German is a compulsory language subject and an important element of our curriculum for all students, from Early Learning to Grade 12.
In Early Learning, our German teachers come into the classroom to introduce our youngest students to German or further develop their skills in a playful manner via picture books, song and theater. Students are divided into two groups according to their knowledge of German and taught during eight periods within a two-week cycle.
In Grades 1 - 4, German native speakers and those newer to the language are divided into four separate groups according to language ability. Lessons follow the state of North Rhine Westphalia curriculum and are held in special classrooms equipped with a range of German language resources. Students have nine German classes within a two-week schedule.
In Grades 5 - 6, German classes bring students from Primary and Secondary Schools together for instruction. In such a way, we are able to offer four levels of German according to proficiency. This system also gives our Grade 5 students the opportunity to experience the expectations and environment they will transition into in the Secondary School. Students have seven periods of German within a two-week schedule.
Students in Grades 7 - 10 continue with their German studies within a system merging two grade levels (Grades 7 and 8 together, and Grades 9 and 10 together). This provides for teaching German at four levels, from mother tongue to beginner, within seven periods during a two-week schedule.
German is offered in Grades 11 - 12 within the course selection. Students may choose to study German as a Language A option (mother tongue level) or Language B option (additional language). Students who study both English and German (or another mother-tongue) at Language A level are eligible to obtain a bilingual IB Diploma.