German at Stanwell
German is a very popular optional subject introduced in Y8. On average 60% of the year group chooses to learn this new language, which is taught by an enthusiastic team of three well qualified teachers. We are a small, but perfectly formed department!
Mrs Theresa Davis Head of German
Miss Jenny Lemon Teacher of German and French
Mrs Sarah Cameron Teacher of German and French
We are also very fortunate to have a full time native speaker language assistant, who works mainly with Year 12 and Year 13. This year our assistant is Katharina from Stuttgart. She is particularly interested in German film and has set up a film club for Years 12 & 13. In the run up to Christmas she particularly enjoyed teaching pupils at KS3 about Christmas in Germany.
Our success in 2009
We enjoy excellent results, with 95% of pupils at GCSE level achieving A*-C in 2009 (50% A*-A, 68% A*-B) and 100% achieving A-C at A-Level (33% A, 67% A-B). At the end of KS3 87% of pupils achieved Level 5 or above compared with the Welsh average of 64%.
Learning about German culture 
We believe in learning about the culture of German speaking countries as well as the language, and an integral part of this is organising visits to Germany for the pupils to experience German life first hand. Our exchange with Year 8 and Year 9 to the Faust Gymnasium in Staufen in the Black Forest is still thriving after 27 years, and Years 10-12 also visit the Christmas markets of Cologne. This year we sampled the delights of German Christmas closer to home at the Birmingham-Frankfurt Christmas markets.
ICT in German 
ICT plays a large part in learning German in Stanwell. We have regular scheduled access to a multimedia suite, where pupils are able to access German websites and videos, practise their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and produce their own presentations and movies. We have several subscriptions to language learning websites which make lessons in the multimedia suite, and in the classroom with the interactive whiteboards more stimulating. Pupils can also access these websites from home, which can add an element of fun to homework activities.
German celebrations
We celebrate Nikolaustag in school on 6th Dec when the German Father Christmas visits, as well as sampling traditional German treats of Stollen and Lebkuchen at Christmas time. Das deutsche Café is the social hub of the school on Open Day in October, where visitors can enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen made by pupils and staff.
Being European 
We are also keen to promote other European languages and culture. Year 12 pupils attend a "Wales in Europe" event in City Hall in February, where they are able to sample new languages, attend grammar workshops and even learn Salsa dancing! In September for the European Day of Languages we teach taster lessons in other languages such as Spanish and Italian.
Popular culture
Recognising that popular culture is of great importance to the pupils, we follow developments in German film, music and sport. Mrs Davis' passion for the Bundesliga alongside her "Team of the month" is a definite favourite amongst the pupils. She is an avid organiser of competitions at Championship time where pupils predict which teams and players will come out on top - a great way for the pupils to learn the names of the countries!
We are also very interested in German music. We update out display of the German Top 10 "Hitparade" weekly and often show the pupils the latest videos on YouTube.
We have an extensive film library and Y12 visits Chapter Arts Centre each year for a showing and
workshop of a current German film.
Rewards
We believe in positive discipline and therefore encourage pupils by rewarding them for their efforts and achievement with stampers, certificates, stickers, prizes and letters/ postcards of praise.
Primary Liasion
We also run a primary liaison scheme, where we visit feeder primary schools in order to give Y6 pupils a taste of learning German.
