Classes

In our Nursery class we teach children from 3.5 years to 4 years old. Our aim is that the children gain confidence in the German language and also to experience other children outside the family home speaking and understanding German.

The class has a very playful character and the children sing, paint, participate in creative artwork and starting to read too. In this environment the children get to know each other, very often developing long lasting friendships within the school.

The teacher usually themes the lessons around German fairy tales, popular jobs and how the Germans celebrate public holidays such as Easter, Karneval, Christmas or Sankt Martin.

Kathleen in her own words:

My name is Kathleen and I live in Edenbridge with my husband and daughter. I came to England as an Au Pair in 2006 (back then in Penshurst, so close by) and fell in love with the beautiful Kentish countryside!

As a full-time lawyer, I work as a lawyer in London, but of course I prefer to spend my free time in my daughter Grace’s nursery or on the playground. In recent years, I have also completed evening study in psychology and hope on his basis in the next few years to complete a teacher training. I’m really looking forward to teaching at the German Saturday School!

Teachers: Birgit

In the Pre-School class we teach children from the age of 4-5 years old. The classes are slightly more structured towards using the German language, expression and in expanding the use of vocabulary. Since the children already attend the English school system we start to introduce the German alphabet.

The emphasis is on fun and they do a lot of artwork which is usually connected to the theme of the day, for example learning days of the week, months and the different seasons in the year.

Birgit in her own words:

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Teacher: Doris Stannage

In Year 1 we work on our spoken vocabulary, start reading syllables and simple words and begin to write simple sentences. To encourage conversation we play games, do crafts (often with German music playing in the background!) and listen to and talk about stories. The most important thing is that we have fun and make friends!

Doris in her own words:

My name is Doris. I started teaching Year 1 in 2019. My biggest challenge is coming up with new craft ideas every week for that Saturday’s class!

My daughter and I love spending our Saturday mornings with other German speakers at the DSS.

Teacher: Sina

In Year 2 at the German Saturday school we focus on conversation as well as written German. We split our sessions into two lessons: the first hour would cover grammatical structures using Hueber exercise books followed by an hour of doing crafts and playing games that focus on conversation.

Depending on the time of the year, we organize traditional German activities, such as German carnival, Easter egg hunt or our popular lantern parade.

Sina in her own words:

My name is Sina and I have been teaching at the German Saturday School since 2016. Both my children attend the school and love seeing their German friends every Saturday morning.

It’s lovely to see so many children growing up bilingual and it’s a pleasure being part of their learning journey.

I also tutor students for their GCSE’s and German IB exams.

Teacher: Suse

My name is Suse and I have been part of the German Saturday School since 2006 when my now 16 year old daughter Emma join the Kindergarten class. She has in the meantime passed 2 Goethe Institute tests and did her German GCSE with a fantastic result 2 years earlier. My younger daughter is currently in class 4.

I took on teaching at the school in 2010 – the German Saturday School is just a part of our Saturday mornings. I enjoy teaching the children the German language, introducing them to the German cultural and their heritage.

Teachers: Mia and Nina (Eisbärenklasse)

The children in this class are usually in year 3 or 4 in the English school system. The focus is based on
free conversation and to learn more about German grammar.
The children are motivated and encouraged to speak to each other in German and to learn how to
describe themselves, talk about their families, where they live, their hobbies and their general
interests. We are reading together and starting to write short paragraphs but keeping it all fun by
including arts and craft activities and preparing small performances on stage for parents and siblings.

Mia in her own words:

My name is Mia and I have been teaching at the German Saturday School since 2012.
During the week, I am working as a Language Assistant at a secondary school and as a private
German tutor. I enjoy teaching! Reading and fitness are just a few of my hobbies.

Nina in her own words:

I joined the German Saturday School in 2011. I enjoy teaching the German language and introducing
children to the German culture, traditions and customs. I think it is so important to convey the
typical German annual festivities such as Fasching and St Martin’s Day.

Teacher: Dorothea (Giraffenklasse)

Students who attend this class are usually in Year 5 or 6 primary school age. The main focus in the first part of the lesson is on learning German vocabulary as a second language and thus the learning resources are usually authentic to German speaking students.

We have a weekly topic that we explore in different ways, either by video, powerpoint, reading articles from GEO magazine and other language games. Topics with a focus on German traditions and culture may include: German unification day, Austria, Switzerland, Mothers day, International Womens’ Day, Christmas, New Years Eve, Carnival, Easter to name a few.

The second part of the lesson is always active learning and may include baking, experiments, language games, arts and crafts, poster work.

The activities usually fit within the topic of the first lesson.

A bit about me:

I am originally from Brandenburg, where I qualified as a teacher.

I have some experience of teaching German as a foreign language in the UK but my passion is special needs teaching and in particular active learning. I truly love to learn! During the week I love being the Head of Science, nurturing and helping disadvantaged students to learn about the world around them.

Since January 2015 we are offering a German course for adults and over 14s to learn and practice speaking German.

These sessions are conducted as ‘Drop-in’ German Conversation course with a basic understanding of German.

The classes run parallel to the German Saturday School dates for an hour commencing 10.30am – 11.30am.

We are asking for a donation of £5.00 on attending. If you are unable to come you will not need to pay.

If you are interested in taking part, please get in touch via the Contact form.

My name is Kerstin. I moved to England in 1997 and I live with my family in Kent. I studied Business and Management, originally in Germany and then in England. I work in market research as an analyst and translator. Since 2016 I have been coming to the German Saturday School with my two children and we all enjoy it very much here.

In 2017 I took over the conversation course for adults. We learn by discussing a different topic each week, with a few new German words, a little bit of grammar and always something new about Germany and the Germans. I really enjoy teaching the German language and some knowledge of German culture in this way.