Circular

S/IF/33/06 April 2006

TO: Head of Modern Languages / Head of German

FOR CIRCULATION TO: German Teachers

German Steering Group and the promotion of German

In June 2005 CCEA held an open meeting with teachers of German and other interested parties to discuss the position of German within the Northern Ireland curriculum. At this meeting CCEA gave a commitment to explore this issue further. On November 24 th 2005 , therefore, a further meeting was held at CCEA with key stakeholders, including a representative from the German Embassy in London and the current Honorary Consul for Northern Ireland , as well as invited teachers. This meeting had two main aims: to analyse the present position of German in Northern Ireland and to propose a possible ‘way-forward’ based on agreed short, medium and long-term targets. Attendees at this meeting discussed the importance of German as one of a range of key European languages and how an ability to communicate in German can impact positively upon our country’s economic interests.

As a result of that meeting, one of the agreed short-term objectives involved the establishment of a German Steering Group consisting of classroom teachers, representatives from educational bodies, NICILT, FHE institutions, the British Council and business. This group met for the first time on 25th January 2006 and immediately set its overarching objectives:

    • promoting German;
    • developing German within the Primary Languages initiative;
    • enhancing links with stakeholder institutions;
    • creating a community of German teachers;
    • exploiting media opportunities;
    • exploring links with business.

The group has already attained success in a number of its objectives, and I would like to relate to you these achievements as well as tell you about exciting initiatives ahead.

  • Objective 1: the promotion of German

CCEA continues to enhance and develop strong links with institutions relevant to the objectives outlined above, including the Goethe Institut, the German Embassy and CILT. CCEA secured funding from the Goethe Institut to allow Wolfgang Winkler (Goethe Institut Manchester) to come to Belfast and lead a GCSE German film day. This day was organised in conjunction with NICILT and took place on the 2 nd March. The football film “Das Wunder von Bern” was screened and was followed by a workshop tailored to the level of GCSE pupils. This film now forms part of the CCEA German AS specification. The response from schools wishing to attend this event was so overwhelming that it had to be held on a second day. Approximately 350 pupils studying GCSE German attended over the two days.

  • Objective 2: developing German within the Primary Languages Initiative

CCEA is pleased to be sponsoring a German themed day for approximately 100 P5-7 pupils on the 11 th May. Four workshops have been arranged based on the upcoming World Cup. The day will allow pupils to experience German language, culture and develop IT skills through activities on the acclaimed German embassy youth website www.the-voyage.com. Three key workshop facilitators from CILT and The Voyage will be travelling to Northern Ireland to lead the sessions on this day. CCEA will also be launching a German competition for primary pupils on this day in the run-up to the World Cup. Details of this competition for P5-P7 pupils can be found from the 11 th May through the CCEA website.

  • Objective 3: enhancing links with stakeholder institutions

The German Steering Group has met with Karl Pfeiffer (marketing director for the Goethe Institut London), Matthias Klause (Cultural Attaché German Embassy) and aims to meet with Ute Pätzig of ‘The Voyage’ in the next few months. Strong links with key stakeholders continue to be developed.

The German Steering Group is now thinking about and planning promotional opportunities for the year ahead in order to capitalise and build upon this effective start. If you wish to know more about this group, please contact James Maxwell at CCEA (details below). The group forms one of a range of current strategies to promote languages and the international dimension within the curriculum.

James Maxwell

Assistant Principal Officer

CCEA

Curriculum, Assessment and Pupil Profile

Modern Languages

 

If you have any queries about the content of this circular please contact

James Maxwell at CCEA on direct line (028) 90261200 ext 2659

E- mail: jmaxwell@ccea.org.uk