German Department
German is chosen as an option to begin in Lower IV (Year 8). The head of department is a semi-national who has taught and lived in Germany, and is supported by a full language national. There is also additional help from German students from the University who come in occasionally to provide extra practice in speaking and listening. The department enjoys good feedback from inspection reports and the pupils and students achieve good grades in examinations.
The German department adopts a lively, modern approach, using communicative methods and the regular practice of all four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). All course books, covering many pupil-centred topics, are supplemented by the use of Information technology.
In keeping with the times, computers play an increasingly greater role in delivering the curriculum and our Language Laboratories have been replaced with a Multi Media Suite whose chief purpose is to help MFL pupils improve their listening and speaking skills. We employ a technician whose role is to be present in lessons and support teachers as they become more familiar with the many new possibilities of this technology. In addition, all language rooms are equipped with excellent sound systems.
The German department participates in an annual German exchange, for all year groups, with a trip to Würzburg (Franconia), Germany in April. In turn, we host our German exchange partners at the end of October.
A trip to the German Christmas market over a long weekend in early December is enjoyed by Lower and Upper IV and the AS and A level students participate in a German Conference Day each March.
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