From ‘Autsch’ to Amazing: Year 7’s German Project

At our IB school, fostering creativity and independence in students is a top priority. Recently, our Year 7 students took part in a German lesson that proved just how fun and engaging language learning can be. As part of a unit about illnesses, they learned how to express symptoms, provide care, and offer advice to a patient. The scenarios could take place at home or in a doctor’s office, giving students the freedom to shape the task in their own way.

To support them, I provided useful phrases and examples to help them construct their dialogues in German. From there, the students took charge, crafting their own conversations and bringing them to life through video recordings. It was amazing to witness their creativity, humor, and acting skills on full display.

But it didn’t stop there—this project also gave students the chance to develop their technical abilities through video editing, adding another layer of engagement to the activity. The combination of linguistic, creative, and technical skills made this a truly enriching experience.

One of the best parts of teaching Year 7 in the IB program is seeing how students thrive when given the freedom to explore their ideas, with the teacher acting as a guide rather than a director. When we trust them and provide the right support, they consistently deliver extraordinary results.

This project reminded us all that learning German—or any language—can be not only educational but also incredibly fun and inspiring.

Ms.Michaela