Workshop: German in Primary Schools
The inaugural meeting of the Oxford German Primary Forum took place on 10th June 2014 at Jesus College, Oxford.
In the context of the introduction of statutory language provision in primary schools in England from September 2014, the Oxford German Network staged this event in the form of a free twilight workshop, together with the Goethe- Institut London. This brought together teachers from primary schools, modern languages teachers from secondary schools, and representatives from the University of Oxford, who enjoyed the opportunity to discuss ideas on how German might be established and supported at primary school level.
Teachers responded enthusiastically to Roma Schultz’s lively presentation of the Goethe-Institut’s exciting new primary German materials, Deutsch mit Felix und Franzi. With plenty of audience participation, Roma demonstrated how to teach German in a fun and engaging way, using hand puppets of the two main characters, Felix Frosch and Franzi Ente. Felix and Franzi live in a yellow Briefkasten that they can be coaxed out of by the catchy theme tune – sung by the audience, in German, of course! The materials and presentation were received very positively by teachers, who were also interested to note that this is only the first year of key stage 2 materials, with three more years’ worth of new resources for older learners to follow, including new intriguing characters – watch out for a tiger and possibly even a kafkaesque cockroach coming soon!
The materials can be downloaded for free from the Goethe Institut website here.
You can also find Felix and Franzi on YouTube.
Roma agreed to make her participation in the Oxford German Forum an annual event, and we are therefore looking forward to the next instalment. She can also be booked to come to your school for an active demonstration of the materials (for details see below).
Roma’s presentation was followed by a round table discussion, chaired by Katrin Kohl, Oxford German Network Director and University of Oxford Germanist. The panel members were Vanessa Pilgerstorfer, former primary and secondary teacher of German and then primary headteacher; Alan Costar, Bexley Grammar School; and David Cresswell, Head of German at Radley College, and OGN representative. Panellists and audience agreed on the high quality and engaging nature of the Goethe Primary materials. Alan started off the discussion by highlighting the key priority of transition from primary to secondary level: to create and then maintain interest in the subject. Vanessa picked up on the issue of timetabling, and how much curriculum time heads would be willing to allow for key stage 2 languages: there is likely to be considerable variation from school to school, with most schools probably offering only one lesson per week. David saw overcoming the perceived difficulty of German as a priority. He shared the results of a survey he had conducted amongst the boys at his school regarding reasons for choosing German or opting ‘against’ it (i.e. choosing Spanish). Teachers were interested to learn that Radley boys named modern German culture – particularly music but also literature –, sport and career opportunities as reasons for choosing German, whereas reasons against were, predictably, the holiday connection with Spanish, but also the perceived unappealing sound of the German language, which some learners likened to Klingon!
The discussion then opened out to all those present, ranging widely. Topics included the question of how to promote German at parents’ evenings, as parents were seen as influential in learners’ choices. It is worth noting that the Goethe-Institut produces promotional materials, including short films suitable for primary and secondary option events, as well as an information leaflet, class sets of which can be ordered free of charge here.
The business opportunities open to German speakers were seen as a major factor in favour of the German language, supported by the fact that universities view foreign language skills as valuable, and that the English Baccalaureate has established them as a facilitating subject. Some teachers expressed the view that universities might do even more to support languages, and the political implications of this were discussed.
At this lively first meeting of the Oxford German Primary Forum, teachers appreciated the opportunity to meet local colleagues, refresh old connections and make new ones, all in the context of supporting German at primary level in the Oxfordshire area. The OGN will make this an annual event, and next year’s date will be announced in the autumn.
To join the Oxford German Primary Forum and receive our occasional Newsletter, please email ogn@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk.
If you would like to contact Roma to arrange a demonstration of the primary course materials, please email: roma.schultz@london.goethe.org.
Felix und Franzi hand puppets are available for £5 each via Roma at the Goethe-Institut (send a cheque payable to the Goethe-Institut London, or contact Roma to send you an invoice).
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