VCE is a critical year for students in Victoria. Proper planning and having access to the best resources will help you achieve VCE success! We want to encourage and assist students with German language studies. Here are our top recommendations for VCE German resources to give you the best chance achieving your potential.

1.  Learn the Rules of the Game - VCE German Website

Albert Einstein said "You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."  To get the rules visit the VCAA German Study page.  During the year you need to focus on the most important things.

Keep referring back to the VCAA german study page on the official website.

 On this site the main resources include:

• • Study Summary (doc - 56kb) (February 2013)
    A summary of the VCE German Study Design for 2005-2016.
  • Assessment Handbook (doc - 275.5kb) (Updated July 2013)
    Contains assessment advice for both school-assessed coursework and the examinations including the examination criteria.
  • Examination Reports
    Find past exams and sample exams for German.

  Support Material

  • Study Advice
    Contains resources to assist in the implementation of Units 1-4 including detailed study samples and assessment advice for Units 1 and 2.

2. Dictionary

German Dictionary.  Use a good German dictionary.  Wouldn't it be great if you could have dictionary that you also ask question in a forum?  We think so. 

There are several outstanding dictionaries available.

Leo is our favourite

This is great dictionary and community to learn more about German. 

Pick a random letter every second day and then learn some of your favourite words.

 3. Learn Vocabulary

Using flashcards is a brilliant way to increase vocabulary retention and memorise verb conjugations.

A great app to create your own flashcard decks or to choose from 100s of pre-loaded options is called Anki 

Another tip is to know the top 100 German words effortlessly. Knowing all these words instinctively will help in speaking and writing skills and provide the critical base needed. Here is a link to the top 100 German words .

4. How about some fun and games?

 Let’s face it, it important to allow for downtime in order to relax and recharge. Ditch the Flappy Birds or Candy Crush games and opt for an equally fun app called Duolingo course. It is free. Students can quickly advance to the appropriate level by testing out at level check points. To sign up an email address, Facebook or a Google account is the only requirement.

Spend half an hour a day for two weeks and you will see real improvement.

Be careful with your other subjects, because this game is addictive.

We love it.

Combining this game with a real live tutor is a great combination for success. 

5. Tap into German Language Radio or TV

Listen to SBS radio and watch SBS TV to hear the latest news and information about Germany. Immersing oneself in the language, by watching German language shows or listening to German language radio stations will help leaps and bounds in your pronunciation, translation, accent and overall understanding of the rhythm of the German language. 

If you are looking for some comedy here is a link to 10 short videos by stand-up comedian, Henning Wehe: BBC German  

6. Listen to a Podcast

There are several fantastic free German language podcasts. By using an iPod, HTC smart phone or an mp3 player you can listen to experienced German native speakers offering German lessons. The Goethe Institute put together this list of podcasts.
Radio language Course “Radio D�? 

Learning German for beginners on two levels: In all episodes the reporters Paula and Philipp experience exciting stories.

Podcast: “Greetings from Germany�? 

Language lessons of another kind: 60 amusing audio stories about Germany for students of German.

Podcast: Deutschbaukasten 

Learning German, made for those who learn on the go: fun materials on German-Polish themes – and all the letters of the alphabet

Popcast – Current Music from Germany 

The latest from German bands – monthly: listen in, subscribe!

Touring with Goethe 

Podcast on Goethe-Institut concerts around the world

Literature Live 

German authors "down under": readings and discussion.

7. Study Partner

Have a study partner to help you stay accountable and together you can practice, practice, practice. Find a study partner at your school or participate in a virtual language exchange.  Practice your conversational skills with native speakers.

And lastly enjoy the journey! It will soon be over!

Feel free to link to this resource and share.  Best of luck for your VCE German.