German at high school

German at high school as the key to the future

The subject German is compulsory for all students at high school from the fifth grade up to the Abitur. In this subject, important skills for the future are taught, which the students need in order to achieve their professional goals. The fact that they can express themselves appropriately orally and in writing and filter information out of texts is important for the Abitur, as well as for an apprenticeship, a degree or an application. That is why the aim of German lessons is to impart basic skills in the area of ​​language use and dealing with texts.

Teaching goals for German at the Gymnasium

In German lessons, the subject of the lesson is the German language. Dealing with your own language is important in order to be able to use it practiced and appropriately. The following are the objectives set out in the syllabus:

• Language skills: The students should have a differentiated vocabulary and be able to express themselves appropriately to the situation. Knowledge about the grammar, history and structures of one’s own language should also be imparted in German lessons.
• Writing skills: The students should learn German at the Gymnasium to master different forms of writing, for example creative, analytical or argumentative writing. They should also be able to express themselves appropriately in writing.
• Reading skills: The German lessons are intended to promote the students’ interest in reading and to provide them with a basic knowledge of literature.
• Cultural competence: In order for the students to be able to better understand their own culture, it is also important to have practiced handling of various media, such as television, radio, film, newspapers or theatre. The German lessons should enable the students to participate in cultural life.
• Working techniques: The German subject at the grammar school deals with various working techniques and methods so that the students are able to learn independently and do well in their studies and work.
• Holistic personality: The teaching of German at the Gymnasium should also convey basic values, which will benefit the students in the development of their personality.

Course content for German at the Gymnasium

The teaching goals for German at the Gymnasium can be implemented, for example, with the following specific content:

• Practice speaking: In German at the Gymnasium, the students practice, among other things, how to conduct conversations, how to react appropriately to a conversation partner, how to give a presentation, how to talk orally and how to use technical terms. In addition, conversation patterns are theoretically discussed and interpreted.
• Practice writing: Your child will also learn how to write, argue and analyze in German at high school. In addition, grammatical rules, spelling and punctuation in German are dealt with so that your child can recognize and avoid their own mistakes.
• Practice reading: In the German subject at high school, age-appropriate texts are read to give the students practice in dealing with texts. Students should be able to understand and reflect on what they read. Meaningful reading aloud is also practiced.
• Learning things worth knowing about language: Your child will learn the basic rules and structures of the German language in German at high school. What types of words are there? What do certain words mean? How does the sentence structure work and how are sentences lined up in order to create a meaningful text?
• Practicing working techniques: In the German subject, techniques such as taking notes, citing, researching, summarizing, structuring texts, preparing presentations, looking up words or drafting concepts are also tried out.
• Personality development: The lessons in German also deal with questions of human and social identity. Dealing with different texts and characters should sharpen the perception of the students so that they can better classify behavioral patterns and develop tolerance for differences.

Problems with German at high school?

If your child has problems in German at the Gymnasium, there are various offers of help. It is best to talk to your child’s German teacher to find out in which area they have problems and whether the teacher can recommend specific support measures.

Maybe your child just lacks a little routine and practice for the subject German at high school. You can give him the opportunity to practice with you at home. Let your child read, spell or write something regularly, for example postcards to relatives and friends, shopping lists or other small exercise texts. The more your child reads, the better they can memorize spelling and punctuation. But you can also practice for the German subject at high school in a playful way – with crossword puzzles, language games, making up stories or reciting poems. Tutoring from professional tutors or older students can also help your child to catch up in German at high school.

If your child has major problems with reading and writing despite intensive support, this can also indicate previously unrecognized dyslexia. You can find out who you can turn to for help in this case in our article “Dyslexia” .