical skills and self belief so that they can learn a language successfully into adulthood.
Our MFL teachers work enthusiastically to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum to engage and challenge the students, so they are able to communicate confidently in another language. We provide opportunities for students to progress in the four main skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The study of grammar and linguistic structures also enhances knowledge of students' own languages. They practise a variety of skills which can be applied to a wide range of future pathways and career choices. We strive to lay the foundation of life-long learning to study a future language, or study and work in other countries.
Our MFL department raises the profile of language learning across the school through extra-curricular events such as the European day of Languages. Additionally, Highworth International Programmes (click here for more information) help prepare our students to compete and contribute in an increasingly interconnected world, building knowledge and understanding of: people and places; the issues which unite us; and the attitudes and behaviours required to become a responsible global citizen.
The curriculum is designed to:
- Create opportunities so that all students are engaged and challenged, whilst being supported to achieve their best
- Develop the students’ powers of oral communication and confidence in their chosen language, creating speaking opportunities to build confidence, spontaneity and a willingness to communicate
- Check understanding. We focus on a continuous dialogue between teachers and students - we use our questioning carefully, we use mini whiteboards and games/challenges to achieve this
- Achieve high levels of engagement and collaboration in lessons through pair and group work, including fun games and challenges
- Support retention of knowledge with regular review (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Present new material in small steps, providing models & scaffolds and through guided practice
- We draw upon Conti’s teaching MFL principles of recall/repetition and pronunciation
- We focus on students gaining cultural insights which are carefully embedded in our curriculum. We use a variety of resources, including authentic material and experiences by our native language teachers.
We encourage our students to:
- Have a positive and enjoyable attitude to learning languages that stays with them for life
- Build confidence so that they are prepared to ‘have a go’ and communicate willingly
- Develop linguistic skills and awareness of grammar, so that they can communicate effectively
- Develop personal qualities, such as politeness, perseverance, empathy, confidence and independence, through Speaking and Listening activities.
- Develop transferable learning skills, such as collaboration, initiative, creativity and 'thinking outside the box', which can be used in other subjects and future careers
- Develop their awareness of cultural differences and understand other perspectives to equip them as ‘Global Citizens’ who belong to a multicultural world
- Lay the foundation of life-long learning to study a future language, or study and work in other countries
- Apply their learning by reflecting on their own first language, exploring similarities and differences to develop an understanding of how language works.
German
The German Department at Highworth places immense importance upon building confidence so that all our students are prepared to ‘have a go’ and willingly communicate when in German speaking countries. We also have a well established link with a grammar school in Ashford's twin town, Bad Münstereifel in Germany.
We provide an insight into the cultures of Germany, Austria and Switzerland and hereby aim to instil in all our students a passion and enthusiasm for languages and other countries. Germany is often seen as the European Union's economic powerhouse, with the country being the fourth-largest economy in the world. As Germany continues to dominate European politics and increasingly take centre stage on global affairs, it is a fascinating time to learn about its language and culture.
Staffing
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Head of Department |
Mrs S Gerstlauer |
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Teachers
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Mrs D Albert Ms L Baxter Mr D Beer |
| Language Assistant | Anna Nicole Baer |
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Prefects
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Nina Freya Katherine |
| Ambassador |
Sasha 9VM Lilly 11JP |
Curriculum Map
Click here for the German Curriculum Map
Key Stage 3
Content
Year 7
In Year 7, students will have a taste of two languages, which will be allocated before starting at Highworth. At the end of Year 7, students will be asked to indicate a preference of language they wish to study for GCSE.
During Year 7 German, a variety of topics will be covered in a fun and accessible way, to enable students to communicate basic information, and to lay the foundations for further study. The topic areas in year 7 covered are:
- Personal Information
- My studies
- Me and my family
- Sport & hobbies.
Year 8
During Year 8 German, we build upon the topics covered in Year 7 and begin to add more complex grammatical structures to encourage students to develop their responses with variety and sophistication.
The topics we aim to cover during the year are:
- Social time
- My home
- My town
- Holidays.
Year 9
In Year 9 German, we continue to develop and extend the topics covered in Years 7 and 8 and we teach more complex grammatical structures and higher level vocabulary to encourage students to express themselves with increasing depth and sophistication. In this way, students will be best prepared for the demands of the GCSE course beginning in Year 10.
The topics we aim to cover during the year are:
- Healthy living
- Friends and family
- My school life
- My future plans
Throughout KS3, we endeavour to give an insight into German culture within the topic areas studied, for example German food, festivals and aspects of the German school system.
Resources
We use a range of materials in KS3; we primarily use our own presentations and worksheets which are printed and shared on Google Classroom. To aid reading and listening skills, we also use the textbooks ‘Stimmt 1-3!’ and Echo 1-2. Students are given a ‘Studienheft’ each year to guide them with their studies, these include endpoints, key vocabulary, assessment information and a range of study/revision materials. For further language practice, we use websites such as www.linguascope.co.uk and www.languagenut.com. Login and password details for these websites will be provided in class.
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students will largely complete class and homework in exercise books and in their study booklet, or produce display work on paper. Homework and written tasks will be marked and accompanied by a comment as necessary. For extended pieces of writing, a formative comment will be accompanied by a W, M or E, in line with the school and departmental assessment guidance. We will endeavour to return corrected work within two weeks and where work is not completed to our expectations, students will be given an opportunity to review their work to achieve a level which better reflects their potential. Vocabulary tests, listening and reading exercises completed in class will be given a raw mark and we embrace a variety of assessment techniques, including teacher, peer and self-assessment.
At the end of each term, students will be assessed in one or more of the skill areas to monitor their learning journey. Assessments will be based on the vocabulary, grammar and skills covered in lessons and outlined for students as endpoints in their study booklets. For reading/listening assessments, we may award grades based on the overall percentage that was achieved. For writing and speaking, grades are based on the quality of the answers given. Specific assessment requirements will be shared with students before the assessment, as this depends on the topic and grammar covered in class. Please see rough guidance for our expectations here. German will also be examined as part of the End of Year exams and all skills will be examined at this time.
Key Stage 4
Content
At the start of Year 10, students will start their GCSE courses. Students are expected to continue the study of their chosen language up to GCSE. The benefits of continued language study are numerous and the presence of a language at GCSE and A Level is looked upon very favourably by Higher Education establishments.
During the two year GCSE course, students consolidate the material they acquired in Years 7-9, and we aim to develop their learning by providing challenging materials and activities. Some of the same topic areas are covered, but they are approached at a much higher level and students are expected to take a more independent approach to their learning. Grammar continues to feature regularly within the context of the topics studied at GCSE and this will become more complex as students develop their skills.
We teach the AQA GCSE German qualification and cover the following topics:
Theme 1 – Identity and Culture
- My Family and Friends
- Technology
- Free Time Activities
Theme 2 – Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest
- Home, Town, Neighbourhood and Region
- Social Issues
- Global Issues
- Travel and Tourism
Theme 3 – Current and Future Study and Employment
- My Studies
- Life at School/College
- Education Post-16
- Jobs, Career Choices and Ambitions
Throughout KS4, we continue to give an insight into German culture within the topic areas studied, for example German tourist destinations, festivals and aspects of German music and TV.
Resources
We use a range of materials during the GCSE course; we primarily use our own presentations and worksheets which are printed and shared on Google Classroom. To aid reading and listening skills we also use the textbooks ‘Stimmt! GCSE’ and Echo 4 Rot. Students are also given a range of study resources to guide them through their GCSE, for example key topic vocabulary, grammar explanations, exam practice questions and a key question booklet to help prepare for the speaking and writing examination. For further language practice we use websites such as www.linguascope.co.uk, www.languagenut.com and www.quizlet.com. Login and password details for these websites will be provided in class.
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
In Years 10-11, students will take greater responsibility for their note making, and will be given regular homework in the different skill areas in order to adequately prepare them for the rigours of the GCSE examination. Vocabulary tests and reading and listening exercises completed in class will be given a raw mark. Shorter written tasks will be corrected and accompanied with a comment if appropriate.
At the end of each term, students are assessed in one or more of the skill areas to monitor their learning journey. Assessments will be based on the vocabulary, grammar and skills covered in lessons. Specific assessment requirements will be shared with students before the assessment, as this depends on the topic and grammar covered in class. For reading/ listening assessments, we may award grades based on the overall percentage that was achieved. For writing and speaking, we use the corresponding GCSE mark scheme, as appropriate, and this will be accompanied with a target to enable access to the higher grades. Students will be given their own copies of the GCSE mark schemes, to which they are regularly encouraged to make reference. We wholly support the principles of Assessment for Learning and continually seek opportunities to include self and peer-assessment and encourage students to reflect on their targets and review their own progress.
At the end of Year 11, students will be assessed as follows.
- Speaking 25%: Conducted with teacher, includes role play, photo card and general conversation
- Listening paper:25%
- Reading paper: 25% Includes translation from German into English
- Writing 25%: Includes translation from English into German
Specification
Please click here for the AQA GCSE German specification
Please click here for the AQA GCSE German mark schemes
A Level
Content
At A Level, students will follow the Edexcel specification which seeks to build upon the language taught at GCSE and produce well rounded linguists with a good understanding of contemporary German culture and society.
The topics taught at A Level are:
- Development of German society: Environment; education; world of work
- Political and artistic culture in the German speaking world: Music; media; festivals and traditions
- Immigration and the multi-cultural German society: Integration and multiculturalism; economic and social effects of immigration
- German reunification: Society before and after the reunification
Alongside these themes, we will also be studying some works of German literature and film. We are currently studying Dürrenmatt’s Der Besuch der alten Dame and Sönke Wortmann’s Das Wunder von Bern.
There are three examined units that comprise the A Level qualification and the four skills are assessed as follows:
- Unit 1: Listening, reading and translation (1 hour 50 minutes- 40%): Short tasks testing receptive skills
- Unit 2: Writing (2 hour 40 minutes - 30%): Translation and essay writing skills, focusing on two works of German literature and/or film
- Unit 3: Speaking (20 minutes- 30%): Responding to questions on the above themes and an independent research project on a topic relevant to a German speaking country
In order to prepare students for their speaking examinations, they will have weekly 1:1 sessions with our Foreign Language Assistant. They will discuss current affairs with them, talk about cultural differences and help improve general pronunciation and fluency!
Resources
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
At A Level, students are encouraged to undertake independent study as well as complete regular homework in the different skill areas. Vocabulary tests and reading and listening exercises completed in class will be given a raw mark. Written tasks will be regularly set for homework and corrected, as well as accompanied with a comment if appropriate.
Students have regular assessments in at least one skill area each term. The A Level mark scheme will be used as appropriate and targets are set for next steps. Oral feedback will also be given regularly, as we find these 1:1 discussions lead to a greater understanding of the demands at a higher level.
Specification
Please click here for the Edexcel A Level German specification
Reach Stars
Exam Support
Advice
Learning a language is not easy for everyone and requires a lot of commitment and frequent practice; rather than leaving work to the last minute, things are much more effective split into smaller chunks and revisited frequently over a longer period of time.
Successful students are prepared to go the extra mile, use their initiative and work independently to push themselves on. Try accessing some of the websites listed below to consolidate learning.
In preparation for exams, why not do some past papers? You can download papers and specimen papers on the links below.
A variety of revision techniques sometimes helps. Practise with your family or with a friend! Try and teach them the vocabulary, as it’s believed you remember even more of what you teach someone else.
Keep going back over your notes- refreshing topics you did a few months ago will keep the material fresh in your mind.
Preparation for the Oral and Written examinations is the key to success. Practise using ‘mind maps’ to help you produce complex language spontaneously and effectively. Ask your teacher for tips on how to construct these.
Past papers
Please click here for the AQA GCSE German specimen and sample papers
Please click here for the Edexcel A Level German specimen and sample papers
Useful external links
GCSE
The following sites are excellent for practising GCSE level vocabulary
A Level
At A Level, keeping abreast of current affairs and gathering a range of vocabulary is essential. We would recommend reading German news sites regularly. These two sites are quite accessible:
Watching the ‘Heute Express’ News summary is also a quick way of keeping up-to-date:
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten
The langsam gesprochene Nachrichten is also an accessible way of gathering vocabulary on up-to-date issues:
http://www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/nachrichten/s-8030
To support research and finding out up-to-date information on German society, try accessing the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: www.bpd.de
Careers and Alumni
Potential Careers
The world is getting smaller and companies are increasingly searching for multilingual employees, as not everyone can speak English! You will be in a job market where you are competing with people from all over the world who speak several languages. Languages can take you anywhere and never have they been so important! It’s no longer just about being fluent in a foreign language, it is about having the confidence and skills to communicate with other members of the global community. People with language skills are highly thought of in the modern world. They stand out as talented and successful people, with broad and exciting horizons.
Here are just some of the career areas that learning a language can help you access:
- International Business and Marketing
- Science and Engineering
- Tourism
- International Finance and Banking
- Event Management and Catering
- Charity Work
- International and European Law
- Teaching/Tutoring/Lecturing
- Journalism
- International Property Sales and Development
- Interpreting and Translating
- Film and Music/Media
Alumni
We have strong links with our German Department Alumni and love hearing about their exciting adventures after Highworth! We are often visited by ex-students who come and speak to our classes about the fantastic opportunities they have had since they started learning a language.
We have a good record of students accessing Oxbridge and Russell Group university courses for German and they share their words of wisdom with younger students as they embark on their language learning journey.
Words of Wisdom from past Highworth German students…
I would really recommend doing a language as part of a joint degree, as it provides the opportunities of both degree courses, whilst meaning that you only study the most interesting and fundamental parts of both. Furthermore, the skills learnt in both courses often complement each other, for example, studying German alongside Biology means that the essay writing skills I learn in German, help with understanding the most concise way to structure an argument in Biology. Studying a language is a really great way to increase employability, as not only does it demonstrate a repertoire of transferable skills, but it also shows the ability to interact with different cultures, something which is becoming increasingly essential in so many international businesses.
Despite this, the best reason to study a language as part of a joint degree is that it is really rewarding. You can see improvements with every piece of work and it provides the excuse to travel abroad as often as possible to practise what you have learnt!
Aoife
For me, taking German for A Level was a no-brainer. I had developed a love for the language and culture during GCSEs and wanted to develop the skills I had already acquired. My A Level German class was a lot smaller in comparison to my other classes, which meant that lessons could be more interactive and supportive. What I particularly found helpful were the regular speaking practice sessions where I could practise speaking with the language assistant one-on-one in an informal environment. After completing my A Levels, I went to live in Berlin as an Au Pair. I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the culture, becoming friends with the native speakers and developing my language skills in a practical way. Although I study Biochemistry at University now, I have had the opportunity to continue learning German at a higher level at evening classes. Studying German and also spending time in Germany has vastly improved my communication skills and has given me invaluable experiences, which have helped me in my degree, my general social life and has been a great asset to my CV. I would highly recommend studying German as not only will you stand apart from your peers when applying for university or jobs, but it will also open up many doors to new opportunities such as working abroad and meeting new people.
Charlotte
"I was in two minds when deciding whether to take German onto A Level. On the one hand, I was not planning on studying a language at university. I wanted to (and did) study Mathematics, and with only 4 options every choice needed to count for that all important UCAS application! However, on the other hand, I enjoyed German and was pretty good at it. Luckily with a bit of persuading from my teachers I decided to take it, and I am so glad I did. I enjoyed studying German at A Level and building and perfecting upon something which I had been learning for 5 years, to not let it all go to waste was definitely a bonus! However, I don't think I really understand the value of learning a language at A Level until I started university.
Firstly, as clichéd as it sounds, it does immediately set you apart from others. It is the only A Level that really continues to add something to my life even today. Of course Biology and Chemistry are important (my other two A Levels) but as I studied Maths, I've never had any use for them since I left school whereas German is something that now adds to my skill set professionally and socially. I am confidently able to travel or converse with people from a whole other country in a way none of my friends can and it continues to impress!
In my second year at university, I did an internship at an Investment Bank and they needed someone to translate important German documents for them and guess who was the only person in a team of many 30-something-year olds to do that. That's right! I'd always heard that a language will help you in the world of work but never actually believed it until then. Many of my friends who learnt a language at A Level are now able to travel overseas with their work as well!
I just studied Spanish alongside my Maths course in my last year of university, and in just over a year can converse at a high level. Having studied one language already gives you great momentum for learning many more, should you want to!
So now, if I meet anyone thinking of what to take for A Level, I definitely recommend a language! It is different from most other subjects available in that it is a skill (and now for me a hobby!) for life. Being able to study a language in depth for 7 years is not an opportunity you will ever get again and it is something that will complement most of your subject combinations. My only regret is not having taken two languages for A Level!"
Leena
Hi I’m Ailiés, I currently study Law and German Law on the LLB law with Magister at the University of Exeter. The course is unique in that you study the German legal system alongside your usual English law modules, whereas on most law courses you’d be studying German language and culture over German law. This may not be to everyone’s taste; however I feel that it’s a great way to challenge yourself and learn something new and unique. The course itself is a four-year course; you study the first 3 years in Exeter, taking a minimum of 3 English law modules alongside one compulsory German Law module. You will have one German lecture a week along with tutorials etc. the groups are very small (my course has only 8 people on it) so you get to know your fellow students and lecturers really well. You spend your 4th year at the Saarbrücken University in Germany. By the end of the 4 year course you are qualified to then go on and become a lawyer who can practise both English and German law, this making you incredibly attractive to a number of law firms and a lot more easily employable.
For me, studying a language at university, whichever way you do it, is something that should be considered by a lot more people. It opens you up to a much wider array of jobs and opportunities for the future, as well as giving the opportunity to travel, meet new people and see places you otherwise would never have known.
The LLB Law with Magister course at Exeter currently has grade requirements of AAA-AAB, so challenging but perfectly achievable for many Highworth students!
Good Luck everyone!
Ailiés
German was without a doubt my favourite subject at A Level. I still remember when I decided to drop it after year 12…and I cried. So I came to my senses and followed it through until I left for university. I am now doing Dentistry and you may think there is no direct use for my language skills but they have definitely helped me along the way, from adding an extra boost to my applications to giving me the confidence to travel - not knowing the native language is definitely a massive barrier to getting fully immersed in any culture. What’s more is that in MFL lessons, you don’t just learn a language; you study history, read literature, debate current affairs and actually get to know things that relate to the real world, rather than just memorising a textbook. I hear far too often "I wish I could speak another language" or "Oh I wish I hadn’t dropped Spanish/German". It really is an impressive skill. Don’t be that person with regrets!
Sarita
I loved studying German at Highworth - the department were really supportive and made every effort to create a fun learning environment. As a student, I've met plenty of students from across Europe and it's been great to keep speaking other languages. It's also helped out loads in my studies - you'd be amazed how many German words find their way into music!
Sam
Extracurricular
Trips and visits
We are keen to give students opportunities to visit Germany to expand their knowledge of Germany and to practise their language skills. We currently offer two trips:
Year 8 Köln Christmas Market visit (December each year) - An inspiring two day trip to Cologne to experience the magical Christmas Markets.
Year 10 and 12 Rheinland visit (June each year). On this fantastic trip, we stay in Boppard, a small village on the Rhine. We explore the local area which is famous for its quaint towns and villages and impressive castles overlooking the river Rhine.
We have also been fortunate to be invited to take part in the Ashford Twinning Alliance visits to Bad Münstereifel and students in Year 13 have represented the Borough and given formal presentations.