A reading and writing task with online research, ideal for end of term / topic. Students read about the Weber family and research possibilities for a summer holiday for them. Students should make suggestions which match the family’s interests and write to them in German with suggested itinerary / activities. Some German tourist websites are given as a starting point, and key phrases are offered to help students put their suggestions into sentences. Proven in class to be a motivating task, with strong links to the ‘real world’ and GCSE Urlaub theme.

4 paragraphs covering all aspects of the environment, and a range of group activities to consolidate the language. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES: Students get 4 paragraphs in German, each in a different colour: a) match up each English sentence with a coloured paragraph. b) students read each paragraph with a partner, taking turns to read 1, 2, or 3 words at a time before their partner takes over. They alternate who reads. Person who reads the last word in the paragraph loses. c) In pairs, students are given 4 small bits of scrap paper which they label gelb / gruen / rosa blau. Teacher reads a few words from one paragraph and students have to grab the correct colour before their partner. d) in groups of 4 (ideally) with one captain - captain is given page 2 and calls out a short phrase in English. The student who gives the EXACT translation in German gets a point. Continue with a time limit. Great activity for engaging and broadening vocabulary. Could be followed by students writing their own paragraphs, which they could then write questions about for others to answer.

4 paragraphs in German inviting a friend to a Christmas party, and a range of group activities to consolidate the language. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES: Students get 4 paragraphs in German, each in a different colour: a) match up each English sentence with a coloured paragraph. b) students read each paragraph with a partner, taking turns to read 1, 2, or 3 words at a time before their partner takes over. They alternate who reads. Person who reads the last word in the paragraph loses. c) In pairs, students are given 4 small bits of scrap paper which they label gelb / gruen / rosa / blau. Teacher reads a few words from one paragraph and students have to grab the correct colour before their partner. d) in groups of 4 (ideally) with one captain - captain is given page 2 and calls out a short phrase in English. The student who gives the EXACT translation in German gets a point. Continue with a time limit. Great activity for engaging and broadening vocabulary. Could be followed by students writing their own paragraphs, which they could then write questions about for others to answer.

4 paragraphs in German relating to music, and a range of group activities to consolidate the language. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES: Students get 4 paragraphs in German, each in a different colour: a) match up each English sentence with a coloured paragraph. b) students read each paragraph with a partner, taking turns to read 1, 2, or 3 words at a time before their partner takes over. They alternate who reads. Person who reads the last word in the paragraph loses. c) In pairs, students are given 4 small bits of scrap paper which they label gelb / gruen / rosa / blau. Teacher reads a few words from one paragraph and students have to grab the correct colour before their partner. d) in groups of 4 (ideally) with one captain - captain is given page 2 and calls out a short phrase in English. The student who gives the EXACT translation in German gets a point. Continue with a time limit. Great activity for engaging and broadening vocabulary. Could be followed by students writing their own paragraphs, which they could then write questions about for others to answer.

Powerpoint giving examples of how different connective types can be used. The rules can be applied in all contexts but examples relating to Jobs & Work are used here. There is a range of examples and challenges, including gap sentences where students work out which connective fits best, and a writing task to redraft a letter of application. Used many times in lessons, this resource is proven to motivate and give clarity on this key grammar point.

Ideal for topics relating to friends and going out, these ‘chat up’ phrases encourage interaction and develop students’ skill in choosing specific phrase types for different purposes. Works well with Year 9. Get students asking each other out and encourage them to play ‘hard to get’ so that the ‘asker’ has to try a bit harder and the conversations are more extended. Give it a go!

A listening task or assessment on the topic of Friends. Ideal as an end of unit test but could be used at any point in a unit about friends and relationships at KS3 (esp Y9) or KS4. The teacher reads the transcript. This is suitable for all abilities.

Sheet showing the 3 connective types in German with examples of how to use them. Useful for adding variety to students’ writing and speaking, and for encouraging ambition.

Three role play dialogues about the local environment for students to practise and peer assess in pairs. Includes bullet point prompts for student A and a script with suggested answers for the interviewer. There is also a peer assessment grid. Students would ideally have several goes at each role play, possibly with different students around the class, each adding their feedback at the end. Proven motivating and engaging activity.

This help sheet, with examples and exercises, looks at how to translate the verb ‘get’. Students often confuse ‘bekommen’ and ‘werden’. This sheet is proven to help students choose the correct verb.

When marking German essays, teachers only need to number any grammar errors and students than then refer to the related notes to help them self correct. This sheet contains common errors made by my KS4 students over several years. It has developed their ability to discuss and ‘fix’ errors independently.

4 German role-plays to practise on a theme of holidays and tourism. Students take turns to be the ‘examiner’. Can be repeated until students can do all 4 from memory. Proven to boost performance on role-play tasks in GCSE exams.

To find the correct article to go with a noun, start at square one and answer the questions until you arrive at the correct word. Colours indicate the ending on any adjective that is used. Good for getting students used to the factors that determine the case of a noun. Covers NOM, ACC and DAT but no GEN.

3 role-play tasks based on the topic of free time and fitness. One student plays part of the interviewer and has a model script. The other plays the TV star interviewee and has the English prompts. Some utterances need to be in different tenses. There is also a peer assessment feedback sheet. These tasks are proven in class to be motivating and to encourage interaction.

One page reference sheet for determining different cases and adjective endings. It also addresses pronouns and case-specific prepositions. Ideal for 6th formers working independently. Proven to improve accuracy.

Some ‘fun’ phrases to help students to react to their partners’ comments during speaking tasks. Encourages experimentation and interaction, and adds an element of authenticity to speaking work. A proven motivator.

Useful phrases for use during listening tasks which students can use to discuss what they have heard. Students make notes in German when listening, then with a partner, use their notes and the help sheet to discuss the content of the audio. This encourages extended use of the target language and promotes interaction.

Original song about a hamster called Habensein, to practise the 2 verbs, with accompanying gap text. Audio file of song is on the Powerpoint. Proven activity to motivate and engage students in the classroom.

Useful phrases and structures to describe pictures. Includes language to describe what is in the picture but also ideas on how students can be more imaginative and ambitious. Motivating and engaging.

This sheet gives students suggestions about how to include ambitious sentences in a GCSE essay about hobbies. In preparation for the essay, students translate 9 sentences (page 1) that would fit the essay bullet points. They use the grammar notes (page 2) to help them. Answers are on page 3. Once complete students should write their own essay. This task has produced some excellent essays for me in the past, and has helped those who frequently complain that they ‘don’t know what to write’.