How Families can support German language learning in a unique environment
While learners in German-speaking countries - for example students at the European Schools in Frankfurt, Karlsruhe or Munich - benefit from everyday immersion in the German language, be it when shopping or in the media, learners outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland, such as here in Alicante, often have to manage without this wealth of daily language contact.
The number of language contacts is increased, for example, by the fact that in addition to language lessons, subject lessons are also held in German.
In addition, it is highly recommended that families actively support their children's German learning process by enabling them to have regular and intensive encounters with the German language outside of school.
The more language contacts, the better the language acquisition and motivation!
Below are tips for families on how they can enable more encounters with the German language for their child.
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Utilising the family's own knowkledge of German
Parents, grandparents, or other family members who speak German can be a valuable resource. They can communicate with the children regularly in German, play games, tell stories, or sing songs to promote their language skills and strengthen their interaction in the language.
Online article (German) - What role do grandparents play in their grandchildren's language acquisition?
Conversation classes, private tutoring
Families can provide their children with the opportunity to participate in conversation classes or private tutoring. This allows children to engage in regular conversations in German outside of school with a qualified teacher or tutor. For example, they can meet weekly with a native speaker or participate in an online session to discuss various topics and improve their language skills.
Google search on the topic – Click on the link to get directly to a Google search on the topic.
Audio courses
Audio courses are a practical way for children to improve their German skills by practicing listening comprehension and learning new vocabulary. Families can provide their children with audio courses that they can listen to during their free time, be it while travelling to school or playing at home.
DW Audiotrainer - Learning German on the go
DW Deutschtrainer - Audio-visual German exercises
ZEIT Sprachen - Combined listening and reading exercises
Language camps, language trips
Language camps or language trips to German-speaking countries offer children an intensive and immersive experience to improve their language skills. By interacting with native speakers and participating in various activities, children can practice and strengthen their German skills in an authentic environment.
JUVIGO - Language holidays and youth trips
Goethe-Institut - Language camps and youth courses, digital language camp
Camp-Fuchs - Adventure, learning, and language camps
Camp Adventure - Multilingual language camps for children and teenagers
Semester abroad
For older students, a semester abroad in a German-speaking country offers a unique opportunity to experience the language and culture firsthand. During a semester abroad, students can immerse themselves in daily school life and community living in Germany, deepening their German language skills in a natural environment.
An exchange semester in a German-speaking social environment is available to S5 students, for example, at the European Schools in Frankfurt, Munich, and Karlsruhe.
Information about the exchange program
Regularly watching movies and series on demand in German
Regularly watching German movies and series, ideally with German subtitles, is an enjoyable way for children to improve their listening comprehension and become familiar with the German language. Families can select movies and series that match their children's interests and encourage them to engage with the German language in this manner regularly.
Radio and Television
Listening to German-language radio stations and watching German television shows are fantastic ways to strengthen listening comprehension, get accustomed to the natural rhythm and melody of the language, and stay informed about current events and cultural topics.
Logo - Children's news program
ARTE Journal Junior - News for young viewers
Neuneinhalb - Children's news with the Mouse
Tagesschau - News for adults and older teenagers
Online video formats
Online video formats such as the media libraries of television broadcasters or platforms like YouTube offer a versatile way for children to improve their German skills and explore various content. Families can allow their children to watch German-language content like documentaries, vlogs, educational, or entertainment videos. This helps children train their listening comprehension, learn new words and expressions, and gain a deeper understanding of German culture and lifestyle.
ARD-Mediathek - Series, reports, and films for children and adults (VPN sometimes required)
ZDF-Mediathek - Series, reports, and films for children and adults (VPN sometimes required)
Karambolage - Getting to know German, French, and Spanish customs
Sing mit mir - Children's songs to sing along
Nicos Weg (YouTube) oder Nicos Weg (DW) - Learn German with the film "Nicos Weg"
Extra auf Deutsch - A sitcom for learning German
Jojo sucht das Glück - A telenovela for learning German
Deutsche Welle - Learn German with videos
Planet Schule oder Planet Wissen - Reports and documentaries
Deutschlerner-Blog - Learning German grammar, vocabulary, and culture with videos
Online newspapers
Reading articles on German-language online newspapers such as ZEIT online, FAZ online, ntv.de, Spiegel Online, etc., offers an excellent way for children and teenagers to improve their reading skills while staying informed about current events and topics. Families can encourage their children to regularly read articles on these websites and discuss the content to deepen their language comprehension and expand their general knowledge.
Chinderzytig - Swiss online newspaper for children
Kleine Kinderzeitung - Austrian children's newspaper
Klickerkids - Online newspaper by children for children
ZEIT LEO - Children's edition of the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT
NAJUversum - Children's articles on environmental protection
Münchner Kinderzeitung - Munich children's newspaper online
KiWi - News for children on the internet
Podcasts
Listening to German-language podcasts is an excellent way for children to improve their listening comprehension while engaging with interesting topics. Families can offer their children podcasts that match their interests, whether it's music, history, science, or entertainment. By regularly listening to podcasts, children can further develop their language comprehension and expand their vocabulary.
ARD Audio Library - Audioplays, stories, and fairy tales for children
GEOlino Spezial - Science podcast for children
Ohrenbär - Audio stories for children
Kakadu - Answering questions curious children ask
Podcast "Logo" to go – The Logo TV news available as audio
Reading German-language books
Reading German-language books that match children's interests is an effective way to expand their vocabulary and improve reading comprehension. Families can provide their children with books about popular personalities or topics to foster their interest in reading while strengthening their German skills.
Sports and Fitness - Biographies of football players, basketball players, or extreme athletes
Travel and Adventure - Travel stories, explorers, and adventure tales from around the world
Technology und Innovation - Biographies of tech pioneers like Elon Musk
Music and Pop Culture - Biographies of favorite musicians and bands
E-Sports and Gaming - Achievements in the gaming world, biographies of famous gamers
Fantasy and Science Fiction - Young adult book series, fantasy novels like "Harry Potter"
Environment and Sustainability - Climate change, practical tips for environmental protection
School library
The school library is a valuable resource that offers a wide selection of German-language books and materials for all language levels. Families can encourage their children to use the library at school to borrow German-language books and improve their reading skills.
Information about the school library
Audiobooks and radio plays
Listening to audiobooks in German is another way to practice listening comprehension and become familiar with the language. Children can also enjoy radio plays during their free time, whether relaxing at home or on the go.
NDR radio plays – Exciting adventures, crazy worlds, and funny stories for children.
Language learning apps
Language learning apps like Duolingo offer interactive exercises and lessons to improve German skills in a playful way. Children can use the app to learn vocabulary, practice grammar, and strengthen their proficiency in the foreign language.
Online platforms
The Goethe-Institut offers a variety of resources and courses for learning German. Families can encourage their children to use these and other online platforms to improve their language skills and establish connections with the German-speaking world.
Language learning games and German-language PC programs
Using language learning games and German-language PC programs is a fun and interactive way for children to improve their German skills. There are a variety of software applications and online games specifically designed for language learning, which promote various skills such as vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, and pronunciation. Families can allow their children to play such games and use programs to increase their motivation for language learning while strengthening their language skills.