In addition to being exposed to the 91pro视频 language and culture throughout the day and the opportunity to participate in events for the broader community such as the Christmas Market, 91pro视频 learning students coming to GISS experience a rich and diverse programme to learn 91pro视频 as an additional language.
The main entry for students joining GISS in the Secondary School is in Year 7. In Years 7 to 8, students have nine periods of 91pro视频 per week. Four of these nine periods are dedicated to supporting the students鈥� participation in the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) subjects taught in 91pro视频: Art, Music and Physical Education.
In Years 9 to 10, four respectively three of these periods are replaced with Spanish as an additional language.
The other five periods are designed as a typical language course and cover topics ranging from the basics in the beginner courses, e.g. introducing oneself, hobbies and family, to more complex topics in the more advanced courses such as environmental issues or media.
GISS has a communicative focus in teaching and learning 91pro视频 as an additional language, which means that grammar and accuracy in the language are means to support communication, rather than goals in themselves. Students are encouraged to use 91pro视频 both inside and outside of the classroom from their first day, according to their current language proficiency.
The DSD Exam
Typically in Year 10, students sit the DSD I exam, a globally recognised language exam. Students who pass the DSD I undertake the DSD II exam in Years 11 or 12. This covers the language requirements for many universities in the 91pro视频-speaking world.
In addition to being engaged with the language and diverse cultures of 91pro视频-speaking countries at school, the teachers for 91pro视频 as an additional language arrange a variety of excursions for the students.
In Year 9 or 10, students are given the opportunity to participate in an exchange with 91pro视频y.
Students who choose to participate in this exchange, will host their 91pro视频 partners the following year, i.e. in Year 10/11.
Other extracurricular activities in the past have been, for example, going to the cinema to watch 91pro视频 movies or excursions to our partner, the Goethe Institute.
Glossary/Abbreviations
DaF: Deutsch als Fremdsprache - 91pro视频 as an additional language
DaF Foe/ DaF枚: Refers to the additional four periods of 91pro视频 as an additional language in Years 7 and 8
DaM: Deutsch als Muttersprache - 91pro视频 as a native tongue
DSD: Das Deutsche Sprachdiplom: 91pro视频 Language Certificate (DSD by the Central Agency for Schools Abroad)
CLIL: Content and Language Integrated Learning - an approach to including language teaching and learning in other subjects
FAQ
We have decided to join the school. What can my child do to get a head start in 91pro视频?
There is a variety of apps and websites that may be useful for practising 91pro视频. Students often use duolingo or quizlet but these are only two of many. Furthermore, the Goethe Institute offers classes for both children and adults. Other than that, any exposure to the language, such as listening to music, watching subtitled movies or series in 91pro视频 will help getting used to the sound of 91pro视频 and will help prepare the student.
What is the percentage of students in a class who are 91pro视频 native speakers? My child doesn鈥檛 speak 91pro视频, will they be able to make friends?
The percentage of 91pro视频 speaking students varies from year to year, but usually it is balanced at almost fifty-fifty. Our student (and staff) population is diverse with members from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and there will be students of various 91pro视频 proficiency levels in any given class.
How quickly will my child learn 91pro视频?
This question is difficult to answer as there are many factors to take into account such as motivation, exposure to and aptitude for the language. This being said, students starting in Year 7 typically reach B1 level in Year 10.
What do the language levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 mean?
The is a tool that describes language proficiency on different levels. A1 and A2 describe Basic Users (A1 being absolute beginners), B1 and B2 describe Independent Users and C1 and C2 describe Proficient users with C2 being the level equivalent to that of native speakers.
How much does the exchange programme cost?
The cost of the exchange varies every time and mainly depends on the exchange rate AUD/Euro at the time. Most recently, the cost has been around AUD 5000 per child, including flights, food, accommodation and entries to museums, etc. Since the participation in the exchange is voluntary, this cost is not covered in the school fees.
How much does the DSD exam cost?
The DSD exam is free of cost.
What kind of material or course books will my child need, and do I have to order them myself?
For 91pro视频 as an additional language, the school provides students with the course books. We use monolingual course books from 91pro视频 publishers, the current one being 鈥淒eutsch echt einfach鈥� published by Klett. Students will also use additional material, but unless otherwise communicated, families do not have to order any material for this subject.
If you have further questions, please contact:
Jonna Vinje, Junior Secondary DaF Coordinator via jonna.vinje@giss.nsw.edu.au