German in the English Primary Department is taught by native speakers and is used almost exclusively as the language of instruction. The students are totally immersed in the language during these classes.
Our German programme is aligned to the “European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment”
The aim is for all students to reach at least A1 level before the end of Primary.
All levels have three main target areas:
(1) Understanding: Listening, Reading
(2) Speaking
(3) Writing
Description of the A1 Level
| A1 | Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
Quoted from: “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”, Council of Europe, 2011
Lower Primary (Y02 and Y03)
Students at this level use the narrative approach to learning German. “Bärenspaß 1” is the text used and the book is based on observations made when studying the acquisition of a mother tongue. This approach uses the exceptional readiness of this age to listen and imitate. The repeated telling of and listening to stories gives students the chance to get used to hearing German. This intensive listening phase is followed by the acquisition of selected speech structures. These structures take the everyday world of the students into account.
Using German as much as possible in the classroom as the main language of instruction gives the students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language in each lesson. In addition, worksheets, vocabulary and grammar structures are introduced in order to build a foundation for the students’ language learning. The aim is to work towards the ‘Bärenspaß-Diplom’ (Diploma), which marks the completion of ‘Bärenspaß 1’.
In addition to the language books, there is an interactive support on the webpage called „Deutsch im Netz“. Here, the students can listen to all the stories from ‘Bärenspaß 1’ in German. It also gives the students the opportunity to practise the different exercises online.
Upper Primary (Y04 – Y06)
After the ‘Bärenspaß-Diplom’ in Year 4 is finished the students are introduced to ‘Bärenspaß 2 – Aufbaustufe’. This consists of a textbook and a workbook. In Year 4 and Year 5 the students are introduced to the main grammatical structures of the German language. The focus is on the different word classes / word types (= nouns, verbs, adjectives etc. = Wortarten), parts of speech and sentence structures. Therefore the students work with the new workbook and get formally introduced to the vocabulary.
The main focus in Year 6 is to ensure that the students are well prepared for the transition into the Secondary. To this end, a new textbook is introduced in year 6 called “Ping Pong 1”. This series is continued in the secondary. To supplement the book, worksheets are used to extend vocabulary, introduce new grammar structures and complete comprehension tasks.
The Groups
Each class is divided into two language groups. Differentiation takes place in all classes, so that the abilities and challenges of individual students are taken into consideration.
Students new to GSIS
All students new to the programme in Year 3 and 4 are integrated into the regular language classes.
For the students new in Year 5 and 6 there are additional “Extra German” lessons, which are compulsory.
Assessment
Assessments given in Year 2 and Year 3 are based on exercises and tasks introduced in the regular classes and “Deutsch im Netz”. The students will be assessed in the of areas listening, comprehension, and speaking.
In Year 4 and onwards the assessments will be conducted on completion of each chapter. This main test focus is on the areas listening and understanding (“Hörverstehen”), reading (“Leseverstehen”), grammar (“Grammatik”) and writing (“Schreiben”).
In addition, the students have regular vocabulary tests and short tests focusing on particular grammar points. These assessments will be held periodically depending on the students’ progress. As a general rule, students will be informed of short tests and vocabulary tests 5 – 7 days in advance and for the main tests two weeks in advance.
Mandarin is introduced in Year Four and the curriculum is outlined below:
The Objectives
At GSIS Primary, the Chinese language curriculum is designed to develop the children’s ability in the four strands of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and the children will have practice in good measure from each of the these areas.
The Characters
The Chinese characters taught in GSIS are modern simplified characters.
The Groups
Students will be separated into four groups: Group 1 (EPD + GDP, Upper level), Group 2 ( EPD + GPD, Intermediate level), Group 3 ( EPD, Beginner level ), and Group 4 (GPD, Beginner level ).
- Group 1 is for students of both streams who have learnt Mandarin and have mastered at least 100 Chinese characters. The students are expected to conduct simple conversations in Chinese Mandarin.
- Group 2 is for students of both streams who have some Chinese learning experience, and have mastered at least 50 Chinese characters. Students joining this group are expected to understand simple Chinese questions.
- Group 3 is for students of English Stream with no or little Chinese learning experience.
- Group 4 is for students of German Stream with no or little Chinese learning experience.
There will be a simple grouping test during the first lesson at the beginning of the school year.
The Learning Scope
The following areas will be tackled:
- Pinyin and the four tones: This is the Chinese phonetic system, and it is very useful to master the pronunciations and intonations.
- Listening and speaking: Daily conversations along with Rhymes and songs. The major topics under this part include:
- Greeting
- Self-introduction
- Counting
- Dates
- Family
- Colours
- Body parts
- School
- Reading and writing: this part of learning includes strokes, character formation, sentence making and paragraph writing as well as text readings.
Textbooks
“Chinese for Young Learners” : This is a Chinese Language book widely used in Singapore. This book is mainly for Group 1.
“My First Chinese Reader” : This is a book with focus on oral Chinese and is mainly for Group 2-4;
Note: We review the textbooks being used and introduce new ones from time to time.
Assessment
Assessment on all learning parts will be held periodically. Teachers responsible for each group will set the time and contents for the assessment. The students will be informed in advance and will be given enough time for revision.
