Introducing German to primary school children

Abstract

Many people seem to be shocked and are indeed sceptical when we mention our dissertation title and ask us how we came up with the idea. During our second year at university, we signed in for the optional unit Eurolangues introducing foreign languages to primary school children with Dr. Charles Mifsud. We learned what was happening in other countries, became interested in the subject and decided to do further research. In Chapter 1, we give psychological reasons to show the advantages of early exposure to a foreign language. Chapter 2 tackles the different approach that is needed when teaching German as a foreign language in the Primary as opposed to teaching it in the Secondary School. Chapter 3 proves that it is possible to teach German in the Primary School by giving the experience of other European countries, as well as our own experience in a Maltese classroom. Chapter 4 deals with the methodological aspects of foreign language learning in the primary, whilst Chapter 5 gives a review of some of the books that are available to teach German in the Primary School. Our research showed that many children in Year 6 think that German is a difficult and boring language, because they have had no exposure to the language. The results of these findings are to be found in the appendix. Finally we are presenting a resource pack to teach German as a foreign language in the Primary School.