Language PerfectThis year we hope that some students will take part in Language Perfect again. It’s an online website where students can test their German knowledge in competition with other students around the world. Stay tuned for details on how to enrol through German Saturday School.

We are now a DSD and PASCH schoolWe have been awarded accreditation from the German Federal Office of Administration, so we are now an accredited DSD-school. DSD stands for Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German Language Certificate). This is an internationally recognized examination for German Language and the GSS can now offer students the opportunity to sit the exam at the A2/B1 level. The exam is free of charge to all students.

Only schools that place great value on teaching German with high quality instruction can be granted a DSD accreditation. We are extremely proud to have joined this club.

At the same time the GSS has joined a global school network worldwide where German language is highly valued – the PASCH network. PASCH stands for “Schools: Partners for the Future” or in German “Schulen: Partner für die Zukunft”.

PASCH schools are entitled to receive staff and equipment support, advice and qualification, networking as well as language and study scholarships for their students and teachers.

Important Dates

German Saturday School Gold Street / Clifton Hill Primary www.germansaturdayschool.org.au

German Saturday School

– Family News –

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Term 2 dates:– 18th April – 27 June 2015.

– Please note that there will be no classes on Saturday 25th April (Anzac Day).

NEWS

Edition 1 –

2015

Bringing German language and culture to your children

Possessive Pronoun

“sein” oder “ihr” –

“Wann” oder “wenn”

“Der” “Die” oder “Das” ?

The GSS – Swap Meet –

Coming up in Term 2! A great way to swap or sell

your German language books, dvd and games.

More information coming at the start of Term 2.

Highlights and OverviewWe are learning German through the Immersion Language Programme, which means that the teacher speaks only in the German Language and does not provide an explanation in English – as is the case in a Bilingual Programme. This way our preps become familiar with the spoken language by listening and reciprocating.

This term the preps are learning through songs and games and the emphasis on language is through constant repetition. They complete “show and tell” each week and do numerous workbook activities through colouring and creative art.

The children are not expected to engage in a lot of writ-ing or reading at this stage of the programme.

A typical day for us begins on the mat for ‘circle time’ including singing “Guten Morgen”, the Good morning song. Each week a new theme is introduced for the day.

Then at the end of every day we go back to circle time and discuss “what did we learn today” and a play a closing off game and read a story.

This term we have made it a priority to get to know one another in the classroom and help each other with tasks and language questions. This helps the children to feel included and supported by their fellow students as well as their teachers throughout the year.

Children are to bring one German book each week with them to class to share and show and tell.

Teacher Information Teacher : Stephanie Iwanowicz (Bed.1994, Melb Uni)

Stephanie is also involved with the Holiday and Sunday School programmes at the Deutsche Lutherische Dreifaltigkeits-Kirche in East Melbourne.

Assistant: Karina – a fluent German Speaker

Prep Klasse

German Saturday School – Family News – Edition 1, 2015

www.germansaturdayschool.org.au

Stephanie Iwanowicz

It’s been a great first term.We have had loads of fun learning how to introduce ourselves, how to respond to simple questions about ourselves, talk about our hobbies and our family.

We also learnt to talk about school, customs in Germa-ny, colours, numbers and sports. Phew – what a term!

Language learning is about interacting and engaging – we play language games, communicate with each other, listen to German CD’s, sing songs, read stories and poems.

I try to teach the kids that they are responsible for their own language learning process and that the teacher is a guide who motivates them. It is important to under-stand the relevance of learning German. I try to do this by getting my students to envision themselves one day speaking and experiencing German culture. This will open doors exposing them to a new and rich culture and therefore I believe they are more likely to learn with enthusiasm and joy.

How can you learn a language best?

> The more you speak the language, the easier it will become.

> Study every day: Athletes and musicians know the importance of practice. It is the same with language learning.

> Learn and review (new) vocabulary: you could make flash cards. Write the German word on one side of each card and the English on the other.

> Be prepared to make mistakes – you can learn from the mistakes you make!

> Study out loud: Talk or read aloud while you are studying.

> Use German outside of class: find somebody who speaks German or skype with your relatives/friends from Germany on a regular basis.

Teacher Information Teacher: Tabea Kraska-Eleftheria Assistant: Kieran Macfarlane

Grades 3, 4 & 5

German Saturday School – Family News – Edition 1, 2015

www.germansaturdayschool.org.au

Tabea Kraska-Eleftheria

Welcome to first term!This term our Grade 4 to 7 class has been focusing on topics such as clothing, fashion and descriptions. We have tried to expand our vocabulary through opposites and extensive collections of nouns. Through these topics, we have consolidated our understanding of basic German grammar rules, which will create a solid base for future learning.

We have used our precious time together to build a supportive and positive learning environment, which will allow us to confidently work together. This is done through collaborative learning and games. Pictured here is one of our favourite games: Schnapp Mich. This very versatile game is a class favourite. Children find a spot in the classroom as their starting point. The Teacher then asks a series of questions - translation, comprehension, math, spelling, current topical discussions. Students who answer a question correctly may take a step, and try to get other students out by tapping them on the shoulder. The last student wins!

The students are in the process of forming important bonds and friendships with our new class members, as well as myself, and are now able to lead our learning according to their own needs and interests.

I am looking forward to future learning and discoveries throughout the year.

Danke! Lisa-Marie Schneehage.

Teacher Information Teacher : Lisa-Marie Schneehage - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Monash University

Lisa-Marie also teaches German at Hillcrest Christian College in Clyde North.

Grades 4, 5, 6 & 7

German Saturday School – Family News – Edition 1, 2015

www.germansaturdayschool.org.au

Lisa-Marie Schneehage

Welcome to first term!We have 16 students this year ranging from Year 9 – Year 11 and we have started the new year with the topic of Ferien/Urlaub to link in with the students’ personal experiences over the Christmas break.

We have been consolidating vocabulary around types of holidays, accommodation options, the airport experience and tourism, while students have also considered their ideal holiday. The students are viewing the German Kinohit “Türkisch für Anfänger” as a film text for this topic because it explores and subverts the idea of the Traumurlaub through the experiences of stranded German/Turkish /Greek teenagers awaiting rescue on a tropical island while their parents are also coming to grips with their own cultural and demographic issues! The film is also extending the students´ Urlaub vocabulary, understanding of Jugendsprache and their aural understanding.

We are analysing a short story by Leonhard Thoma “Mein Haus, dein Haus”, which contrasts the experi-ence of German tourists in Morocco and a Moroccan living in Germany while offering discussion about neighbours, German housing and cultural differences. Our language assistant Tamara presented on her recent trip to Morocco and the students enjoyed seeing her wonderful photos and souvenirs.

The grammar topics include revision of the perfect tense and revision of the NOM, ACC, DAT and GEN cases and prepositions. The students have so far engaged with a variety of text types including an Urlaubstyp quiz, postcards, airport announcements, a short story, film, Steckbrief (personal profile), and a fictitious personal recount or life story.

Teacher Information DSD 1 / pre-VCE class Teacher: Dr Jill Reid Assistant: Tamara Anders

Grades 9, 10 & 11

German Saturday School – Family News – Edition 1, 2015

www.germansaturdayschool.org.au

Jill Reid