German Focus Group by https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2 en-us 2021-06-19 13:08:01 UTC 2022-05-24 15:29:45 UTC hello@padlet.com Teach German via English, show the links and explain the reasons for the similarities, simplify grammar - strip it right back and focus on what they really need to know according to age and stage https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881009 2022-05-24 15:17:15 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881009 Start with cognates and pronunciation to prove how good they sound and how easy it can be! Also let them see how many German companies they already know. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881497 2022-05-24 15:17:34 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881497 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881632 Accessible and progressive language.  Focus on function and transaction - language for communication.  

Links to own language and making comparisons and highlighting differences.]]> 2022-05-24 15:17:40 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881632 I show lots of cognates at the start of new topics and we talk about patterns in spelling e.g. sh sound = Sch, K becomes a C https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881986 2022-05-24 15:17:56 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197881986 This very much depends on the school timetable. Not much I can do I am afraid other than highlighting the relevance of learning a MFL for the world of work. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197882271 2022-05-24 15:18:07 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197882271 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197882463 We have a link with a school in Germany - school exchange prior to Covid. We also have a GET (German assistant) each year who works 6 hrs a week with primaries and 6 hours at high school.]]> 2022-05-24 15:18:15 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197882463 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197882737 Teach pronunciation via numbers, easy rhymes and demonstrate largely phonetic character of German pronunciation]]> 2022-05-24 15:18:27 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197882737 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197883165 We always start with an introductory lesson on cognates to show the links between German and English. ]]> 2022-05-24 15:18:43 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197883165 I always tell pupils how logical the language is. They just need to follow the rules. Pronunciation is straightforward. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197883217 2022-05-24 15:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197883217 Reinforce similarities with English. Stress how similar the pronunciation is to the Scottish accent. Use knowledge organisers to support students and codify learning. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197883408 2022-05-24 15:18:53 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197883408 We have German in a wider achievement column as well as in columns for N4/5/Higher. Some pupils opt for this if they like the language but it hasn't quite fitted into their timetable. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197884219 2022-05-24 15:19:18 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197884219 We offer a taster session to pupils and focus on a lot of the cognates, compound nouns and the pronunciation being easier for Scottish people etc. We also place a focus on German speaking companies so that pupils understand that taking the subject is not just about the language, but a cultural knowledge too. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197884460 2022-05-24 15:19:28 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197884460 There is not much I can do - we have no PT MFL and staff shortage in general. As long as I have them three periods in S1, they will make progress towards Level 3/4 in S3 as they should. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197884527 2022-05-24 15:19:32 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197884527 suzanneritchie https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885364 Show the relevance of German in the real world - where German can take you, why it is so useful, highlight areas such as tourism, but also science and engineering (German's strong economy means that a lot of R&D is carried out in German). Personal stories of my own experience, too. Always welcome a GET to the dept so pupils have contact to a Waschechte German speaker!]]> 2022-05-24 15:20:03 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885364 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885421 MLFLW Award in S3, as stepping stone for N4/5, followed by unit on films to motivate students interested in history (Sophie Scholl, 13 minutes, die Welle)]]> 2022-05-24 15:20:05 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885421 use links (Goethe, UK GC, GET student) and promote via S3 Careers Event and German Exchange. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885682 2022-05-24 15:20:16 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885682 I try to push the employability factor, with the transferable skills which linguists have. The work experience exchange is usually pretty popular with H/AH candidates. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885788 2022-05-24 15:20:20 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197885788 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886344 Communication and links to real life experiences. Focus on skill development and encourage talking. ]]> 2022-05-24 15:20:39 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886344 Careers information (UK and overseas), internships in Scotland and German, job opportunities with German, guest speaker programme, which universities offer German, which subjects you can study with German. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886418 2022-05-24 15:20:43 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886418 We usually have a GET every year. They work with smaller groups on spoken tasks and activities e.g. Guess Who, Snakes and Ladders. They have also helped us develop listening materials where we have been lacking in the past. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886517 2022-05-24 15:20:47 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886517 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886903 Not German specifically but Why Learn Languages? lessons are embedded in our course plan. We also have DYW inserts which look at specific careers using languags and ways in which you can combine languages with other courses. ]]> 2022-05-24 15:21:00 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197886903 Simple thought ... just make things as fun and exciting as possible. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887141 2022-05-24 15:21:10 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887141 German is L2 in our cluster. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887166 2022-05-24 15:21:11 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887166 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887179 visits to all PS during exam leave is a very positive approach, offering CLPL German for PS teachers at twilight sessions. ]]> 2022-05-24 15:21:11 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887179 Each year, and this year finally in-person again (fingers crossed), the GI Glasgow organises an Introduction Day for the GETs/German Language Assistants. We work in close cooperation with the BC and GET. Would love to hear input from you about how best to prepare/support the Language Assistants. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887411 2022-05-24 15:21:21 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887411 We have a subject specialist in our biggest cluster primary, we use a GET in the small ones and at the moment are lucky enough to have some German speaking primary teachers too. They also do a lot of cultural lessons. We teach two periods of French and two of German in S1. Stuck as to how to make it work over 3 periods in S2 though.... https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887620 2022-05-24 15:21:30 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887620 Staffing/Timetabling https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887753 This would require staff in feeder primary schools having a knowledge of German. It could be possible for German teachers in the High School to go into the primaries to offer lessons. This would be, again, dependent on staffing and timetable constraints in the High School for German to be offered as the L3 in the primaries.]]> 2022-05-24 15:21:35 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197887753 suzanneritchie https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888088 I received incredible support from the GI as a Higher and Advanced Higher pupil - outreach sessions for German pupils are a great motivator, especially for the keen beans.]]> 2022-05-24 15:21:47 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888088 We are trying to link more closely with our cluster primaries now to ensure a common course which will include both French and German. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888271 2022-05-24 15:21:54 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888271 Information about joint degrees with German and where one can study German in Scotland/North of England. Do any colleges offer German/MFL as a Language for Work and Life award? https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888837 2022-05-24 15:22:17 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888837 Could apply for a German assistant to work with the primaries. Secondary teachers and Snr pupils of German going down to primaries to offer taster sessions, German transition events at High School. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888855 2022-05-24 15:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197888855 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197889092 We are fortunate enough to still have a GET student next year. We will re-start pupil exchanges, organised by class teachers, parents etc. We are planning trip to Berlin in 2023.]]> 2022-05-24 15:22:26 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197889092 We are moving towards using E.P.I methodology to try to encourage learners. We have been trying out self-quizzing homework this year. We have been working hard on retrieval practice, especially with our starters. We have been using knowledge organisers and sentence builders, as well as games like Blooket, Quizlet and Kahoot. Sadly, it hasn't helped our uptake this year. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197889558 2022-05-24 15:22:39 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197889558 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197889867 We do an exchange in S3 and have had to do it virtually for the past two years.  Hoping to have it up and running next year again.  The kids do work experience and go to school.  They really start seeing the relevance of language learning.

We get a GET every year and have had FLAs over the past 6 years.]]> 2022-05-24 15:22:44 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197889867 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197890043 Hoping to reestablish a link which tailed off due to a reluctance on our pupils' parts to take part in a traditional exchange.   Sadly Language Assistants have long since disappeared here. ]]> 2022-05-24 15:22:52 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197890043 Some up to date modern videos about why learning German is useful but also just a great thing to do! There used to be a fab video about two guys who were working for BMW. I would love some jazzy cultural videos as well, something to sell Germany/A/S as great places to visit and work and live in. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197890394 2022-05-24 15:23:04 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197890394 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197891390 What can Goethe do for schools in Aberdeenshire that cannot take pupils for day trip to Glasgow due to distance. Does German Adventure transition game still exist?]]> 2022-05-24 15:23:41 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197891390 Language Links https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197891551 Highlight, where applicable, the language similarities between English and German.]]> 2022-05-24 15:23:48 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197891551 Having a wee experiment with EPI and Mr Conti to see how that works. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197892416 2022-05-24 15:24:18 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197892416 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197893300 what about local events like we had at Keith Grammar School years ago? To ensure not everything is focused on Central Belt?]]> 2022-05-24 15:24:37 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197893300 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197893956 SQA support would be helpful e.g. LFLW @Level 6 assessments are in French and Spanish only. 


]]> 2022-05-24 15:24:55 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197893956 Lack of opportunity for German degrees at university. Most pupils would like to combine degrees with German. Wonder if the university would consider a less academic course at university, focussing on communication which can easily be combined with other degree courses for some credits - possibly in collaboration with the GI? https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197894140 2022-05-24 15:25:03 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197894140 suzanneritchie https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197894287 I had contact with a German school in Bavaria. Our initial contact was by smail mail and the pupils were VERY excited to receive their first pack of letters. It quickly moved online (outwith my control, nature of pupil communications now) and resulted in a German exchange for S3/4 pupils. Had I still been in school, I would have maintained this via an online project tying in with "wo ich wohne" in anticipation of the next exchange. Having a trip was very motivating!

]]> 2022-05-24 15:25:09 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197894287 We have a school exchange with our twin town Ingolstadt and also a work experience exchange with a school near Frankfurt. Sadly we don't have language assistants but I've used a Uni student in the past with small groups. That was pre-Covid. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895036 2022-05-24 15:25:29 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895036 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895414 Access to relevant and engaging materials focussing on culture and employability - pitched at the right level.]]> 2022-05-24 15:25:45 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895414 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895455 Has anyone got experience with MLFLW Award level 5/6?]]> 2022-05-24 15:25:47 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895455 suzanneritchie https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895735 German was taught in P5 in my cluster and the primary classes shared in the High School's GET time, which pupils loved.]]> 2022-05-24 15:25:57 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895735 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895761 We have had a German language assistant in school working with senior and BGE pupils for the past two years, which has helped our uptake.
Organise trips to the German market at Christmas time to show how German culture is quite literally on the doorstep (not just in Germany).]]> 2022-05-24 15:25:57 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895761 https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895883 Help with accessing speakers e.g. for DYW events]]> 2022-05-24 15:26:03 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197895883 We have had GETs, and they have been brilliant. We did have a trip lined up but then Covid happened. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197896227 2022-05-24 15:26:11 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197896227 Also lack of NQTs with German coming through the system. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197896342 2022-05-24 15:26:16 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197896342 We have Exchange school in Konstanz. Mutual annual visits. Link with another school in Potsdam for BGE classes to use as penpals, which was remnant from E-Twinning. GET student every year - works with small groups and does some lunchtime music/culture lessons. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197896529 2022-05-24 15:26:25 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197896529 I try to focus on the employability benefits too. We also offer German in the expressive arts column as well as the modern languages column, which helps with uptake! https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897058 2022-05-24 15:26:40 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897058 Short staffed - so would like to explore other pedagogies when time allows https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897300 2022-05-24 15:26:48 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897300 We have an exchange school near Stuttgart, but our exchange is on hold due to Covid. We hope to restart in 2023. We struggle to get students to take part though. There is lots of competition from other trips abroad, which are seen as "safer options" by students. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897338 We have had a GET in our cluster for several years, but don't think this will continue as we have heard that the funding has ended. Some pupils enjoyed working in small groups with the GET, others found it too intimidating.]]> 2022-05-24 15:26:49 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897338 We're looking for help to develop resources for primary classes as well as AH. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897959 2022-05-24 15:27:08 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197897959 suzanneritchie https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197900271 I tried to use writing frames to help with sentence production to increase confidence and demystify word order.

]]> 2022-05-24 15:28:44 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197900271 Careers information/ employment opportunities. Pupils don't see the relevance for their future and we would love to change this perception. We don't seem to be part of a career path - the resources seem to be going into STEAM subjects. https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197900331 2022-05-24 15:28:47 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197900331 Listening materials - Particularly for BGE! We only have textbook listenings and some made by GETs https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197900385 2022-05-24 15:28:49 UTC https://padlet.com/shonahugh/4elzw2ywuczywto2/wish/2197900385