Vocabulary Activity

About This Activity

Language

German

Level

Elementary 2

(2nd semester college level)

Previous Knowledge Needed

Food vocabulary, conjugation & meaning of the verb gehen

Time Needed

Three 50-minute classes

Class 1: 35 minutes

Class 2: 50 minutes

Class 3: 50 minutes

Goal

For students to learn and retain new vocabulary terms with the correct gender and plural, practice them in groups through repetition and games, use them in context with simulated and real-life situations, learn cultural information, and be able to follow directions through a campus scavenger hunt.

Materials Needed

  • Projector
  • Internet
  • Personal sized whiteboards
  • Markers
  • Erasers
  • Small word cards
  • Handouts 1-6
  • Good weather for outside activites

Vocabulary Words

Deutsch English
das Rathaus, -¨er city hall
die Bäckerei, -en bakery
die Konditorei, -en pastry shop
die Metzgerei, -en butcher
die Apotheke, -n pharmacy
die Drogerie, -en drug store
der Supermarkt, -¨e supermarket
der Bahnhof, ¨e train station
links left
rechts right
geradeaus straight ahead

Class One

Teil Eins – Section One

Time needed: 15 minutes

Materials needed: Handout 1

Handout 1
Students will receive Handout 1 and will view pictures of words on the projector screen. They will learn correct pronunciation and plural forms of the words as they fill out the handout with the English translation. They will then take an additional 5-7 minutes (depending on how long the first part of the lesson takes) to study over the words with a partner.

This activity begins entirely with input, combining listening skills with visual aids to ensure students know which word they’re dealing with at any given time. Students then produce each word on the teachers cue to learn pronunciation, and then work together to learn words and practice pronunciation.

Teil Zwei – Section Two

Time needed: 20 minutes

Materials needed: whiteboards; markers; word cards

Students will work in groups of 3-4 with small whiteboards, markers, erasers, and small word cards (one vocabulary word per card – prepared by instructor) and play Pictionary with the vocabulary words. Those who are guessing the word must give the article, word, and plural form correctly to get it right.

While this activity is still decontextualized, they’re producing the words in a controlled environment. This activity allows the students to check their knowledge of gender and plural forms in a fun way.

Hausaufgabe – Homework

Study the vocabulary words for Wednesday.

Students can practice the words at home, and prepare themselves for the activities throughout the rest of the week.

Class Two

Teil Eins – Section One

Time needed: 15 minutes

Materials needed: Handout 2

Handout 2
Students receive a map with a start and an end point, and must use the directional vocabulary to find the end of the maze. They may work with a partner if they choose.

This is the first contextualized activity of the lesson, but is controlled in the fact that students are only using vocabulary on the list and the map that is provided. They are producing as they write down their list of directions. They are free to choose their own way, since there are multiple ways to get from the start to the end. The map is a simulated situation, and participation in this activity will help them prepare for the inclass activity on Friday.

Teil Zwei – Section Two

Time needed: 10 minutes

Materials needed: Videos 1-2; Handout 3

Handout 3
Students will watch two videos from Deutsch im Blick and answer questions on Handout 3. Each video will be played twice. Go over the answers when finished.
Video 1
Video 2
This is more contextualized, and includes listening skills to hear for answers to the questions. Input then becomes output as they write down their answers. The videos will also be referenced in the following culture section.

Teil Drei – Section Three

Time needed: 25 minutes

Students will learn different aspects of culture regarding the vocabulary: how a German town runs day-to-day (government, markets, etc.), the difference between a Drogerie and an Apotheke, the difference between a Bäckerei and a Konditerei, different German supermarkets, the train system, etc. Photos can be pulled up on the projector from the internet when needed.

The aim of this section of the lesson is to use the vocabulary the students have learned to teach specifics about German culture that they would definitely encounter if they went abroad. This section will mainly be input, as they are simply receiving information, however their knowledge of the words and their participation in the previous activities will help them with understanding the cultural aspects surrounding the words.

Hausaufgabe – Homework

Handout 4
This assignment allows students to work on their production of the words in a controlled way, but still allowing freedom to choose their own words. There are many possibilities for answers for each space.

Class Three

Time needed: 50 minutes

Materials needed: Handout 5

Handout 5
Students form groups of 3-4, and are given a Scavenger Hunt (Handout 5). Discuss the directions together. They have 35-40 minutes to complete the scavenger hunt (depending on how long it takes to get into groups and explain the directions). Students must be back in class 5 minutes before the end of the period.

This is the most contextualized activity in the lesson. Students are using the words in a real-life situation. The way to succeed is to know the words and follow directions in order to get back to class with the correct answers. Students can check their knowledge of the words while doing the activity, and must work together throughout to complete the task.

Hausaufgabe – Homework

Handout 6
This assignment serves as a wrap-up and review of the words in a personalized way. They are producing the words within the context of their own lives, and using them alongside everything else they’ve learned so far in German.

My Thoughts

I feel that this lesson has many advantages to the students. First, the vocabulary words that are learned are incredibly common and important to know, especially for those who plan on going abroad. They are things that are part of everyday life, and when students are abroad and navigating a new city, they will need these words to get around. From the beginning to the end of the lesson, they are producing in varied amounts while learning the words in many different ways – through listening, speaking, games, activities, assignments, and hands-on situations. Students can make their use of the vocabulary personal through the homework assignments, where they are able to make each answer their own. They can grow confidence in the vocabulary and use them throughout the day, week, month and year, providing more practice in using their German skills more often and more conversationally.