Language

German Language Program

At our school, all students from Foundation to Year 6 participate in a 45-minute German lesson each week. These lessons are held in a dedicated German classroom, where students are immersed in the language through interactive, hands-on learning experiences.

Our specialist teachers, Frau Ulrike Lindner and Frau Angelina Rosas-Ortiz, deliver lessons primarily in German, supporting students to communicate in the language they are learning. Through engaging activities such as games, songs, stories, videos, and digital tools, students build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a supportive environment.

The program is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, supporting students to:

• communicate in German
• understand the relationship between language, culture, and learning
• develop intercultural capabilities
• understand themselves as communicators.

Students are encouraged to use German as much as possible during classroom routines, social interactions, structured tasks, and language experimentation. As they learn, they also develop an understanding of how language and culture shape communication, and reflect on their language use in ways that support learning across other areas of the curriculum.

Cultural experiences are an essential part of the program. Two major highlights each year are our whole-school Oktoberfest celebration and participation in the AGTV German Poetry Competition. Oktoberfest brings German culture to life through performances, singing, dancing, traditional food, costumes, and themed activities. The poetry competition gives students the opportunity to memorise and perform a German poem, enhancing their confidence in pronunciation and expression while connecting with peers from other Victorian schools.

These rich and authentic learning opportunities help students develop both their German language skills and a deeper appreciation for the cultures of German-speaking communities.