Any German speakers whose kids are doing GCSE German?

[kidsRTW]

Hi, I am sure I am not alone in this trying to get my bilingual kids through their GCSEs early-ish. In my case the school doesn't offer it so we are doing it at home. If there is anyone around in a similar position who might want to link up or share experiences that would be great.

I know that the German Saturday Schools offer a GCSE German class (it's the most advanced level they offer), but I'm not sure whether they offer the exam there or whether pupils then take the exam at their (or another?) school.

Am very interested myself, so will be watching this thread with interest .

Good idea - just looked them up, they are very much into German culture etc... hmmmmm, let's see...
Still, there doesn't quite seem to be anything in my area so I have put in a query. Have you got any experience with them?

kidsRTW, our children go to the German Saturday School in Richmond. They have been going since they were 3 (they're now 5 and 7) and seem to be enjoying speaking and learning German from someone else than me .

I think there are 5-6 different German Saturday Schools throughout the UK - whereabouts are you?

Not sure about the details of the GCSE classes there, but I do know that a few older children have just done their German GCSE a year or so earlier (than they would have at school, I guess). Not sure where they've done the exam though, but I can find out.

there isn't anything near me (Worcs), I think, I have emailed them through the webiste and no reply. bit frustrating as I guess I will again be stuck home educating which I can do but is yet another thing on top of work etc and then it's always me who's even more of the baddie which is why we didn't continue wiht HE in the 1st place....

Does your DC's school not offer German? Are there any other local schools that do offer German GCSE?

no, they don't - and there are not a lot of centres around that take private candidates.It really is a buerocratic effort which is also a bit of an organisational issue for me from a childcare/ work / transport point of view. Probably feeling a bit worn out and sorry for myself today but it also needs to be managable.

Have you had a look at the Goethe Institut website, maybe they have more information about German taught in UK schools:

www.goethe.de/ins/gb/lp/enindex.htm

Great idea, hadn't thought of that, do you have any experience with it or know anyone who has used it?

No, I haven't got much experience with the Goethe Institut, other than going to it's annual German children's theatre performance (in London).