Year 8 German

Brief summary of the syllabus:

During Year 8 pupils will cover ten units in the textbook Na klar! 1. This will be the main source of homework and class work; however, lessons are also taught using various materials, such as tapes, flashcards, OHPs, computer software, readers and supplementary worksheets, developing all four language skills. There is an emphasis on the use of the target language from the outset and opportunities are provided for reading aloud, answering questions in German, pair work and group work to practise rôle-plays and to develop co-operative and interactive skills. The listening and speaking skills will be developed further by listening intently first to the teacher speaking German and to other listening materials such as authentic audio and videotapes used in class. Reading in German is also an integral part of the course, moving swiftly from understanding single words in a familiar context to reading short texts and dialogues. Grammar is treated systematically from the beginning of the course and will help with pupils' own writing skills. Besides learning the language concentrating on the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, pupils will also gain an insight into the culture of the German-speaking peoples throughout the world.

What skills/attributes are being developed and examined?

• Listening: Understanding longer passages in German, made up of familiar language spoken at normal speed
• Speaking: Taking part in simple structured conversations, supported by visuals or other cues
• Reading: Understanding short passages and simple factual texts in German by using context to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar language
• Writing: Producing longer passages in German, drawing largely on memorised language
• Developing cultural awareness in pupils and broadening their horizons

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What can parents expect to see in class work and homework specifically?

Class work and homework include a great variety of different exercises and tasks. Vocabulary lists, gap-fill exercises, matching-up exercises, grammar drill tasks, letters and working with longer creative passages are all part of a modern languages lesson.

Homework is set once a week and takes the form of a writing and/or learning task. The regular learning of vocabulary is paramount and will be tested once a week. Pupils are expected to present their work neatly and accurately.

What can parents do to help in this subject at this stage?

• Create a suitable environment for homework and show interest in their child's study of German
• Check in the homework diary that homework is being done and to an acceptable standard
• Support their son by purchasing additional materials such as a dictionary (Collins Easy Learning German Dictionary), language-specific computer software and magazines
• Encourage their son to take part in the study trips to Germany

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Setting and Course Schedule:

Setting takes place three times a year, after each end-of-term examination. Setting is based on the half-term test scores averaged out. In borderline cases the following are taken into account:

• Oral performance
• The ability to recognise and apply grammatical concepts
• The ability to deal with the unpredictable
• Standards of homework and class work
• Vocabulary test scores
• Overall effort

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Test:

There will be five half-term tests in German, and the results from these tests will determine the setting arrangements for Year 8. The half-term tests will be mainly on the units covered during that particular half-term period, although parts of previous units might re-appear. Each half-term test covers listening, reading and writing, and the summer test also assesses speaking skills.

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Pupil Target-setting

Subject teachers provide oral and written feedback on both homework and class work, and boys must look over their work carefully to see how they can improve. Action points will be outlined in exercise books and boys must incorporate these into their target-setting for the subject. In order to increase vocabulary, pupils should aim to learn a few words every night and keep a record of them.

It is important to remember that vocabulary cannot be learnt at the last moment, but that it is a continual process from day one of the course.

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Revision:

It is important to revise regularly and to follow a routine! Revise a little at a time and often. You cannot cram languages for an examination. In a skill-based subject like German, where your performance is measured, you will improve your performance by practice. The regular learning of vocabulary is paramount and pupils will be tested on new words once a week.

ÜBUNG MACHT DEN MEISTER = PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

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Upper band grade descriptor:

By Year 8 pupils will be expected to be working at National Curriculum level 4:

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Progression up to level 4:

During the first year of learning German you should have progressed:

• From being able to identify single words or items to being able to respond to short instructions.
• From being able to imitate and respond briefly to being able to initiate speaking to a limited degree in the spoken language.
• From being able to respond to individual words in context to beginning to read independently.
• From being able to copy single words to being able to produce short, memorised sentences.

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