German
'A different language is a different vision of life' (Federico Fellini)
Pupils can choose to learn German from Year 9. Pupils who opt for German benefit from small group sizes and an accelerated introduction to the language in preparation for continuing with the subject into Key Stages 4 and 5.
In Year 9
Pupils begin to develop the four key skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. These skills are introduced through the topics of:
- Introducing self and others
- School
- Free time and hobbies
- House and home
In Years 10 and 11 (GCSE AQA)
Pupils build on the work they have done in Year 9 and continue to develop the four key skills. At GCSE pupils build upon some Key Stage 3 topics and are introduced to new ones. The topics are:
- Leisure (free time and the media/holidays)
- Work and education (school, college and future plans/current and future plans)
- Lifestyle (relationships and choices/health)
- Home and local environment (environment/home and local area)
Pupils have two hours of taught time per week and individual sessions with the foreign language assistant.
In Years 12 and 13 (GCE AQA)
Students of German in the sixth form quickly notice a dramatic improvement in their understanding and ability to communicate. At this level students study German intensely, both in the classroom and through private study.
The topics for AS level are:
- Media
- Popular culture
- Healthy living and lifestyles
- Family and relationships
The topics for A2 level are:
- The environment
- The multicultural society
- Contemporary social issues
- Two cultural topics
Students have 4-5 hours of lesson time and an individual lesson with the Foreign Language Assistant each week. Students are expected to follow up this work with private study of at least an equivalent time.
Additional Support
The German department is lucky enough to have a German native speaker each year who offers one-to-one lessons with our pupils to help improve speaking and listening skills and to offer a unique perspective into German language and culture.
Facilities
At Westholme pupils have a wide range of resources open to them to help them improve their language learning. The library is host to a designated Languages Computer Suite and each Language has a designated classroom. All Language classrooms have interactive whiteboards. Each pupil is given their own text book at the beginning of the year.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
An important part of learning a language is being exposed to the culture and people of the country. At Westholme we endeavour to give pupils every opportunity to use their language and find out about all aspects of German culture in ‘real’ situations – from food to music, from fashion to theatre, cinema and literature. All pupils in Years 11-13 can take part in our European cinema club which takes place on a weekly basis. The German department has recently organised a weekend long visit to the German Christmas markets in Cologne and is the process of offering a visit to Berlin, in conjunction with the History department. Students in the Sixth Form can take part in work experience in Germany or in a German speaking country.
Westholme's new Senior Boys' School from September 2012!
