Preparing for #ShoutOutForGerman week

Between the 17th and the 21st March 2025, The Goethe Institut and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) along with the German Embassy in London are inviting all schools to celebrate the German Language by holding a German week in your school.

As language teachers, we are responsible for supporting our learners to understand how language learning can enrich lives and to set the scene for future language study. Whether German features as part of your curriculum provision or not, the #ShoutOutfor German week provides an opportunity to sow the seed for future language study and raise awareness of German.

This exciting event is an opportunity to ignite student enthusiasm for learning German while raising awareness of the numerous benefits that come with studying the language. Here are some ideas for how you can prepare to make your German Week an engaging and educational experience for all! Please let us know what you plan to do. Tag us into your social media coverage using the #ShoutOutForGerman and @trent_and__tame.

How Schools Can Prepare for a German Week in March 2025?

All the ideas below are low prep, low cost and hopefully high impact ideas. There’s also a wealth of opportunities available through the Goethe Institut.

1. German Language Challenges

Encourage students to participate in a German-language quiz or vocabulary contest. You could host a daily challenge where students learn a new set of German words or phrases each day and earn points for correct answers. You could offer small prizes for those with the most points at the end of the week. You could even consider offering a German Taster Lesson using the Goethe Institut’s resources. Language Taster Sessions – Culture Days – Goethe-Institut United Kingdom

2. Cultural Activities

German Week is the ideal time to dive into the culture behind the language. You could organise a German film screening with subtitles or a traditional German cooking class where students can learn to make classic dishes like pretzels or sausages. You could even invite local German-speaking chefs or artists for workshops!

3. German Music and Dance

Music is an engaging way to immerse students in the language. You could consider hosting a German music appreciation day, showcasing artists from different genres, from classical to pop. You could also include a fun dance lesson, teaching students a simple folk dance like the “Schuhplattler.” Have a look at the Goethe Institut’s Zoom Workshop Years 5-11: Virtual Music Workshop with MUNICH SUPERCREW during German Week – Goethe-Institut United Kingdom

4. Guest Speakers and Virtual Tours

You could invite a guest speaker, such as a German exchange student or a professional who uses German in their career, to speak about the importance of the language in their field. Virtual tours of German landmarks or museums can also bring the culture to life, especially if you have limited access to international travel. Have a look at the Goethe Institut’s Best Programmes and Partnerships to Learn German in the UK | Goethe-Institut UK

By preparing in advance and involving students in these activities, you’ll create an exciting and informative German Week that inspires them to continue their language learning journey. Let’s make German Week 2025 an unforgettable experience for everyone! Don’t forget to tag us into your social media coverage @trent_and_tame with the #ShoutOutForGerman.