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Advice for teachers –
German

Teaching and learning activities

Unit 3

Unit 3 – Area of Study 1: Interpersonal communication

Theme: The individual
Topic: Personal identity and lifestyles
Sub topic: Health and wellbeing

Outcome 1

Participate in a spoken exchange in German to resolve a personal issue.

Examples of lear​ning activities

  • Read an article outlining the importance of a healthy lifestyle for young people in a German-speaking country. Summarise your findings in a 100-word paragraph.
  • Discuss the findings with classmates.
  • Create a glossary of words and expressions to form a basis for understanding the topic.
  • Read blog posts from a German-speaking country about how young people balance co-curricular/school commitments and fitness.
  • Listen to a conversation between two young people in a German-speaking country discussing school routines and finding time for recreational activities/part-time work.
  • Role-play in pairs asking each other questions about tips for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
  • Write a 250-word informative article for the school magazine outlining the importance of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
  • Create a PowerPoint presentation comparing balanced lifestyles and young people’s involvement in part-time work.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Write a 250-word personal email to a friend to convince them to adopt a more balanced lifestyle.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

Personal email to a friend

  1. List vocabulary related to health and wellbeing.
  2. Listen to a conversation between Year 12 students about how their studies are progressing. Take notes on what they say to each other and the language they use.
  3. Watch a vlog in which a teacher offers ideas to students about how to tackle Year 12 (or equivalent in a German-speaking country) in the healthiest way possible.
  4. Find and read websites that target students and their study methods. List ideas and advice provided.
  5. Read a youth magazine where students have asked questions about healthy and balanced lifestyles. Discuss the responses and decide whether they are realistic.
  6. Draft an email to be written to a friend suggesting actions they could take to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle in Year 12. In the draft, include:
    • solutions or ideas
    • language that would be used when addressing a friend
    • vocabulary and expressions that highlight your knowledge in this area
    • grammar that showcases your linguistic facility.

Unit 3 – Area of Study 2: Interpretative communication

Theme: The German-speaking communities
Topic: Lifestyles in German-speaking countries and communities
Sub topic: Regional variations/customs and traditions

Outcome 2

Interpret information from texts and write responses in German.

Examples of lear​ning activities

  • Study a map of a German-speaking country and identify its states, cantons or districts, and their geographical situation and features.
  • Individually or in pairs, choose a state, canton or district. Read about it and list the major historical developments and/or particularities. Include towns, farming, traditions, costumes, festivals and food. Prepare a poster or PowerPoint of the most important characteristics of that state, canton or district.
  • In small groups, research links between the different states, cantons or districts studied. Alternatively, compare the way in which they have developed.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Deliver a three-minute speech about the chosen state, canton or district with emphasis on one particular aspect of its traditions or local life. Respond to questions from the class and to their comments about the presentation in terms of content and language used.
  • Consider the role played in the history of the German-speaking country by the particular state, canton or district. Consider the questions: Do any of the traditions represent the German-speaking country at all? Why/how might that be so? How do other states, cantons or districts of the German-speaking country view this?
  • Write a 250-word personal blog post as though you have just visited the chosen state, canton or district. Make comments about your reactions to discovering this area and any cultural observations about its role in the German-speaking country.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

Three-minute speech on a chosen state, canton or district and its traditions or local life.

  1. Research the chosen area. Write lists of information about its various attractions and traditions, as well as its geography and history.
  2. Gather images of the area and any of its traditional festivals. Display them on a poster with detailed captions.
  3. Watch a video of someone talking about a geographical area. Make notes under the headings: How do they present themselves physically while giving the talk? What type of language do they use? What techniques do they employ to make it engaging and interesting?
  4. Plan the three-minute speech using the research. Re-read the information gathered about the area and consider which aspects must be included to convey the flavour of the area and its traditions in the best possible way.
  5. Practise reading the speech aloud and note parts that might pose problems in terms of pronunciation or intonation.
  6. If using images as part of the speech, practise indicating them so that listeners are aware of them and appreciate how they support the spoken material.
  7. Record the speech; listen to the recording and make any necessary changes to either content or delivery. Also, note the timing and adjust speed of presentation or information included.

Unit 3 – Area of Study 3: Presentational communication

Theme: The world around us
Topic: Global and contemporary society
Sub topic: Environment and sustainability

Outcome 3

Express ideas in a personal, informative or imaginative piece of writing in German.

Examples of lear​ning activities

  • Create a glossary of words and expressions (in German) focusing on concepts of sustainability and energy usage currently held in Australia.
  • Read an article about sustainability and energy usage in a German-speaking country. Compare the glossary to the vocabulary in the article. Identify any particular words or expressions not already in the glossary. Consider whether this highlights other cultural concerns in the German-speaking country. Discuss the similarities and differences in pairs and write a 100-word paragraph explaining possible reasons for these differences.
  • Research widely for information about the policies of a German-speaking country on improving sustainability and reducing energy usage.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Design a leaflet on the topic of sustainability and energy usage in a German-speaking country.
  • Consider how a German-speaking country and Australia rate in energy usage and sustainability in global terms. Research the major energy usage of both countries. Use the statistics to compare costs and efficiencies. List the differences and similarities. Then write comparative sentences about them.
  • Watch a television program from a German-speaking country, in which participants discuss issues of energy usage and sustainability.
  • Listen to energy companies and their consumers discussing their needs in the energy market. Discuss personal responses to this topic.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

Leaflet on the topic of sustainability and energy usage in a German-speaking country.

  1. View a documentary on sustainability and energy usage in a German-speaking country.
  2. Read an article on sustainability and energy usage and how it has changed over the last 10 years.
  3. Listen to a conversation between young people in which they discuss their views on sustainability and energy usage in the German-speaking country.
  4. In pairs, using full sentences in German, discuss how best to answer questions related to the topic.
  5. Individually, select an article and write questions about it. Also, create an answer key for these questions.
  6. Circulate the sets of questions among the class. Answer all of them. Correct as a group.
  7. Examine some advertising material and leaflets.
  8. Incorporate the above research into the design of a leaflet on the topic of sustainability and energy usage in a German-speaking country.