German in Secondary School

Transcription

1 German in Secondary School I. Introductory Statement II. German language teaching III. The structure of German tuition at St. Kilian s IV. Examinations and certification V. Hamburg Exchange VI. Würzburg Exchange VII. Assessment VIII. Success criteria IX. Review I. Introductory Statement As a German school in Ireland, St. Kilian s belongs to the network of German Schools Abroad supported by the Central Agency for German Schools Abroad in Cologne (Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen). At the same time the St. Kilian s Secondary school is a recognized Irish post-primary school; it follows the Irish curriculum and prepares students for the Irish state examinations (Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate). As a German School of Encounter (Begegnungsschule) however, St. Kilian s endeavours to provide students with an education that incorporates in-depth exposure to different cultures. As the majority of our students are not German or familiar with the German culture, this means that St. Kilian s wishes to offer students an experience of the German language and culture that puts them in a position where they can confidently face the rapid and comprehensive changes modern Europeans are subject to. At St. Kilian s the European experience is broadened by the inclusion of the Secondary students of the Lycée Français d Irlande at Junior Cycle level in the Eurocampus project. 1

2 II. German language teaching Perception of culture is through language. This is why at St. Kilian s, besides Irish, German language tuition is mandatory. German is taught as a Foreign Language (DaF) to speakers of other mother tongues, albeit with an extended time frame and therefore broader objectives than in other Irish secondary schools. At the same time students with native speaker proficiency are taught German as Mother Tongue (DM) in a curricular framework derived from the Educational Standards defined by the German Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education of the Federal States (Bildungsstandards der KMK) and the Standard Requirements for the German Abitur Examinations (Einheitliche Prüfungsanforderungen für das Abitur). For St. Kilian s students classified as DM learners, German is recognized as a subject meeting Abitur requirements by the German authorities; for DaF students, German is recognized as a foreign language. All students are prepared for the Irish Leaving Certificate examination in German at Higher Level; only in exceptional circumstances will students be permitted to sit the exam at Ordinary Level (see below). In addition, St. Kilian s offers additional examinations certifying up to Level C1 of the Common European Reference Framework: Sprachdiplom I and Sprachdiplom II. The school offers also a Bilingual Leaving Certificate. III. The structure of German tuition at St. Kilian s Efficient language teaching requires communicative opportunity and content. This is why St. Kilian s tries to make use of the fact that the campus is shared by students with different mother tongues, by creating situations in which both foreign language learners and native speakers can communicate through the medium of the target language. This is why St. Kilian s uses content-based foreign language learning besides traditional foreign course structures from Primary school upwards. 1. Junior Cycle At Junior Cycle level, St. Kilian s offers three different German courses: DN, DF, DM: 2

3 DN The DN course is for students who join St. Kilian s at Secondary level (1st year /7th class) without prior knowledge of German. The course comprises 8 classes per week; it prepares students for the Higher level Junior Certificate examination. At the same time it lays the foundation for the Sprachdiplom I for students with good exam results (B or better) at Junior Certificate level (class 10: Sprachdiplom exam). DF/ DS (from class 9 on) The DF/DS course is based on the Primary school German course for foreign language learners. It comprises 6 classes per week and includes also German Cultural Studies (Landeskunde). It is complemented by 2 content- based learning classes in International History (Internationale Geschichte). It prepares for the Sprachdiplom I in class 9 besides the Junior Certificate. DM The DM course comprises 6 classes per week complemented by 2 classes of International History. Students are prepared for the Irish Junior Certificate at Higher Level but at the same time the course follows the German requirements set out above to facilitate the students reentry into the German school system. Students are expected to sit the Sprachdiplom I examination in class 9. Landeskunde (German Cultural Studies) is an integrated part of German lessons and focuses on the learning area of cultural awareness. It introduces pragmatic aspects (e.g. lexical, structural and communicative skills) besides factual and cultural information to put the students in a position from which they can assess the differences and creative potential of the different cultures of Ireland and Germany. International History (Internationale Geschichte) In addition to the DF/DS and DM courses the students participate in one contentbased subject as part of their overall linguistic development in German: Internationale Geschichte (2 classes/week) is a History course that complements the regular English-language History course. It focuses on European and World history and develops text comprehension and writing skills. This includes Historyspecific methodical and register skills. This course structure ends with the Junior Certificate. 2. Transition Year St. Kilian s offers four different German courses: DN, DL, DF, DM: a) Allocation Procedure: Students are allocated by the subject teachers at a meeting chaired by the Department Head in time before the beginning of the school year. The subject teachers will consult with the parents in case of a change orally or 3

4 in writing before allocation takes place. The allocation is communicated in writing by written note. In cases of doubt the allocation decision will be taken by the Department Head; it can be appealed to the Principal, whose decision is final. The decision is based on students academic and linguistic proficiency in the language and the results of the Sprachdiplom I exam but may take further pedagogic factors into account. As a general rule, students who have not achieved a B grade in all their German subjects and at Junior Certificate level are not admitted to the courses that have objectives beyond the Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) in German. b) Course structure: DN(Deutsch neu: Complete beginners) DL (Deutsch Leaving Certificate: German since 7th class) The courses, 9 classes per week (3 classes German Cultural Studies included), prepare students exclusively for the Leaving Cert in 12 th class. The DS ( Deutsches Sprachdiplom) course (6 classes per week) follows an enhanced DL curriculum. It goes beyond the objectives of the DL course in so far as it prepares students for the Sprach-diplom stage II in 12 th class. The Transition Year DScourse is also used to prepare those students for the Sprachdiplom I examination who didn t pass the exam in 9th class. The DM course (6 classes per week) prepares students for the Leaving Certificate in 12 th class as well as for the DSD II examination in 12 th class and it complies also with the standards of the German Kultusministerkonfe-renz. Enrolment in the course depends on the results of the DSD I examination and on the teachers recommendation. In contrast to other years the Transition Year does not strictly follow a prescribed curriculum. It gives teachers and students leeway to explore areas of learning outside the examinations-focused curriculum, e.g. in the area of cultural awareness (student exchange, media studies, literature appreciation, drama, etc.) All courses prepare the final Senior Cycle allocation for 11th and 12th class (5th and 6th year). Students of the DS and DM course do not only sit the Leaving Certificate but also the Sprachdiplom examination stage II in 12 th class. Therefore, academic studies and intense work in German are very important in Transition 4

5 Year. International History (only for DS- and DM courses): The IG course (3 classes a week) continues up to the outbreak of World War I. It prepares students for the bilingual option of the Senior Cycle. German Cultural Studies (Landeskunde) Landeskunde is in general included in German classes. Students acquire cultural, historic, social and political information on Germany. The subject endeavours to integrate IT skills into its teaching as the internet is a relevant source of information for many of these topics. c) Senior Cycle Options: At the end of the Transition Year and as part of the subject choice process (see Subject Choice Policy), students are in a position to choose the Bilingual Leaving Certificate Option. 3. Senior Cycle (class 11 and 12) The students are allocated in the following German courses: DL DS DLL This course (6 classes per week) follows the national curriculum for German (Leaving Certificate, Higher Level) and prepares students for the relevant State Examination only. This course (6 classes per week) also follows the national curriculum (Leaving Certificate, Higher Level) but also prepares students for the Sprachdiplom II examination in 6th year / 12th class. Access to this course is based on at least a C grade (= Note 3) in all German subjects at the end of Transition Year, and continued performance on a C grade at the end of 11th class / 5th year. Enrolment in the DS course implies a mandatory commitment on the part of the student and the student s parents for the student to sit the DSD II examination. This course (6 classes per week) follows the national curriculum for German (Leaving Certificate, Higher Level) as it is incorporated into the curriculum for German Language & Literature. This course is mandatory for all DM students as well as for those students who wish to go for the Bilingual Leaving Certificate. It focuses more on text production than the regular course, and on cultural awareness. As part of the course, students will also be prepared for the mandatory Sprachdiplom II examination. The reallocation to another class is dependent and contingent upon consultation and agreement with the subject teacher and the Head of the German Department only. 5

6 History (Bilingual History) The Bilingual Leaving Certificate requires students to choose this subject (4 periods of European and World History in German and 4 periods of Irish History in English) as well as the DLL course (see page 7 Bilingual Leaving Certificate). IV. Examinations and certification 1. Junior Certificate All students will sit the Junior Certificate Higher Level. However, exceptions are made for students who have struggled to reach adequate proficiency to sit the Junior Certificate at higher level and are encouraged to opt for ordinary level. 2. Deutsches Sprachdiplom I and II The German Sprachdiplom takes place in 9th and 12th class. For students studying Sprachdiplom it is important to note that this exam is not optional. One of the requirements of the German school status is that DM- and DF-students participate in and complete the Sprachdiplom I and II. Students who fail DSD I can resit the exam in 10th class based on the recommendation after a review of the DSD I results. Following an overall assessment of the student s performance at Sprachdiplom I level, a decision regarding a repeat of this examination will be taken at a special German Department Meeting. The decision will be communicated in writing to the parents. If the student doesn t resit the DSD I exam, he/she will have to move to the DL class. In all other cases a change into the DL class is only possible in exceptional cases and it needs the approval of both subject teacher and the Head of the German Department. Should parents not agree they can appeal the decision to the principal in writing whose decision is binding. 3. Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) All students will sit the Leaving Certificate Higher Level. However, exceptions are 6

7 made for students who have struggled to reach adequate proficiency to sit the Leaving Certificate at higher level and are encouraged to opt for ordinary level. 4. Bilingual Leaving Certificate The Bilingual Leaving Certificate requires students to choose the German Language and Literature course DLL as well as the History course (4 periods European and World History in German and 4 periods of Irish History in English). Students who pass both components of the Bilingual Course are awarded the Bilingual Leaving Certificate. The examination in German will be based on an enhanced version of the higher level German Leaving Certificate syllabus. 5. Special arrangements Special arrangements may be made for students who are new to the school and have not the expected level of proficiency they would require to successfully take a Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate examination at ordinary level. 6. Awards The German Department awards students in the following cases: a) Prizes for special achievements in German (class 7 to 12) b) Class 8 DF/ DN: Sponsored trip to a German speaking area. Students must provide evidence of their stay and present a report on their activities while away. c) Class 8 DM: Deutsch lesen (book), hören (CD), sehen (film) V. Hamburg Exchange This is an exchange offered by the German department in 10th class (TY). There is always only a certain number of places available and a place in this exchange is not guaranteed automatically. The decision who will be allowed to participate is taken by the German Department together with the subject teachers and the accompanying teachers and refers to language competence, the disciplinary record of a student and the medical fitness to undertake a work experience placement. Interested students are invited to apply. All applications are reviewed in the context 7

8 of the above. Where a student has been denied the opportunity to go to Hamburg following the consultation with teachers and year heads, this information is communicated to the student and parents at a meeting. At the meeting the parents are informed that they have a right to appeal this decision to the principal. The appeal must be submitted in writing. The principal will consult with the relevant parties and communicate his decision in writing to the parents. This decision is binding. Should the above-mentioned disciplinary record of a student deteriorate during the school year, the school reserves the right to withdraw the student from the exchange. Should there be a student on a waiting list the school will choose him / her instead to go to Hamburg. The above mentioned appeal procedure also applies to this situation. As this is an approved educational exchange, the work placement complies with the Protection of Young Persons (Employment Act) 1996: (...) an employer may employ a child who is over the age of 14 years and who is a full-time student at an institute of secondary education pursuant to any arrangements made or approved of by the Minister for Education as part of a programme of work experience or educational programme. Provided that the hours of work do not exceed 8 hours in any day or 40 hours in any week. VI. Würzburg Exchange The school offers a new exchange program for students in Year 7 with the Siebold-Gymnasium in Würzburg. There is always only a certain number of places available and a place in this exchange is not guaranteed automatically. The proposed dates for the exchange: Before or after Easter break: Würzburg students will stay in Dublin June: Our students will visit Würzburg (holidays in Dublin but normal school in Würzburg) The students will be hosted by the families of their exchange partners for the duration of the exchange. They will participate in outings to places of interest organized by the school and they have also the opportunity to experience a typical school day. The exchange has the following aims: To encourage intercultural learning and activities To facilitate and create opportunities for language learning and practice To broaden the horizon To encourage mutual understanding between the nations 8

9 Interested students are invited to apply. A good disciplinary record is a prerequisite to be considered for the exchange. Where a student has been denied the opportunity to go to Würzburg following the consultation with teachers and yearhead, this information is communicated to the student and parents at a meeting. At the meeting the parents are informed that they have a right to appeal this decision to the principal. The appeal must be submitted in writing. The principal will consult with the relevant parties and communicate his decision in writing to the parents. This decision is binding. Should the above-mentioned disciplinary record of a student deteriorate during the school year, the school reserves the right to withdraw the student from the exchange. Should there be a student on a waiting list the school will choose him / her instead to go to Würzburg. The above mentioned appeal procedure also applies to this situation. VII. Assessment The assessment procedures are based on the assessment policy of the school. Pupils are assessed continuously throughout the year. The assessments are based on: a) written tests of minutes duration; b) class work, as in oral participation, vocabulary work, brief tests, homework, copy maintenance etc. The results of these tests are included in the grading of the pupils on their reports. Students are tested on listening competence, oral competence and written competence. All grades are reflected in the average entered in the reports. The grades are recorded electronically. Teachers keep their own detailed records until the end of cycle of a student. In class 7, 8 and 11, an End-of-Year Exam in German takes place in the last school week. 9 DM has only 3 tests in the year. The IG course in class 7 and 8 constitute part of this examination. The result of the End-of-Year Exam will be included in the final average result, to be entered in the summer report. End-of- Year Exams are generally of a 2-hour duration (one quarter of the written performance). VIII. Success criteria 9

10 The German Department aims for oral and aural proficiency so that the students can successfully attempt Higher Level at Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate. For struggling students there is the option of taking the exams at Ordinary Level. IX. Review This policy will be reviewed annually towards the end of the school year by the German department. The members of the German department meet on a regular basis. All sections of the policy will be reviewed and evaluated. Necessary changes or additions will be discussed and made by the German Department. 19th June