Finding the right book for you
Over the past 32 years I have been teaching German starting with adults and in the last 17 years I have also been working with KS3, GCSE and A-Level students.
Out of experience I find that it is really useful for students to have their own book to be able to learn a language more effectively. It allows them to revise properly, learn vocabulary more effectively and check on grammar if needed.
Books are set out in a specific order to help learning grammar and vocabulary because each chapter builds up on the previous one.
For that reason I have added this selection for you or your children to use a book alongside your/their German studies.
To choose the right book you need to check which examination board is used in your school as there are different books for different boards.
In a seperate part I will also talk about how to expand your vocabulary and introduce some tools to you.
Course Books and Work Books for KS3 Students Learning German
Having your own book will allow you to write the translations of new words into it and have immediate access to grammar and topics.
KS3 are usually the first 3 years which lead to the 2 GCSE years, followed by two A-Level years.
These first few years are extremely important to start building up vocabulary and grammar to form a sound foundation for the GCSE years.
These books are for children before starting their GCSEs. There are different books, schools can use.
Check with your child’s school which book they are basing their German tuition on.
ECHO seems to cover the 3 years in 2 books.
Whereas STIMMT has a separate book for each year.
CAREFUL! These are sets of 8 books!
As private tutor I buy the books and supply them free to my students. They are a great help.
Check with your childs tutor if they can supply a single book or share with other parents.
Book A is a bit easier than B – Though most students will benefit from version B.
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CAREFUL! These are sets of 8 books!
As private tutor I buy the books and supply them free to my students. They are a great help.
Check with your childs tutor if they can supply a single book or share with other parents.
Book A is a bit easier than B – Though most students will benefit from version B.
Course Books and Work Books for GCSE Students Learning German
Having your own book will allow you to write the translations of new words into it and have immediate access to grammar and topics.
Your GCSE will go over two years and the books will cover both years.
there are various books to cover different exam boards. Please make sure you find out your exam board before purchasing a book.
The transcript and answer book is really handy to have if you are working through the entire book. Not all parts and tests are covered in school.
It works fully alongside the student book.
Careful! These come in SETS OF 8!
As a private tutor I purchase the books and supply my students with a book each included in my lessons.
If you are doing your GCSE I would suggest to use the HIGHER version.
I sometimes use the FOUNDATION version for students in their last year of KS3 to give them a great start into their GCSE manifesting their grammar at the same time.
Vocabulary – der Wortschatz
It is never too early to start learning vocabulary. Working on one’s vocabulary should be a regular task which will pay off in the long run.
While I am working on my own vocabulary sets for KS3 and A-Level because there aren’t andy, here are a couple of sets for GCSE German.
I have allocated an entire section to vocabulary which I am still working on. In the meantime here are a couple of vocabulary card sets and links which will be able to help you on your quest to master German vocabulary as best as possible.
Soon I will have more vocabulary cards available which will be even more effective to nuture an ever expanding pool of vocabulary.
This first set of cards by CGP will test questions and vocabulary along the GCSE topics. It is really suitable for anyone studyding for their GCSE German.
I am in the process of recording a video with these cards to show you what you can expect and how to get the best out of these cards.
Video to be uploaded. 
This set of cards consists of 200 vocabulary cards each consisting of a German word, its translation and a sentence in both German and English. It follows the GCSE topics.
I am in the process of recording a video with these cards to show you what you can expect and how to get the best out of these cards.
Video to be uploaded here
Two very different books on vocabulary.
The CGP book presents the vocabulary in list format which is great for anyone who leans well with lists. The vocabulary is grouped according to the GCSE topics.
The IGCE vocabulary book implements exercises to strengthen the GCSE vocabulary which is a great addition to any vocabulary learning.
And that’s not all
Below are more ideas that can help you to improve your German and to become a confident German speaker.
