St. Kilian’s German School is in the unique situation that it has a sizeable number (about 25%) of German speaking students. This makes it possible to teach children in an environment in which foreign language learners and native speakers work and play together and learn each others’ languages.
Outside of a German speaking country, the language requires the controlled environment of the classroom.
At St. Kilian’s, the teaching of German follows these principles:
- to provide both foreign language learners and native speakers with instruction appropriate to their specific needs
- to mix these groups as much as possible to increase mutual acceptance of their languages and to establish both groups as linguistic role models
There are three subjects which are taught through the medium of German:
German according to mother tongue language: German Mother tongue (DM) or German Foreign tongue – (DF). Pupils have 5 periods of German per week in classes 1-4 and 6 periods per week in classes 5 and 6.
Sachkunde in classes 1-4. These classes are used to further enhance vocabulary in German and to develop an understanding of Germany and German culture. Pupils have 2 periods per week.
Projekt Deutsch in classes 5 and 6. This is new development in the teaching of German in the Primary School and will incorporate the teaching of Sachkunde and modular teaching of various topics. Pupils will be taught according to their German groups as in previous years but also in mixed Dm/Df groups. Pupils will have 3 periods per week.
