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German as a Foreign Language (DaF)

International Section

Do you know the benefits of learning a foreign language, especially German?

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Studying German or French is not an easy task -- it takes some time, needs dedication and discipline and practise. But the reward is quite strong, and there are lots of benefits. Here are just a few of them: language learning enhances and strengthens

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  • brain activity and memory 

  • academic performance and cognitive skills 

  • multitasking

  • cultural unterstanding 

  • your native language skills 

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Moreover, it improves career opportunities by allowing you to study in the best universities worldwide and work in transnational companies which are typical of today's globalized economy.

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If you want to know more about the advantages and opportunities of German universities, you might find some useful information here.

 

With our teaching concept, we ensure that our students are advancing fast in German and benefit from the positive effects of multilingualism.

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Kindergarten

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Teaching German as a Foreign Language (DaF) in Kindergarten is done informally in two lessons per week and aims to awaken the children's interest in the new language and to familiarize them with the rhythm of the German language. With the support of songs, books and various games the pupils form a first passive vocabulary that steadily increases over the course of two years.

 

Preschool

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The formal DaF-teaching at preschool builds on the previously acquired knowledge. The lesson will take place on two days for one hour each in a small group of a maximum of eight students. The active use of first words with situation reference should be encouraged, and the formation of simple main clauses should be learned.

 

Language Fostering from the 1st up to 5th Grade (Primary)

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With the beginning of primary school our students receive four hours of DaF lessons per week in each class. The lessons follow the "DaF framework of the GESM”.

 

Language Fostering from 6th up to 9th Grade (Secondary)

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At the secondary level, DaF teaching from primary school is continued. The students have 5 lessons in per week each class in order to expand their written and oral communication skills.

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In addition, the classes are divided into beginner and advanced levels so that newcomers are getting a chance to catch up to the performance of their classmates.

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At the end of the 9th grade usually the DSD I is taken.

 

Introduction to the DSD

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A clearly defined objective of the GESM is that the students of the 9th grade take the DSD I and the students of the 11th grade take the DSD II language diploma.

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In order to prepare students well for the DSD II, the 10th and the 11th grades are already taught using selected exam preparation material.

 

The German Language Diploma 1 and 2

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At the GESM we offer the German language diploma (DSD I). Students who complete the DSD receive receive the authorization to participate in a preparatory study college, as it is often required by German universities.

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The school has introduced the DSD II, the first exams of which were taken in 2019. This language certificate paves the way to all universities in Germany and German-speaking countries.

 

Extracurricular support

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In addition, there is a close cooperation with the parental home as well as professional counsel by teachers - particularly by the DaF teachers. We strongly recommend additional extracurricular measures such as:

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- Student exchange with Germany

· Use of the school library (German books, German DVDs, etc).

· Use of German institutions (summer language school, etc.)

· Materials for domestic fostering

· Private German lessons

· Language stay for children in German-speaking countries

· Tutoring by German-speaking students

· Appointing a German-speaking au-pair/nanny

· Contacts with German-speaking children ("play dates")

· Language courses for parents

· Intensive and regular counsel to the parents by the DaF teachers with the aim to plan individually suited support measures, which also correspond to    the financial possibilities.

· Holidays in German-speaking countries

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