Guten Tag!
'Mein Hobby ist Fussball’
If you understand this phrase, you already know some German!
Many German words are similar to or the same as English:
‘Tennis’, ‘Student’, ‘Haus’, ‘Universität’, ‘Party’, ‘Bier’
Do you know any of these famous German brands?
BMW, Mercedes, Bosch, Siemens, Müller Rice
So why learn German?
A recent newspaper report stated that having a degree in German makes you the fourth-most employable person in the country! So why the need for German? Germany is arguably the most influential country in Europe and its industry is powerful throughout the world. Exporting firms need linguists, whilst importers need people who can converse on the phone and by E-mail with their foreign partners. Of course, you may just want to visit Berlin, Munich, the Black Forest or the Alps, visit the Salzburg Music Festival in Austria or go skiing in Switzerland!
What sort of language is German?It is very closely connected with English and many words are the same or similar. Moreover German is an easy language to spell because it is phonetic: you write the words as you say them.
How is German taught at Latymer?Like all modern languages it is taught and tested through 4 skill areas. We do a lot of oral work (as stated above, if you know how to pronounce a word, you can usually spell it); we practise comprehension skills, listening and reading, and we learn how to write it. In the first year we cover the topic areas of family and pets, home, school, hobbies, food and drink, daily routine, shopping and finding your way around a town. Work is assessed throughout the year (there are no end-of-year exams) and all pupils write a project in German about themselves based on the topic areas above, including photos and pictures (many use a PC to do this). We also learn a lot about German-speaking Europe.
Later on in Year 10, there will be the opportunity to go on an exchange visit to Gladbeck in the Ruhr district, and to visit Bad Homburg during the AS or A level courses in years 12/13. All sixth form students receive individual oral tuition from a native speaker. The choice of university courses in German includes ones combining the language with subjects as diverse as Law, Tourism, Maths, Engineering, Business and Design - many of which involve a work placement abroad. The ability to communicate in German is a highly prized skill.