Curriculum Journey
This is a map to show the learning journey in French from year 6 through to further education and possible careers.
Overview of the learning journey in German
Year 7
Introduction To Germany & The German Language
In Year 7, students are simultaneously introduced to the German language and the German culture. The Present Tense is discovered, using both regular verbs (‘wohnen’, ‘machen’, ‘gehen’) and irregular verbs (‘haben’ and ‘sein’). Connectives (‘und’, ‘aber’, ‘oder’) and intensifiers (‘sehr’, ‘ziemlich’, ‘ganz’) are introduced, allowing students to form simple sentences across all four disciplines. Giving an opinion with a range of positive and negative ideas is explained. The masculine, feminine and neuter genders are defined and students are taught how to use a bilingual dictionary. Regular pronunciation practise is encouraged to promote confidence. Grammar is within the realms of topic related vocabulary.
Year 8
Vocabulary & Grammar Learning
Both the Past Tense (Imperfect and Perfect) and Future Tense (using ‘werden’ plus an infinitive) are introduced, as well as Modal Verbs (including ‘können’, ‘dürfen’, and ‘müssen’). This gives students a range of tenses, with which to develop their German writing skills. Giving an opinion is enhanced through the use of reasons (using ‘denn’ and ‘weil’), and complex sentences are encouraged through the continued use of connectives and intensifiers, using topic related vocabulary, and including the use of questioning, particularly within speaking exercises. The Comparative is explained, using ‘er’ and ‘als’.
Year 9
Language Development
Present, Past, Future and Conditional Tenses continue to be revised and developed, with the use of Reflexive and Separable Verbs. Definite and Indefinite Articles are revisited, along with revision of the Nominative, Accusative, Dative and Genitive Cases. Complex structured sentences are encouraged, utilising pre-learned high frequency words, connectives, intensifiers, negation, opinions and reasons. Simultaneously, Possessive Adjectives, Adverbs and Relative Pronouns are identified and used with translating exercises, whilst using topic related vocabulary to develop skills across all four disciplines.
Year 10
GCSE Study
Use of a range of different tenses is developed even further, including the Conditional Tense and the Perfect Tense (using ‘haben’ and ‘sein’). Complex structured sentences continue to progress using Personal Pronouns and also using adjectives as nouns. Inversion (change of word order), idioms and uncommon language are also used, all within the four disciplines of language learning. Translating skills are actively encouraged via all four disciplines, particularly within writing, which logically leads to literary texts and the development of German culture. Topic related vocabulary is included throughout.
Year 11
GCSE Study
In Year 11, there is increased use of a range of different tenses, and increased emphasis on complex structured sentences, using high frequency words, connectives, intensifiers, idioms and uncommon language. Use of the Comparative continues as well as the use of ‘seit’ and ‘vor’. Questioning and giving opinions and justifications are actively encouraged, to help enable students to effectively extend their sentences and express themselves via the four disciplines of language learning. Translating skills are focussed on literary texts, such as newspaper articles in German, which may or may not be associated with the vocabulary topic, allowing students to further extend their vocabulary and grammar skills within German language learning.