German
Why Study German?
The German curriculum aims to nurture confident, culturally aware and linguistically skilled students, supporting both academic success and personal growth.
All pupils begin with a taster term in German, gaining equal access to core vocabulary, phonics, and simple grammar. This early exposure sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and introduces the cultural richness of German-speaking countries. Those who continue to learn German study a carefully sequenced curriculum leading to the AQA GCSE. Thematic units progressively develop linguistic competence and cultural understanding, while grammar and vocabulary are revisited through a spiral model. By Year 11, students are prepared for the demands of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing at GCSE level.
Lessons emphasise authentic texts, complex grammar, and spontaneous language tasks, encouraging resilience, independence, and reflection. High expectations foster academic rigour and personal responsibility, while inclusive teaching ensures all learners are challenged and supported to achieve their potential.
Cultural awareness remains central throughout. Pupils engage with literature, music, film, and media from German-speaking countries, enriching their learning and deepening their appreciation of the language and its global context
Year 7
German is introduced in Year 7 for one term, as a taster, to help guide students as to which 'second language' they might prefer to take in Year 8, and possibly as their language at GCSE. Learning is based on a variety of resources and topics covered in this one-term taster include facts about Germany and other German-speaking countries, greetings, numbers, age, months and birthdays, alphabet, countries and languages, as well as family members, pets, colours and descriptions. Basic grammar is also introduced during this term; this includes gender, word order, the present tense and asking and answering questions. Students are encouraged to work independently, as well as in pairs and small groups.
Year 8
Year 8 German lessons consolidate and build on the basic vocabulary and skills learned in Year 7. Pupils continue to develop skills in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing and are also introduced to Dictation and Translation. Topics covered include School, Sport and Hobbies, Food and Drink, Places in Town and Clothes. Culture and knowledge of German-speaking countries are interwoven throughout. Students are assessed in each skill at regular intervals. Grammar concepts include giving justified opinions, word order, modal verbs, imperatives and prepositions.
Years 9 to 11: (GCSE)
At Beaulieu, we follow the AQA GCSE German specification. Students will take either the GCSE Foundation Tier (possible grades 1 - 5) or the Higher Tier (possible grades 4 - 9). There are three themes, each covering three topics; these are People and Lifestyle, Popular Culture and Communication and The World Around Us. Grammar concepts are interwoven throughout and the course is supported by a range of authentic and examination-specific resources. This includes the 'Kerboodle' online platform, which has useful resources to support all four skills and also includes a full digital version of both the Foundation and Higher textbook: AQA German GCSE.
At the end of each topic, students are given unit assessments in different skills to help consolidate learning and monitor progress. Students must take all four tests of speaking, listening, reading and writing at the same tier in the four terminal examinations at the end of Year 11. Each skill comprises 25% of the final grade.
Beaulieu is the only school in Jersey to offer GCSE German.