Translations about school
School years in German are named differently to those in England and Wales. When you start school at the age of six, you are in Klasse 1 because it is your first year of compulsory schooling. Klasse 9 is like the English Year 10 and Klasse 12 would be the equivalent of Year 13.
How well can you understand a text about school life in the German-speaking countries?
Choose from the short passage or the longer text below and translate it into English. Then check your answers.
Short text
Question
Ich bin in der Klasse 9 auf der Realschule. Die Schule gefällt mir ganz gut, aber ich hasse Geschichte, weil der Lehrer das Fach nicht gut erklären kann. Mein Lieblingsfach ist Deutsch – ich bekomme immer gute Noten. Aber der Schultag beginnt zu früh. Ich hätte lieber einen späteren Start zum Tag.
I am in class 9 at secondary school. I quite like school, but I hate History, because the teacher can't explain the subject well. My favourite subject is German – I always get good marks. But the school day starts too early. I would like a later start to the day.
Longer text
Question
Ich besuche das Gymnasium und ich bin in der Klasse 11. Es gibt viel Druck und es kann stressig sein. Ich bekomme meistens gute Noten, aber in Physik verstehe ich manchmal kein Wort. Ich sollte fleißger in Physik arbeiten, aber ich möchte meinen Physiklehrer wechseln – er ist total langweilig. Ich möchte auch Religion abwählen - als Fach ist es sinnlos.Ich liebe Französisch und ich hätte gern mehr Französischstunden.Ich würde auch mehr Sportstunden einführen,weil sie fit machen.
I go to the grammar school and I am in class 11. There is a lot of pressure and it can be stressful. I mostly get good marks, but sometimes I don't understand a word in Physics. I should work harder in Physics, but I would like to change my Physics teacher – he is completely boring. I would also like to drop Religion – it is pointless as a school subject. I love French and I would like more French lessons. I would also like more PE lessons because they keep you fit.
Did you know?
There are three different types of secondary school in Germany.
The Gymnasium can be compared to a UK grammar school and is attended by pupils who wish to pursue an academic career in the future, for example teachers, lawyers, doctors, businesspeople and more.
If from the age you begin secondary school you know that you do not want to go into an academic career field in the future, then you can go to the Hauptschule, which is a vocational school. In this type of school you can focus on more practical skills to become a plumber, carpenter, electrician, builder and other vocational paths.
The Realschule is a school where you can study both academic and vocational subjects.
