Studying a language at Barnwell means opening minds and doorways to the wider world.
Our MFL building provides a vibrant and interactive learning space for students to develop an appreciation of diversity in other cultures and languages and foster a life-long love of language learning through a broad and structured curriculum, educational trips and cultural activities.
At Barnwell we aim to enable students to:
Barnwell is a certified Hub School, collaborating with NCELP, the National Centre of Excellence in Language Pedagogy.
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KS3 Subject: |
Y7 Content |
Y7 Key Assessment |
Y8 Content |
Y8 Key Assessment |
Y9 Content |
Y9 Key Assessment |
Autumn 1 |
Topic title
Unit 1: Introduction to German and Phonics
Unit 2: Basic Language and Conversational Skills
|
Formative Task: Cognates
Key Phonics
New characters
Short sentences
Summative Unit Test: Reading aloud/ Speaking
Formative Task:
Ask/ answer key questions – name, age, birthday etc
Full sentences
Summative Unit Test: Speaking/ Reading/ Translation |
Topic title Unit 1: Reviewing Key Concepts |
Formative Tasks:
Review Key Phonics
Improve dictionary skills
Genders/ articles
Pronouns
Haben/ sein
Negation
Plurals
Connectives
adjectives
Question forms Summative Unit Test: Phonics/Translation |
Topic title
Unit 1: Describing Family / friends/ relationships
|
Formative Tasks: Extend sentences and work with longer descriptions
Apply adjective endings
Use haben and sein accurately
Express opinions and reasons
Reflexive verbs
Relative clauses
Summative Unit Test:
Reading/ Writing
|
Autumn 2 |
Topic title Unit 3: Sentence Building and Formulating Questions
Pets/ Family |
Formative Task:
Genders/ articles
Pronouns
Simple connectives
Negation
Plurals
Colours/ adjectives
Possessive pronoun MY
Simple opinions
Summative Unit Test: Listening/ Reading |
Topic title
Unit 2:
Giving Opinions and Reasons
Food/drink |
Formative Task: Cultural Research (German food)
Apply range of time phrases
Revisit rule of inversion
Express preferences
Conjuctions weil, da, den
Opinion starters
Summative Unit Test: Listening/ Reading
|
Topic title
Unit 2:
Describing Events and Photos: Festivals and Celebrations
|
Formative Task:
Key festivals in German Speaking Countries
Understand detailed descriptions of events
Describe a photo
Produce extended opinions and reasons
Past tense – perfect with haben/ sein
Se some forms of the imperfect tense
Describe a past event
Summative Unit Test: Speaking/ Writing |
Spring 1 |
Topic title Unit 4: Extending Descriptions
|
Formative Task:
Use a range of adjectives+ intensifiers
Coordinating connectives
Subordinating connectives
Recognise different parts of a sentence
Deconstruct an extended text
Develop dictionary skills
Key verbs- haben/ sein
Apply modal verb mögen Summative Unit Test: Writing |
Topic title Unit 3: Sentence Structure and Verb Patterns
Leisure Activities/ Hobbies
|
Formative Task:
Review of question forms
Pronouns
Present Tense actions
Verb endings
Regular Verbs
Irregular Verbs
Negation of verbs
Extended sentences
Time phrases
Word order
Summative Unit Test: Reading/ Translation |
Topic title Unit 3:
Reviewing Tenses and Time Frames Leisure Activities |
Formative Task:
Use a variety of verbs
Apply time phrases with accurate word order
Express complex opinions
Interpret extended passages using 3 tenses
Refer to activities you do in 3 time frames
Produce a 90 word piece of writing
Summative Unit Test: Translation/ Writing |
Spring 2 |
Topic title
Unit 5: Improving Comprehension Skills & Developing Accuracy
Where you live
|
Formative Task:
Geographical knowledge of Germany (map)
Reading Strategies
Compound Nouns
Describe locations/ houses/ parts of the home
Revisit genders/ articles
Revisit use of kein
Apply structure to say what there is
Rule of inversion
Prepositions with the dative case
Summative Unit Test: Listening/ Reading |
Topic title
Unit 4:
Verbs: Present and Past Tenses
TV/ Film/ Leisure |
Formative Task:
Time phrases
Word order
Complex opinions
Present tense of key verbs
Recognition of past tense
Review haben/ sein/
Perfect tense construction
Opinions in past tense
Summative Unit Test:
Listening/ writing |
Topic title
Unit 4:
Improving Accuracy: New Technologies and Media |
Formative Task:
Discuss uses/ pros and cons of technology
Comparatives
Modal verbs
Complex structures- wenn/ dass etc.
Combine a range of tenses
Infer meaning from longer passages
Summative Unit Test: Reading and Translation |
Summer 1 |
Topic title Unit 6: Giving Opinions and Reasons
Food/ Drink |
Formative Task: Cultural Research (German food)
Apply range of time phrases
Revisit rule of inversion
Express preferences
Conjuctions weil, da, den
Opinion starters
Complex sentences
Present tense verb endings
Regular/ irregular verbs- essen/ trinken
Summative Unit Test: Listening/ Speaking |
Topic title Unit 5: Speaking about the future/ making plans |
Formative Task:
Cultural research- compare education system in Germany
Extended sentences
Opinions with dass
Comparatives
Modal verbs: müssen/ dürfen
Future Tense
Summative Unit Test: Speaking |
Topic title Unit 5:
Extended Text:
Healthy and unhealthy lifestyles
|
Use modal constructions
Use um..zu structure
Produce arguments for and against
Identify and produce 3 tenses with confidence
Role-play cards
Practise exam skills and techniques
Summative Unit Test: Speaking and listening |
Summer 2 |
Topic title Review of Core Grammar , Vocabulary and Phonics |
Formative Task:
Review core PVG
Summative Unit Test:
TBC |
Topic title Unit 6:
Consolidation of tenses |
Formative Task:
Present Past Future tenses
Review core PVG
Summative Unit Test:
TBC |
Topic title Unit 6: Film Unit:
Understanding and appreciating a film |
Formative Task:
Film specific vocabulary
Character analysis
Historical/ cultural references
Plot summaries and comprehension
Film reviews
Summative Unit Test: Writing a film review |
KS4 Course: |
Y10 Content |
Y10 Key Assessment |
Y11 Content |
Y11 Key Assessment |
Autumn 1 |
Topic title
Unit 1 Understanding Exam Criteria / Review of Theme 1 topics |
Formative Task: Picture descriptions
Translations (extended)
Bullet pointed writing
Extended descriptions
Opinions on family/ friends/ marriage
Recap of Leisure activities / celebrations
Reflexive verbs
Relative Clauses
Adjective endings
Possessive pronouns
Modal verbs
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. Foundation papers |
Topic title Work and Education
Building confidence in 3 tenses and complex structures |
Formative Task:
Discuss daily school life and rules
Differences between the German and British school system
Extended opinions and information on school, post 16 and future plans
Future careers
Future and conditional tense
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. All students attempting higher papers to ensure correct tier is in place for Summer exams |
Autumn 2 |
Unit 2: Technology in Everyday Life
|
Formative Task:
Uses, advantages and disadvantages of social media and mobile technology
Reading and listening for opinions
Understanding technical vocabulary
Using adverbs in writing
Rules of word order
Wenn clauses
Complex opinions with dass
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. |
Global issues
Build confidence in listening skills and reading authentic material |
What concerns us as individuals
Environmental problems and solutions
Eco friendly solutions in the home and local area
Weather
Modal verbs and conditional tense
Um…zu clauses
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. Students completing foundation or higher tier papers as appropriate |
Spring 1 |
Unit 3 Town/Home and environment
|
Formative Task: Present tense
Adjectives
Negative constructions
Relative clauses
Complex structures
Imperfect tense
Conditional tense
Extended writing
Complex structures
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. |
Topic title Preparation for speaking assessment
Building confidence with speaking skills |
Formative Task: Understanding the requirements for the speaking exam
Role-play card examples and practise
Photo card examples and practise
Responding to a range of questions based on themes 1, 2 and 3
Summative Unit Test: Speaking Exam
|
Spring 2 |
Unit 4 Holidays/ travel and tourism
Embedding 3 tenses and complex structures
|
Formative Task: Cultural research
Transactional language
Complex opinions and reasons
time-phrases
present tense activities
complex structures
narrating past events
Describing future events
Producing extended texts from memory
Exam style questions
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. |
Topic title Assessing gaps in knowledge: topic based
Revisiting core vocabulary for themes 1-3 |
Formative Task: Topic and grammar audits
Personalised audit homework tasks
Revisiting gaps in topic knowledge
Building listening and reading skills
Building vocabulary and core expressions
Exam practice and drilling of all themes in 4 skill areas
Summative Unit Test: All exams. Students completing foundation or higher tier papers as appropriate. |
Summer 1 |
Unit 5
Social / Global Issues
|
Formative Task:
Discussing healthy/ unhealthy living
Poverty and homelessness
Reading/ listening strategies
Applying tenses
Giving opinions
Summative Unit Test: Exam questions in all 4 skills. |
Topic title Assessing gaps in knowledge: grammar based
Revisiting essential grammar for exam papers
|
Formative Task: Revisiting all AQA grammar: Verbs Tenses Vocabulary Complex structures Opinions and justification
Producing 90 word written pieces on all 3 themes with confidence
Class moderation
Self-reflection and self-correction skills
Summative Unit Test: All exams. Students completing foundation or higher tier papers as appropriate. |
Summer 2 |
Topic title Assessing gaps in knowledge: topic based
Revisiting core vocabulary for themes 1-2 |
Formative Task: Topic and grammar audits
Revisiting gaps in topic knowledge
Building listening and reading skills
Building vocabulary and core expressions
Exam practice and drilling of all themes in 4 skill areas
Summative Unit Test: Year 10 Exams Students completing foundation or higher tier papers as appropriate. |
Topic title Exam Practice in all areas and revision of all themes
Consolidating grammar and skill techniques
|
Formative Task: Extensive exam practice and reflection
Drilling and exam-based activities
Individual targets and closing the gap
Summative Unit Test: All exams. Students completing foundation or higher tier papers as appropriate. |
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Topic title Being exam reading
Exam preparation |
Formative Task: Exam techniques
Final revision Summative Unit Test: Summer exams |
GCSE German has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier. All question papers must be taken in the same series.
Oral test: 7-9 minutes (Foundation tier)
Skill Assessed |
Weighting |
Task |
Duration |
Marks |
Unit 1: Listening |
25% |
Section A – questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally Section B – questions in German, to be answered in German or non-verbally No dictionaries.
|
35 mins (F) 45 mins (H) |
40 Marks (F)
50 Marks (H) |
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Unit 2: Speaking |
25% |
Role Play Photo card discussion Conversation No dictionaries. |
12 mins preparation 7-9 mins (F) 10-12 mins (H) |
60 marks |
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Unit 3: Reading |
25% |
Reading tasks with non-verbal and written responses, including one translation task from German into English No dictionaries. |
45 Mins (F) 60 Mins (H) |
60 marks |
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Unit 4: Writing |
25% |
3-4 Writing tasks including one translation task from English into German No dictionaries. |
1 hr (F) 1 hr 15 (H) |
50 marks (F)
60 Marks (H) |
Head of Department/Faculty: Mrs S Casey
Email: S.Casey@barnwell.herts.sch.uk
The GCSE German course aims to develop students’ ability to understand spoken and written language in a range of contexts. It will enable students to communicate in German using a range of vocabulary and develop their understanding of German grammar. Students will improve their key skills, e.g. communication, working with others, problem-solving and improve their own learning and confidence. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of everyday situations required for a visit to a German speaking country. Students will have a sound base for further study, work and leisure.
What does the course involve?
Students will study all of the following themes on which the assessments will be based:
Students will:
How will I be assessed?
Students are assessed in the four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading & Writing. These are tiered as Foundation (Grades 1-5) and Higher (Grades 4-9).
Students must take all 4 skills at the same tier (either Foundation OR Higher) and each component is worth 25% of the final GCSE grade.
What are my progression routes?
A foreign language can give you a skill for life which could be relevant in any number of professions. An increasing number of Universities are expecting students to have a GCSE in languages to follow degree courses. In order to give you the maximum opportunities Post-16 or in employment, you are advised that knowledge of a modern foreign language is very highly regarded.
Vocabulary learning tools: www.memrise.com; www.quizlet.com; www.duolingo.com
Free apps and websites: www.fluentu.com
Dictionaries: www.wordreference.com
Revision: www.bbc.co.uk/languages; www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Grammar Revision: www.seneca.com
TV channels:www.youtube.com