Learning a second language can be fun and rewarding; it also demands time and energy on your part. Much like learning how to play an instrument or a sport, learning how to speak and understand a language requires patience, practice, attention to detail, and mastery of new skills.
Since German is a performance class, you should expect to be evaluated frequently, 2-3 times per week. Evaluations come in a variety of forms: homework, notebook quizzes, oral participation, journal entries or short compositions, quizzes, projects, pair & group work, and tests.
Because the process of learning a foreign language involves many different processes, you will be evaluated in several different ways.
DAILY PREPARATION & PARTICIPATION
This part of your grade depends both on how well you prepare for class and how well you use your time in class. Practicing your German during class is extremely important! You cannot expect to learn German if you don't practice (a lot!) out loud. Don't worry about making mistakes when you speak! I would much rather have you participate actively and make some mistakes than to just sit in your seat, speaking only when I call on you! With a desire to improve and enough practice, your errors will begin to disappear....
All German students are required to keep an organized German notebook, and bring it to class with them daily. This notebook is an important key to being an efficient and organized learner.
LEARNING VOCABULARY
You can't learn to speak German unless you learn German words! After you have studied German for a while, you will discover that it is a very logical language. So logical in fact, that students have been known to be able to pass some tests without knowing what the words mean in the sentences that they have written! Obviously, this is something that each of you will want to avoid!
In each chapter, you will have a list of new words and expressions that you will be responsible for learning! You must be able to translate them from German to English and from English back into German. You must also be able to spell them correctly. Work on your vocabulary list a little bit each day. Don't procrastinate about learning vocabulary, otherwise the regular vocabulary quizzes will become one of your biggest headaches! It's amazing how much 15 minutes a day will help. Vocabulary practice is one of the things I always tell parents about at conferences--even if the student doesn't have written homework, he/she should do a little vocabulary study daily!
TESTS & QUIZZES
Each chapter in your textbook is divided into several sections, and upon completion of each section, there will be a short quiz. (These quizzes normally take about 10-15 minutes to complete and count 15-30 points.) After your class completes a chapter, there will also be a chapter test. These tests are longer; usually they take the entire class period and are worth 50-100 points. During a chapter test, you will be evaluated on listening, reading and writing skills.
GRADING SCALE
Everything graded is assigned a certain number of points. At the end of the quarter, points are totaled. Grades are assigned according to the percentage point average earned by a student.
| 1+ 98-100 | 2+ 88-89 | 3+ 78-79 | 4+ 68-69 | 5 59& below |
| 1 92-97 | 2 82-87 | 3 72-77 | 4 62-67 | |
| 1- 90-91 | 2- 80-81 | 3- 70-71 | 4- 60-61 |
WHAT ABOUT EXTRA CREDIT?
Students are evaluated frequently in a language class, and in a variety of ways. All students will be able to earn enough points to do well, providing they keep three things in mind:
- Students should have a commitment to learning to speak German.
- Students should complete all regularly assigned work.
- Students should demonstrate a strong work ethic and good study skills.
Extra credit is available on some tests. Students are also able to receive extra credit Euros for attendance and preparation. These are awarded weekly and are redeemed at the end of the quarter.
Students also have the option of doing one extra CPR project each quarter.
Last updated 6/24/2006
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