St Clare's Primary School Harold's Cross Dublin 6W

The pupils of St. Clare's are delighted to be learning German as part of the Modern Languages In Primary Schools Initiative (MLSPI). We joined the MLPSI in 1998 and since then, all students in the 4th, 5th and 6th classes have been learning German. It is a volunartary programme and we have chosen to be part of this exciting project because of the many learning opportunities and benefits it can bring to children, teachers and wider school community. For more information on the MLPSI, see the project's website - www.mlpsi.ie

To keep up to date with all of the pupils' German activities check out our News & Events Blog

Class Work

There are many reasons why the learning of another modern language at primary school is beneficial for children. Research has shown that children who are introduced to other languages from an early age can become more proficient language learners and that learning another language can have positive effects on the learning of other curriculum subjects. Evaluations of the MLPSI have also noted the positive effects it has had on pupils not only linguistically and academically, but also socially in terms of their self-esteem, confidence and in assisting their preparation for second level.

Ms. Redmond our German teacher teaches the pupils basic German phrases as well as about cultural aspects of German life. The children also learn about the wonderful German traditions that children in Germany experience. Pupils also learn some of the geography of Germany.

As part of their German classes the pupils are taught German songs by Ms. Boylan our music teacher. The pupils sing the songs during the German events in the hall and at the Christmas and summer concerts.

Language Events

Throughout the school year there are a number of language events held in the school. The German children start off each school year by passing a Schul Tuten on to the junior pupils starting in school. In St. Clare's we celebrate this tradition annually as well in Septemeber with the fifth class pupils making schul tutens and presenting them to the fourth class who are starting to learn German. This takes place during a school assembly and the whole school enjoys the event.

Chirstmas is a lovely time in Germany and they have some wonderful Christmas markets. To celebrate this the pupil's of St. Clare's setup a Christmas market in the hall and all of the pupils in the school come and taste different foods that are enjoyed in Germany. The pupils really enjoy the sweets since they normally are not allowed them in school!

Pupils really look forward to the visit of the Easter Bunny after giving up sweets for Lent. In prepartion for his arrival the fourth, fifth and sixth class pupils decorate their German Easter tree by creating amzing easter eggs.

During the summer term pupils, teachers and families of St. Clare's not only celebrate the culture of the German people, but also all of the other cultures of the different nationalities that make up our school community. We do this by having an Intercultural Day in the school hall. All parents and grandparents are invited to this event, during which pupils display different aspects of their nationalities culture. All of the pupils, parents and teachers find this an informative and fun day.

Project Work

The pupils undertake a number of different projects throughout the year while learning and developing their German. Pupils use fifth class German maths games that were developed to help others leran their German numbers. As well as making Schul Tuten's and Easter Trees every year the different classes create Powerpoints about different cultural aspects of German life. Other projects have included comparing different foods, the school system in Germany and German footballers.

In 2011 we had the pleasure of Frau Nitschka and Frau Wildenauer, two German University students who were training to become teachers, work with fifth and sixth classes. They studied in the Martin-Luther-Universitat in Leipstig. They joined in helped teach the fifth and sixth classes German, which involved language, culture, songs, games and special projects. At the end of the four weeks the pupils producing a wonderful play about the Musicians of Bremen. The school is still in contact with the two teachers. All of the pupils really enjoyed the experience of having German teachers within the school and they really enjoyed learning the Kinder Rap.

Correspondence Projects

As well as continuing to keep up our link with Frau Nitschka and Frau Wildenauer and this year we have twinned with Quentin Blake Europa Schule in Zehlendorf, Berlin. The fourth class pupils are corresponding initally by sending postcards to the students in Germany. The cards were written in German. Check out some of them by going to the News & Events Blog.

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