MFL - German - further details

In year 7, our key aims are as follows:

• To introduce and consolidate the phonetic rules of German
• To lay the foundation for a comprehensive grammatical understanding of German and the key ways in which it differs from English
• To create confidence in speaking

With these aims in mind, we have created a curriculum which exploits every opportunity for speaking and hearing German and gives students something they want to say. We are also mindful of the need to create a curriculum which complements their studies in French without covering the same topic areas or creating confusion. We cover the following topics:

Half Term One: Hello, it’s me! (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Two: Animals (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Three: My family (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Four: My favourite character (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Four: My friendship group (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Five: Film Study – ‘das Wunder von Bern’ (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Year 8

In year 8, our key aims are as follows:

• To develop students’ growing confidence in speaking
• To develop confidence and accuracy in writing
• To build on the foundation of grammatical understanding with a focus on verb formation
• To develop an awareness and appreciation of culture in the German speaking world

To achieve these aims, we move the focus from talking about the self in year 7 to talking about other people in year 8, exploiting every opportunity to talk about what makes the German speaking world special whilst continuing to give the students meaningful reasons to communicate by discussing their own experiences and opinions. We cover the following topics:

Half Term One: The German Speaking World (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Two: Festivals (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Three: Trends (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Four: Free Time (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Five: School (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Six: My Ideal School (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Year 9

In year 9, our key aims are as follows:

• To continue to develop students’ confidence and accuracy in speaking and writing
• To begin to speak and write for a range of purposes
• To deepen students’ grammatical understanding with a focus on the case system
• To deepen students’ awareness and appreciation of culture in the German speaking world

As students move into year 9, we are keenly aware of their developing interests as teenagers and particularly their passion for local and global issues. Along with their now very strong understanding of the German language and ability to manipulate it for their own purposes, this allows us to create topics with meaningful cross curricular links which lay the foundation for a life-long love of the language. We cover the following topics:

Half Term One: Local and Global Environmental Issues (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Two: The Environment in Germany (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Three: Berlin and its History (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Four: Buildings and Architecture (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Five: Music and Media (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Half Term Six: Film Study – ‘Sophie Scholl, die Letzten Tage’ (see a pupil-friendly curriculum plan here)

Key Stage 4 

In years 10 and 11, we work towards the Edexcel Higher GCSE (full specification can be read here), however in keeping with our curriculum intent, we have created a curriculum which ensures academic success in this qualification whilst fostering a love of the culture and meaningful fluency.

Year 10

In year 10, our key aims are as follows:

• To continue to develop students’ confidence and accuracy in speaking and writing
• To speak and write for a range of purposes and be able to apply this to exam style questions
• To deepen students’ grammatical understanding with a focus on complex tenses and structures
• To deepen students’ awareness and appreciation of culture in the German speaking world

In year 10, we begin working towards the Edexcel Higher GCSE (full specification can be read here), however in keeping with our curriculum intent, we have created a curriculum which ensures academic success in this qualification whilst fostering a love of the culture and meaningful fluency. We cover the following topics:

Half Term One: Role Models

Half Term Two: Famous Germans

Half Term Three: Healthy Living

Half Term Four: Global Events in the German Speaking World

Half Term Five: Tourism in Germany

Half Term Six: Holiday Plans

Year 11

In year 11, our key aims are as follows:

• To prepare students fully for the GCSE examinations
• To begin to move towards fluency in speaking and writing
• To prepare students fully for the beginning of the A level course
• To continue to deepen students’ awareness and appreciation of culture in the German speaking world

In year 11, although we are very focused on supporting pupils to achieve their GCSE, we are also determined that this does not mean that there is no time to go beyond the syllabus and create opportunities to prompt discussion on areas which students are passionate about and to continue broadening their cultural awareness of the German speaking world. We cover the following topics:

Half Term One: Film study - ‘Goodbye Lenin’

Half Term Two: Mock preparation, Mock Examinations, Feedback and Target Setting

Half Term Three: Revision of Identity and Culture, Home and Local Area Themes

Half Term Four: Revision of School, Study, Future Plans and Work Themes

Half Term Five: Exam Preparation and Speaking Exams