Seasonal topics in german
Ice cream flavours and picnics make great summer topics, especially when the sun is shining! A nice activity to do to practise ice cream flavours is to design an ice cream menu, including pictures with German words next to them.
Two more great themes for the summer is the beach and the campsite! A great activity to do to practise these words is to draw a picture of a beach or design a campsite, and then to label the things below in German! Remember to have a look back from time to time at these words to see if you can remember them.
Printable activities
World diabetes day - Thursday 14th November
World diabetes day is a good opportunity to discuss in German the importance of eating healthy food and doing physical exercise.
To print the pdf about World diabetes day, click on the arrow in the top right corner of the pdf, then select print. This pdf may be photocopied for class or home use.
German Christmas card
To make a German Christmas card click on the pdf and print.
Next fold the card in half and colour the Christmas card.
To say Happy Christmas in German we say "Frohe Weichnacthen".
Easter activity sheet
For the first part of the Easter activity sheet match the German words to the English words by drawing a line. In the second part there are three things to draw.
To print the pdf, click on the arrow in the top right corner of the pdf, then select print.
This pdf may be photocopied for class or home use.
Frequently asked questions
Why learn German?
1. German and English have the same Germanic roots. And as a result of this there are many similar words.
2. German is spoken in Germany, Austria and part of Switzerland.
3. There are about 95 million native German speakers worldwide.
4. German is considered important for business. Germany has the biggest economy in the European Union.
5. Many brilliant scientists, inventors, artists and musicians are German.
6. German is one of the most spoken languages in the European Union.
7. German is useful for travel to countries where German is spoken as a first or second language.
8. A knowledge of German can enhance your CV.
Are there any English words used in German?
There are many English words that are used in the German language: Baby, Ball, Bus, Computer, Hobby, Hotel, Job, Name, Park, Radio, Taxi, Tourist, T-shirt, Zoo.
Are there any German words that are similar to English words?
There are many German words that are similar to English words as both languages have the same Germanic routes. Here are some examples: Apfel - apple, Buch - book, Foto - photo, Garten - garden, Haus - house,
Lampe - lamp, Mann - man, Maus - mouse, Milch - milk, Wasser - water
What is the best way to learn German words?
1. Keep a record of the German words your child is learning.
2. Start by focussing on 3 or 4 new words at a time for children under 7.
3. For children over 7, try introducing 6, 7 or 8 new words at a time.
4. Review a few words on a regular basis, either by asking your child to say some words in German or English. or by incorporating the words you are reviewing into a homemade board game or poster.
5. Praise your child as much as possible to help build their confidence in their ability to learn German.
6. Ask your child to look back through a German activity book or colouring book they have completed to choose a page that they feel they deserve a sticker or a tick and the German word "Gut" (good) written on.
7. Ask your child to quiz their favourite teddy or soft toy on how to say some words in English or German.
(And either the parent or the child can pretend to answer on behalf of the toy!)
8. Practise writing the words in different coloured pencils or pens.
Let's make learning German fun!