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• German - 7–10 Sequence: Levels 9 and 10 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 10, students initiate and maintain interactions in written and spoken German to communicate ideas, thoughts, feelings and information related to relationships, school experiences, the community and future plans. They interact with others to make decisions, solve problems, and...

  Level description | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10

• Languages | German: Structure

  Sequences of learning

  The German curriculum recognises that there are different entry points into language learning across F–10, which reflects current language teaching practice.

  There are two possible learning sequences:

  • F–10 sequence for students who begin to learn the language...

  Overview material | German

• VCDEU013

  Develop knowledge of elements of the German grammatical system, including gender and number, nominative and accusative cases, present tense of regular and some irregular verbs, personal pronouns, possessive adjectives and word order, to describe people, objects, actions, events and relationships

  Elaborations

  • understanding that German has multiple words for ‘the’ and ‘a/an’ according to the gender of the relevant noun, and noticing that the articles for masculine nouns sometimes change (nominative to accusative), for example, Die Frau hat einen BMW.; Der Film hat ein Happy End
  • comparing pluralisation of nouns in German and English, for example, die for plural nouns
  • using post-nominal (predicative) adjectives, for example, Unsere Deutschlehrerin ist intelligent.; Die Berge in Österreich sind sehr schön.; Meine Augen sind blau.
  • noticing the relationship between gender, article, adjective and case when using pre-nominal (attributive) adjectives to describe people, objects, places and events, for example, Ich habe einen kleinen Bruder.
  • noticing that as well as the articles (for masculine nouns), some pronouns change after certain verbs (accusative direct object), for example, Wir sehen heute den Film.; Es gibt einen neuen Schüler in Klasse 8A.; Ich mag dich.
  • noticing that articles and pronouns change after particular prepositions (dative), such as those associated with location and destination, for example, Wir sind in der Stadt.; Die Party ist im Garten.; Wie kommst du zur Schule?
  • using common prepositional phrases formulaically, for example, nach Hause, zu Hause
  • using personal pronouns to refer to people and things, for example, Was kostet die App? Sie kostet… .
  • understanding the three German pronouns for ‘you’ (du/ihr/Sie) and when to use them
  • expressing a relationship to a person or object using some possessive adjectives in the nominative and accusative case, for example, Seine Familie kommt aus Afrika.; Ich liebe meinen Hund .
  • recognising that in German a subject + verb can have multiple English translations, for example, wir spielen can mean ‘we play’, ‘we are playing’, ‘we do play’, ‘we shall/will play’ and ‘we’re going to play’, and applying this understanding when formulating own German sentences
  • understanding the concept of regular and irregular verbs (spielen and lesen) and noticing that this is a feature of both German and English (and other languages, such as French, Italian and Spanish)
  • conjugating the present tense of regular verbs and some common irregular verbs, including sein and haben
  • understanding structures to express likes, dislikes and preferences, for example, Ich mag Tennis. Ich spiele nicht gern Fuβball. Ich spiele lieber Kricket.
  • using common modal verbs such as können to describe capabilities (Ich kann gut schwimmen., and Ich möchte and Darf ich… ?) or to make polite requests
  • gaining awareness of a limited number of routine past tense expressions including some with war and hatte and the present perfect, for example, Sabine war gestern krank. Das hat Spaβ gemacht. Habt ihr ein schönes Wochenende gehabt?
  • negating verbs and adjectives using nicht and nouns using kein/e, for example, Nein, Marcus hat keine Geschwister.
  • describing frequency using adverbs and adverbial expressions such as oft, manchmal, jeden Tag, ab und zu, nie
  • understanding the subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, for example, Ich spiele Basketball., and the need for subject-verb inversion to keep the verb as the second idea/element in the sentence, for example, Heute Abend spiele ich Basketball.
  • joining words, phrases and sentences using the coordinating conjunctions und, oder, aber
  • understanding how to form a question, using subject-verb inversion, for example, Hast du Geschwister? and with interrogatives such as wann, was, wer, wie, wie viel, wie viele, wo, woher, warum, welche(-r/s/n) and wohin
  • locating people, places and objects using adverbs such as rechts, links, oben, unten, hier, dort
  • using ordinal numbers to give the date or a birthday, for example, Heute ist der erste Ma.i; Seine Mutter hat am 22. April Geburtstag.
  • understanding and locating events in time (days, months, seasons), including the use of the 24-hour clock, prepositions such as nach and vor, and adverbs and formulaic expressions such as heute, vorgestern, früher, später, am Wochenende, in den Ferien
  • referring to quantities of people and things, including money, using cardinal numbers up to a billion, as well as decimals, common fractions and negative numbers, for example, Deutschland hat 81,9 Millionen Einwohner.; Die Tagestemperatur liegt bei minus 3 Grad.; Ich habe eine Halbschwester.
  • building metalanguage to comment on grammar and vocabulary (for example, Nomen, Verben, Zahlen, Fragewörter, groβ/klein schreiben), comparing with equivalent English terms

  VCDEU013 | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• German - F–10 Sequence: Foundation to Level 2 description

  Students become familiar with the sounds and rhythms of German, approximating the pronunciation and phrasing of single words and short phrases, including distinctive sounds such as ch, r, th, u and z, and diphthongs such as au, ei, eu and ie. They use simple basic sentence structures and familiar...

  Level description | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence

• VCDEU149

  Develop and apply knowledge of German grammatical elements such as verb tenses, modal verbs and case, combining them with an increasing range of nouns, adjectives and adverbs to construct sentences

  Elaborations

  • referring to a person, place or object using the nominative and accusative definite and indefinite articles, for example, Das Mädchen hat einen Hockeyschläger. Der Film hat ein Happy End.
  • noticing how articles and pronouns change after certain verbs (Ich danke dir.) and after particular prepositions associated with location, for example, Wir sind in der Stadt. Die Party ist bei Stefan im Garten.
  • understanding and describing current, recurring and future actions, including by using common separable verbs such as aufstehen, ausgehen, aussehen, fernsehen, mitkommen and mitnehmen
  • understanding the concept of regular and irregular verbs and noticing that this is a feature of both German and English (and other languages, such as French, Italian and Spanish)
  • understanding and expressing obligation and permission using the modal verbs müssen and dürfen, such as in descriptions of school rules, for example, Wir dürfen in der Klasse nicht texten. Wir müssen eine Uniform tragen.
  • comparing the meaning of the modal verbs wollen, sollen, mögen and können with their English equivalents
  • making comparisons using simple structures such as Ich mag Erdbeeren lieber als Kiwis. Radfahren ist besser als Autofahren.
  • giving instructions to one or more peers, for example, Trink(t) mehr Wasser!
  • understanding and speaking about past events by adapting modelled sentences in the present perfect tense and using knowledge of common verbs in the simple past tense, for example, Ich habe heute meine Hausaufgaben nicht gemacht. Wir sind nach Bali geflogen. Früher konnte ich Klavier spielen.
  • noticing that some verbs can be combined with a separable or inseparable prefix which alters the meaning of the base verb, for example, Er kommt um 17.15 Uhr. Kommst du mit? Ich bekomme $50 zum Geburtstag.
  • describing frequency using adverbs and adverbial expressions such as oft, manchmal, jeden Tag, ab und zu and nie
  • understanding the meaning of the conjunctions dass and weil
  • understanding questions using warum and responding with a simple sentence, for example, Warum bist du müde? Ich habe heute Fuβball gespielt.
  • referring to a date, including the year, for an event such as a birth date, for example, Meine Oma ist am elften April 1956 geboren.
  • understanding and locating events in time, including the use of the 24-hour clock, prepositions such as nach and vor, and formulaic expressions such as früher, später, am Wochenende, in den Ferien
  • referring to quantities of people and things (including Meter, Kilometer; Quadratmeter, Quadratkilometer for length/height/distance and area) using cardinal numbers up to 10 000 including decimals, common fractions and negative numbers, for example, 85,5 Prozent haben ein Handy. Die Tagestemperatur liegt bei minus 8 Grad. Ich habe eine Halbschwester.
  • building metalanguage to comment on grammar and vocabulary (for example, Substantive/Nomen, Verben, Ordinalzahlen, Präpositionen, Fragewörter, groβ/klein schreiben), comparing with equivalent English terms

  VCDEU149 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Systems of language

• German - F–10 Sequence: Levels 5 and 6 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 6, students use written and spoken German for classroom interactions, to carry out transactions, and to share ideas and opinions, relate experiences and express feelings. They use complete sentences in familiar contexts to ask questions such as, Bist du fertig? Was machst du...

  Level description | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6

• VCDEC143

  Present, reinterpret or create alternative versions of imaginative texts, adapting events, characters or settings

  Elaborations

  • creating and performing a new version of a familiar song or poem, for example, using digital tools and apps for movie making and voice recording
  • creating dialogue/lines for characters from a text, describing in spoken or written form their opinions and emotional responses, for example, as an interview, email or diary entry
  • creating and presenting an adapted text such as a story, for example, by introducing new elements (changing the gender of the main character or the setting, adding a new character or dilemma), and presenting it to a younger audience

  VCDEC143 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Communicating | Creating

• VCDEU116

  Understand that language is organised as ‘texts’, which take different forms and use different structures and features to achieve their purposes

  Elaborations

  • understanding that texts can be spoken, written, digital, visual or multimodal, and that they can be very short (Stopp!, or a hand gesture to signal Komm her!) or much longer
  • recognising that different types of texts have different features, for example, rhythm and repetition in action songs and rhymes
  • comparing similar texts in German and English, such as counting games or simple maps, identifying elements in the German texts which look or sound different
  • identifying familiar text types such as songs, rhymes, picture books, games, family trees and tables, and naming key features, for example, Titel, Seite and Bild

  VCDEU116 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCDEU117

  Recognise that in German, as in English and other languages, there are different ways of greeting and interacting with people

  Elaborations

  • recognising different forms of address and greeting, depending on time of day and the gender and social status of participants, for example, first names with peers (Tag, Luke!) and Guten Morgen, Frau Stein! for the teacher
  • recognising that there can be different forms of address for the same person, for example, Mama, Mutti, Mami, Mutter
  • understanding that the level of detail required can vary depending on the context, for example, Ich bin 5; Ich bin 6 Jahre und 3 Monate alt; Ich bin fast 7.

  VCDEU117 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCDEC113

  Express aspects of self, such as family, school/class, age and language(s), noticing how these are part of one’s sense of identity

  Elaborations

  • identifying self as part of a family, class or peer group, and representing these relationships in a variety of ways, such as through drawing pictures or by adding captions to photos
  • describing what languages they know and are learning, for example, Ich kann Englisch und Arabisch. Ich lerne Deutsch
  • eliciting and giving personal information that signals identity within home and school contexts, including age and appearance, characteristics, class and school, for example, Ich bin sechseinhalb.; Ich habe braune Haare. Ich bin in Klasse 1F
  • investigating the question ‘Where do I belong at school?’ by analysing and describing various ways that schools identify different groups within a school, such as by class levels (Foundation to Year 6), different classroom teachers, different play areas, wearing of school uniform, or changing rights and responsibilities

  VCDEC113 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Communicating | Reflecting

• VCDEU170

  Reflect on different aspects of the cultural dimension of learning and using German

  Elaborations

  • recognising that different expressions are used across cultures to communicate ideas, for example, when describing Brot or school excursions (Klassenfahrt, Wandertag)
  • exploring how origin, geography and religion are integrally connected with lifestyle, daily practices and language use, for example, Recycling, Kaffee und Kuchen, Wandern, Stehcafé, religious/public holidays, choice of Fremdsprachen offered in schools
  • discussing the use of appropriate gestures and body language when communicating in German, for example, not putting hands in pockets while talking with someone (as this may be considered rude), and maintaining eye contact
  • identifying changes in own ways of thinking about culture and identity as a result of learning German

  VCDEU170 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCDEC139

  Use simple questions, statements and responses to participate in and support classroom interactions and learning activities, and to indicate understanding and monitor own learning

  Elaborations

  • politely asking peers to do something and responding to requests, for example, giving and receiving things (Gib mir itte den Stift! bitte schön; danke schön)
  • discussing and creating shared class rules and procedures, for example, Dürfen wir auf dem Boden sitzen? Wir müssen immer aufpassen.
  • checking on progress during learning tasks or activities, using comments and questions such as Kein Problem! Das schaffen wir. Was machst du jetzt? Verstehst du das?
  • sharing ideas about the experience of learning and using German, and comparing what they can and cannot do, for example, Ich kann gut sprechen, aber ich finde das Lesen und Schreiben schwierig.

  VCDEC139 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Communicating | Socialising

• VCDEU153

  Understand that own and others’ language use is shaped by and reflects the values, ideas and norms of a community

  Elaborations

  • recognising that texts such as stories have a social and cultural purpose, for example, the moral of a fairy tale (Aschenputtel) and comparing the kinds of personal characteristics that are depicted in texts as desirable
  • recognising that language use can have connections to cultural practices, such as expressions from family or religious celebrations, or from outdoor activities such as sports, for example, Gott sei Dank!, ‘Howzat!’, ‘fair go’
  • discussing situations of culturally inappropriate language use and noticing what makes them inappropriate and how this may be addressed, for example, addressing an adult who is not a family member with du instead of Sie
  • noticing the impact of own assumptions about people from German-speaking countries, their language and culture, when listening to, reading and viewing texts, and considering how German speakers too may make assumptions and generalisations about Australians

  VCDEU153 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCDEC025

  Translate and interpret aspects of informative and imaginative texts, identifying and explaining some of the challenges involved and adjustments required when transferring meaning between languages and cultures

  Elaborations

  • comparing, analysing and explaining some common idiomatic expressions in both German and English, for example, Ich drücke dir die Daumen (‘I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you’), Ohrwurm (‘A tune you can't get out of your head’)
  • translating into English a public notice or advertisement for an event in a German-speaking country, for example, Basler Fasnacht or Salzburger Jugendtag, Kerwoche, then comparing own translation with peers’, discussing differences between versions and considering reasons for these
  • finding and comparing equivalent similes and metaphors in German and English, and suggesting possible reasons for differences, for example, Ich verstehe nur Bahnof (‘I can't understand anything’), einen Bärenhunger haben (‘I'm so hungry I could eat a horse’)
  • explaining terms for common features of schooling in German-speaking countries, such as those related to curriculum or assessment and reporting (die erste/zweite Fremdsprache, Pflichtfächer, AGs, das Notensystem, die mündliche Note, der blaue Brief, sitzenbleiben), and comparing them with similar terms used in Australian schools
  • discussing issues associated with using online translators by comparing different versions of a translated text and suggesting reasons for differences and mistranslations

  VCDEC025 | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCDEU012

  Recognise and use key features of the German sound system, including pronunciation, rhythm, stress and intonation, and identify main similarities and differences between the phonological and orthographic systems of English and German

  Elaborations

  • noticing and imitating German sounds, and developing awareness of letter–sound relationships, including distinctive sounds such as those represented by the letters ch, r, th, u and z; consonant blends and clusters such as sch; short and long vowel sounds and diphthongs such as au, ei, eu and ie; the impact of the Umlaut on a, o and u; and ß
  • applying German capitalisation rules to nouns and noticing that the capitalisation of the formal ‘you’ form Sie distinguishes it from sie (she/they)
  • understanding that β can only be used in lower case, otherwise SS, and that ä, ö and ü can be written as ae, oe and ue respectively, for example, in upper case signs or word puzzles such as crosswords
  • understanding the meaning and use of full stops and commas in German ordinal or decimal numbers, for example, die 8. Klasse; 9,50 Euro; 15.30 Uhr
  • learning to pronounce the German alphabet by singing das Alphabetlied, and using the German alphabet for spelling out names and other words
  • practising pronunciation of particular sounds and rhythms by saying tongue twisters, rhymes and short poems
  • recognising differences in intonation and rhythm between statements, questions and commands

  VCDEU012 | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCDEU148

  Explain and apply basic rules for German pronunciation, intonation, spelling and punctuation

  Elaborations

  • applying basic pronunciation rules, such as the two different pronunciations of ch
  • applying different intonation for statements, questions, exclamations and instructions
  • understanding that β can only be used in lower case, otherwise SS, and that ä, ö and ü can be written as ae, oe and ue respectively, for example, in upper case signs or word puzzles such as crosswords
  • applying phonic and grammatical knowledge to spell and write unfamiliar words containing, for example, ch, j, w and z, and diphthongs such as au, ei, eu and ie
  • noticing distinctive punctuation features of personal correspondence in German, such as Hallo Annette!/Lieber Klaus, followed respectively by upper or lower case for the beginning of the first sentence
  • understanding and applying punctuation rules (full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, quotation marks) in German, including the meaning and use of full stops and commas in ordinal and decimal numbers (die 3. Klasse and 9,50 Euro), and capitalisation rules

  VCDEU148 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCDEC157

  Access, summarise and analyse information and opinions from a range of sources relating to topical issues of shared interest

  Elaborations

  • accessing and using print and online resources such as dictionaries, grammar references and encyclopaedias to support understanding of texts
  • analysing and summarising information and viewpoints on a range of issues, such as information from a television news report about social media, a documentary on early German settlement in Australia, or an interview with an older German speaker on the topic of her/his Kindheit und Jugend, using tools such as guided note-taking, timelines and/or concept maps
  • accessing, collating and summarising information on youth-related issues such as Musik, Schulsport or Fernsehen from sources such as the internet, magazines and personal communications
  • collecting information on topics related to lifestyle choices, explaining changes in focus and perspective over different periods, for example, Rauchen oder nicht?
  • researching young people’s lifestyles across German-speaking cultures and contexts, comparing information from different cultural contexts to identify the influence of factors such as geography, climate, and social and community environment, for example, Wintersport, Reiseziele

  VCDEC157 | Languages | German | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Informing

• VCDEC011

  Reflect on experiences of learning and using another language, and share aspects of own identity, such as age, interests and family background, reflecting on how these impact on intercultural exchange

  Elaborations

  • sharing ideas about the experience of learning and using German, including any perceived changes in levels of confidence, or in attitudes to culture and intercultural communication, for example, ‘How did I feel when I first heard/spoke German? How do I feel now?’
  • preparing a class profile to exchange with German-speaking students, showing cultural backgrounds, languages used in the home, interests and values, and using resources such as photos, captions, quotes and symbols
  • annotating a family tree with information about family members, such as significant places or languages spoken, identifying own heritage (Ich bin Australier/-in. Mein Opa kommt aus Griechenland.), and reflecting on how own background has shaped identity
  • participating in a discussion in English about an aspect of identity, for example, considering the impact of a school uniform on personal identity and exploring how German students might view wearing a school uniform
  • comparing aspects of identity that may be important across cultures, such as state, country, ethnic group, language, religion, age, gender, and position in family

  VCDEC011 | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Reflecting

• VCDEU016

  Recognise that German and English are related languages and that German is an important European and global language

  Elaborations

  • noticing that German and English share many words, for example, Computer, Bus, Taxi and Auto, and understanding that this is a result of historical events as well as the dynamic nature of languages
  • recognising that English and other languages have borrowed German words, for example, Hamburger, kaputt, Kindergarten, Glockenspiel and Mischmasch, and comparing how these words are pronounced by German and English speakers
  • understanding that English grammar used to be more similar to German grammar but that English has changed, for example, recognising the link between the Middle English ‘What thinkest thou?’ and Was denkst du?
  • recognising that the German language continuously borrows and adapts words and expressions from other languages, including English, for example, das Internet, die App, häppi, joggen, shoppen, simsen/texten, Stopp! and Sorry!
  • recognising that German is an official language of the ‘DACHL’ countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) as well as in Belgium, Luxembourg and South Tyrol

  VCDEU016 | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCDEU034

  Explore the dynamic nature of the relationship between language, culture and communication and how it impacts on attitudes and beliefs

  Elaborations

  • establishing a deeper understanding of diversity, and reflecting on what own experience of linguistic and cultural diversity means for them
  • sharing ideas about how culture ‘works’ as a combination of beliefs, values and practices, and examining own personal and community cultural frames of reference and how and why these change over time
  • reflecting, through personal journals and group discussions, on how learning German has impacted on own assumptions about German language, culture or identity
  • considering how the experience of learning a new language has impacted on their awareness of their own communicative and cultural behaviours and of how these may be interpreted by others
  • analysing how language use and culture reflect and construct relationships, practices and attitudes, including expressions and concepts in German related to education, social equality, national identity and commitment to world peace, for example, Fremdsprache, Ausbildung/Erziehung; Nationalismus/Heimat; those related to Ausländer in German-speaking countries and those within Germany, such as Nord–Süd/Ost–West (Ossi/Wessi) identity

  VCDEU034 | Languages | German | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Role of language and culture