German Language School in Orange County CA
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There are 2 versions: 5th – 12th grade and adults
Introduction phase to the German Language School
We teach according to the Central Office for Schools Abroad framework plan.
It is a fundamental curricular contribution to a modern and comprehensive concept of schoolwork.
Because the framework plan is based on a holistic and complex language and school work, teaching and learning situations must be concrete and can be created for specific actions. This means for the planning of teaching projects that (partial) competencies are not trained individually and in an isolated and systematic manner but based on complex tasks that are important in life and communication, creating diverse and age-appropriate learning opportunities.
The communicative competence to be aimed at is developed in a way that is suitable for Foreign language teaching in a general way and is divided into the following categories:
- listening-understanding/listening-seeing
- Taking part in conversations
- Speak coherently
- Reading comprehension
- Letter
- Language assessment
To act communicatively, i.e., according to one’s intentions and appropriate to the situation, and to realize or acquire corresponding (partial) competencies in a sense described above, there is a need for linguistic means in the “classical” fields:
- Pronunciation / Intonation
- Orthography
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
Objective: Preparation for examination phases at German Language School
In our schools, the following tests and exams are carried out:
AATG-NGE (National German Examination) tests levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Structure and content: Each stage of the exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, which are split into two parts of 50 questions each. The listening and watching part takes 40 minutes and is made up of short pieces of audio and video. The reading part is 45 minutes long and consists of printed texts, including graphics and images. All materials used in the test are from authentic sources. Participants will be informed about the login procedure for this test, and a practice test will be explained and carried out.
In addition, we offer various tests from the Central Office for Schools Abroad (ZfA) which can lead to the German Language Diploma (DSD).
A1 comparative work, DSD I – level A2/B1, and DSD II – level B2/C1 test.
The DSD/A2 test consists of four parts that must be practiced in class.
- Reading comprehension
- listening comprehension
- Written expression (essay)
- Oral expression (2 parts, free speech and a short one chosen with the help of the teacher) Presentation
If the students pass the German Language Diploma B1-DSD I, they have the linguistic Qualification for studies at a German university of applied sciences.
With the passed German Language Diploma C1-DSD II, they have completed the US Abitur/ College degree with their qualification to study at a German university. You must be in Germany for both of these, and no other language test will be taken.
We offer specific one-year classes for AP German (Advanced Placement for College Board).
Preliminary stage Pre-K (4 years)
Games, music, and listening comprehension.
The first learning goal in preschool is listening comprehension. Another goal of listening comprehension is the recognition of initial and final sounds, as well as the comparison of the initial and final sounds of different words. The second learning objective is speaking. As far as possible, lessons should only be in German. The language of the teacher should be short and limited to clear sentences. The teachers must demonstrate illustrative material in front of the children to clarify the vocabulary.
The TPR (Total Physical Response) – method is the most successful and exciting for children in the preliminary stage. Vocabulary is learned by playing stories, fairy tales, songs, and everyday Situations by the teacher and by imitating the children. The vocabulary should be adapted to the age of the children. Children’s books, games, and toys are available for the lessons.
Kindergarten A.0 (approx. 5-6 years)
Games, music and listening comprehension, reading, and writing.
Listening comprehension is still the first learning goal in kindergarten. A further purpose, described under the listening comprehension falls, is the recognition of initial and final sounds and the comparison of initial and final sounds of different words. The second learning objective is speaking. Writing and reading comprehension are the third learning objective, especially in 5 and 6-year-old children. As far as possible, lessons should only be in German. The language of the teacher should be short and limited to clear sentences. The teachers must demonstrate illustrative material in front of the children to clarify the vocabulary.
The TPR (Total Physical Response) – method is the most successful and exciting for children in the preliminary stage. Vocabulary is learned by playing stories, fairy tales, songs, and everyday Situations by the teacher and by imitating the children.
The vocabulary should be adapted to the age of the children at the German Language School.
The following vocabulary should be acquired: greetings, numbers, colors, family, body parts, animals, food, fruit, shapes (triangle, circle, etc.), seasons, vehicles, holidays, etc. Adjectives and verbs are derived from the vocabulary fields mentioned above.
To deepen your vocabulary, you should learn songs, short poems, rhymes, and games to help you. When developing a new language, care should be taken to ensure that the correct student’s genera (der, die, das) learn a noun.
The following textbooks are available at German Language School
- Fabuli- Anfangsunterricht Deutsch (Klett Verlag)
- Fabuli- Teacher’s manual (Klett Verlag)
- Fabuli – Audio-CD (Klett Verlag)
- Toys and games
Basic level A1.1 (approx. 7-9 years)
Basic level A1.2 (approx. 10-12 years)
Beginner Level for High School ( age 14-16 )
The focus is on communication and speaking.
Grammar is not the main focus, but the first simple concepts should be introduced, especially if it is a beginner class with older children and a higher language level.
The structure and content of the textbooks at this level took our curriculum.
The word areas mentioned in the preliminary stages will be expanded here as they belong to the children’s sphere of life. The verbally acquired knowledge is now to be put into practice through writing exercises to be consolidated.
Writing essays is the most difficult for our students and must be done at the beginning, e.g., by invitations, e-mail replies, etc. We offer our students sufficient material for practice purposes is available.
If the class consists of heterogeneous groups, written exercises must be completed during Lesson time, a suitable method. The best is when the activities are done as a group or with a partner work must be developed. Here, station work is also an appropriate teaching method.
The grammatical structures should be in the system, and harmony in the textbooks can be developed. For example, the position of the verb in the sentence, the main clause, W-question words, the introduction of subordinate clauses, that-phrases, relative clause, Weil-phrases (causal clause), Comparison sentence, verb conjugations of the regular and irregular verbs (mean, live, come, be, have).
If the students’ linguistic ability is present, this level should be extended to all Cases. Pupils are introduced to the A1 comparison test (for ages 9 -12).
AATG-NGE Level 1 can be prepared and may be taken if the student’s linguistic ability is present. Students must be at least 12-13 years old. For this purpose, our students should bring their laptops to class.
The following textbooks are available for the German Language School
- Magnet neu A1 coursebook with an audio CD, (Klett Verlag)
- Workbook, teacher’s booklet, and test book (Klett Verlag)
- Children’s books, fairy tale books (Klett Verlag) Pixi books are available to the students.
- Klasse! A1 Augmented coursebook and workbook for High School. repetition/supplementary level of the primary level (if necessary)
Assessment phase 1:
AATG – National German Examination Level 1 (ca.12-14 years)
A 1 International comparison work (approx. 9 – 12 years)
Intermediate Level A2.1
Intermediate Level A2.2
Intermediate Level for High school ( age 16-17)
Students in the A1 class have already been assigned to a curriculum using the Textbooks. New students should continue where the whole class is (if possible and if language skills are already available). The preferred textbook for this level is Magnet new A2, and we take the curriculum. For High School, we take Klasse! A2 and the curriculum. In addition, regional studies through Film clips and practicing a presentation after consultation with the teacher. Writing essays is the most difficult and needs to be practiced. Here we give our students an essay on structure and structure a lot of help.
Since the students’ sphere of life has expanded considerably, the vocabulary must be systematic and can be extended.
The preparation for the AATG- Level 2 Test and A2/B1 DSDI should start here, depending on the student’s age and level of knowledge.
The following textbooks are available at the German Language School
- Magnet neu A2 coursebook with an audio CD, (Klett Verlag)
- Workbook, teacher’s booklet, and test booklet. (Klett Verlag)
- Klasse! A2 Augmented for High School students with coursebooks and workbooks. German Vocabulary & Grammar A2 (Huber Verlag)
- How to get to the DSD I -exercise and test book (Klett Verlag)
- Reading books like “‘Poor Anna, Linda’s Dream, Julian Shows Courage,” “And You Call That Courage,” “Teen Readers (DaF), “and” Neue Reise Neue Abenteuer” are available to the students.
Exam stage 2:
AATG -NGE Level 2 (approx.13-14 years)
A2 – International comparison work
Advanced intermediate level B1
In this advanced German class, the students should already know German well. Have. Besides grammar, vocabulary exercises, and reading more challenging texts, you should also practice idiomatic expressions and more complicated sentence structures. Editing Short films and movies complements the lessons. Also, German literature, history, and regional studies are offered, and a presentation on a given topic is practiced. Project work is also practiced here, such as a project presentation in PowerPoint.
In Advance DaF lessons, the following topics and experience areas are to be considered and to be specified in concrete terms in a way appropriate to the age of the child:
- Health in Germany
Health care system – Medical research/science – Prevention - Education in Germany
School education, vocational training, study, further education – media in education - Consumption in Germany
In-store shopping vs. Internet- Online commerce-advertising-consumption behavior Sustainability-consumption opponents - Tourism in Germany
Sustainability-Mass tourism-Event tourism – Tourism/Economy -alternative forms of vacation-Cultural tourism
Preparation for tests is a big part of this class. Students can prepare for the AATG Level 3 and the B1-DSD I, which can also be carried out if the student’s linguistic ability is present.
The following textbooks are available:
- Magnet neu B1 coursebook with an audio CD, (Klett Verlag)
- Workbook, teacher’s booklet, and test booklet. (Klett Verlag)
- How to get to the DSD I -exercise and test book (Klett Verlag)
- German as a foreign language grammar exercises B1 (Langenscheidt Grammar Training)
- Reading books “Ohne Handy”, “Feuerspiele”, (publishing house on the Ruhr), “Mueller auf Rügen”.
- (Langenscheidt) as well as “Der zerbrochene Krug”, “Kleider machen Leute”, “Die Leiden des jungen Werthers” (Klett Verlag), are available to the students.
Exam phase 3:
AATG -NGE Level 3 (approx.14-16 years)
A2 / B1 DSD I
AP German Language and Culture Exam ( College Board)
After the B1 DSDI test, students can take the AP German course. This course will prepare students to take the AP Exam and/or college placement tests by emphasizing the 3 modes of communication in written and spoken forms and formal and informal settings. Which will end with the exam of the College Board, in which we guide our students through the process.
Students will be prepared in World Language and Culture German.
AP Syllabus
Length of course: 1-2 years
German AP is a language course that prepares students to take the ACTFL AP Exam. This exam is administered in May.
The AP Exam tests all four skill areas at the highest level. There are:
- Various listening parts
- Various reading parts
- Different listening & reading parts combined
- Task 1: Email Writing
- Task 2: Essay writing
- Task 3: Taking part in a conversation
- Task 4: oral presentation about a cultural comparison
Resources come from various sources like magazines, movies, websites, and books.
Course Content:
- Unit 1: Families in Different Societies
- Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity
- Unit 3: Influences Beauty and Art
- Unit 4: How Science and Technology affects our Life
- Unit 5: Factors that Impact the Quality of Life
- Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges
AP German World Language and Culture Exam (approx 16-17 years)
Higher Level B2 and C1
Students have already achieved excellent German language skills in this advanced German class. Besides grammar, vocabulary exercises, and reading more challenging texts, idiomatic expressions and more complicated sentence order should also be practiced. Also, German literature, history, and regional studies should be offered. Editing Short films and movies complements the lessons. Project work is also practiced here, such as a project presentation in PowerPoint.
Discussion, debate, and exchange of views are critical in class.
In the advanced B2/C1 DaF lessons, the following topics and experience areas are Covered and concretized in a way appropriate to their age:
- Health in Germany
- Health care system – Medical research/science – Prevention
- Education in Germany
- School education, vocational training, study, further education – media in education
- Consumption in Germany
- In-store shopping vs. Internet- Online commerce-advertising-consumption behavior Sustainability-consumption opponents
- Tourism in Germany
- Sustainability-Mass tourism-Event tourism – Tourism/Economy -alternative forms of vacation-Cultural tourism
The following textbooks are available at German Language School
- German expression extension, consolidation, consolidation grammar “Sag’ Besser,” workbook B1-C1 (Huber publishing house)
- How to get to the DSD II -exercise and test book (Klett Verlag)
Assessment phase 3:
AATG-NGE 4 (ca.15-17 years)
B2/C1 DSD II (approx. 16-17 years)
