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German phonics collection

long and short [ä]

�Artwork: Steve Clarke

Date updated: 10 / 02 / 21

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long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Introduction

Y7 T1.2 Week 7 Slides 38-52

3 of 52

ä�

[ɛ:]

spät

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [ä] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”spät” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to bring your left arm up to mime suddenly looking at your watch.

4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [ä] sound, pronouncing ”spät’” and, if using, doing the gesture.��Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �spät [171]

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

4 of 52

ä�

[ɛ:]

spät

5 of 52

ä�

[ɛ:]

spät

6 of 52

ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

Berlin 1KM

1, 2, 3, …100

[to explain]

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [ä] and then the source word again ‘spät’ (with gesture, if using).
Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �spät [171]; zählen [680] ähnlich [429]; Nähe [795]; erklären [250]; wählen [64].�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

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ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

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ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

9 of 52

lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

[constant(ly)]

[relationship]

ä

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC ‘ä’ and then the source word again (with gesture, if using).�Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.�The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words(e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc..) and additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency rankings (1 is the most common word in German): �lächeln [793]; Verhältnis [517] Mädchen [537]; Hälfte [972]; ständig [612]; ändern [476].�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

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lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

ä

11 of 52

lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

ä

12 of 52

Sag es!

hören und sprechen

der Marktplatz

die Marktplätze

13 of 52

Sag es!

hören und sprechen

der Weihnachtsmarkt

die Weihnachtsmärkte

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Sag es!

hören und sprechen

der Arzt

die Ärzte

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Sag es!

hören und sprechen

der Mann

die Männer

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Sag es!

hören und sprechen

der Garten

die Gärten

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Sag es!

hören und sprechen

die Nacht

die Nächte

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long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [1]

Y7 T2.2 Week 3 Slide 3

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[a] vs [ä]

sagen

ä[short]

lächeln

spät

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

egal

ständig

hängen

unbekannt

Bad

Nähe

zählen / zahlen

Wahlen / wählen

Geschäft / geschafft

schätzen / schatzen

zählen / zahlen

Wahlen / wählen

Geschäft / geschafft

schätzen / schatzen

a[long]

ä[long]

a[short]

kalt

Phonetik

Timing: 3 minutes

Aim: Phonics refresher - a vs ä.

The contrast between a and ä is important for this week’s grammar point (strong verbs). Both sounds have been introduced already, we are simply revisiting them here.

Procedure:

Click on the SSCs and their example words (sagen / kalt / lächeln / spät) to play them and remind the students of the the sounds.
The first 6 words is a transcription (fill in the blank) task. The words are high-frequency, but haven’t yet been taught.
The second four are minimal pairs (some of these are rare).
The task is set up to do 1-6 first and correct those, and then complete 7-10.

Transcript:

egal
ständig
hängen
unbekannt
Bad
Nähe
zählen /zahlen
Wahlen / wählen
Geschäft / geschafft
schätzen / schatzen

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German):

egal [932] ständig [779] hängen [590] unbekannt [1292] Bad [1637] Nähe [918] zählen [704] zahlen [832] Wahl [799] wählen [636] Geschäft [765] schaffen (geschafft) [285] schätzen [1294] schatzen [>5009]

Source: Jones, R.L & Tschirner, E. (2019). A frequency dictionary of German: Core vocabulary for learners. London: Routledge.

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long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [2]

Y7 T2.2 Week 5 Slides 3-4

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Phonetik

sagen

a

kalt

a

e

geben

denken

e

i

wir

finden

i

o

wo?

Kopf

u

du

Punkt

u

ü

Tür

fünf

ö

ä

schön

spät

plötzlich

lächeln

ö

ä

ü

o

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Phonetik

sagen

a

e

geben

kalt

denken

a

e

i

wir

finden

i

o

wo?

o

Kopf

u

du

Punkt

u

ü

ö

ä

Tür

fünf

schön

plötzlich

spät

lächeln

ü

ö

ä

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long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [3]

Y7 T3.2 Week 6 Slide 20

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Wie heißt die Band?

Alastair telefoniert mit Mia. Sie reden über deutsche Bands. Wie heißen sie?

	die P r i n z e n
	J u l i
	F e t t e s B r o t
	die F a n t a s t i s c h e n V i e r
	S ö h n e M a n n h e i m s
	S p o r t f r e u n d e S t i l l e r
	R o s e n s t o l z
	die Ä r t z e

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

_

Phonetik

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long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [4]

Y8 T1.2 Week 5 Slides 2-15; 39

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ä�

[ɛ:]

spät

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [ä] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”spät” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to bring your left arm up to mime suddenly looking at your watch.

4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [ä] sound, pronouncing ”spät’” and, if using, doing the gesture.��Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �spät [171]

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

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ä�

[ɛ:]

spät

28 of 52

ä�

[ɛ:]

spät

29 of 52

ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

Berlin 1KM

1, 2, 3, …100

[to explain]

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [ä] and then the source word again ‘spät’ (with gesture, if using).
Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �spät [171]; zählen [680] ähnlich [429]; Nähe [795]; erklären [250]; wählen [64].�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

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ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

31 of 52

ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

32 of 52

ä�

[ɛ]

lächeln

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [ä] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”lächeln” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to trace a broad smile on your own face, drawing your index fingers away from the middle of your mouth to the outer edges.

4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [ä] sound, pronouncing “lächeln” and, if using, doing the gesture.��Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �lächeln [793]

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

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ä�

[ɛ]

lächeln

34 of 52

ä�

[ɛ]

lächeln

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ä

lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

[constant(ly)]

[relationship]

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [ä] and then the source word again ‘lächeln’ (with gesture, if using).
Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �lächeln [793]; Verhältnis [517] Mädchen [537]; Hälfte [972]; ständig [612]; ändern [476].

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

36 of 52

ä

lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

37 of 52

ä

lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

38 of 52

Miezes Traum

Mieze schläft… und träumt…

Sie _______ ins Wasser. Sie _________ einen großen Fisch. Sie ________ ihn in ihrem Mund fest. Sie ________ ihn nicht los. Sie ________ ihn nach Hause.�Mia ist glücklich. Sie hat Hunger. Sie _______ den Fisch und ________ ihn. Mieze und Mia essen zusammen den Fisch. Er ist lecker!

halten (to hold)	fallen	tragen	waschen

lassen	braten (to fry)	fangen (to catch)

hören / schreiben

ohne Pausen

Miezes Traum

fällt

fängt

hält

lässt

trägt

wäscht

brät

Timing: 5 mins��Aim: To practise (through scaffolded transcription) the SSC [ä] in sentences.��Procedure:�1. Ensure students understand Traum and the context (a cat’s dream!) for this narrative.

2. Students write 1-7. They listen to the dream story and transcribe the verbs they hear. The infinitives are provided – jumbled – in a table at the bottom.

3. The audio is provided as a whole piece, (no beeps as it is a transcription task) with some pauses built in. Students may need to listen 2-4 times. There is an ‘ohne Pausen’ version, too.

4. Answers are animated to appear on clicks.

5. Elicit an oral translate of the story from students.

Transcript:�Mieze schläft und träumt. Sie fällt ins Wasser. Sie fängt einen großen Fisch. Sie hält ihn in ihrem Mund fest. Sie lässt ihn nicht los. Sie trägt ihn nach Hause.�Mia ist glücklich. Sie hat Hunger. Sie wäscht den Fisch und brät ihn. Mieze und Mia essen zusammen den Fisch. Er ist lecker!

��Previously taught word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �fallen [278] halten [144] lassen [82] tragen [271]��Unfamiliar word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �fangen [2044] waschen [2315] braten [>5009] fest [567] los [658]�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

�

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Phonetik

lesen / sprechen

Sag die Wörter.

	Singular	Plural
1	Wald (m)	Wälder
2	Kraft	Kräfte
3	Apfel	Äpfel
4	Angst	Ängste
5	Markt (m)	Märkte
6	Gast (m)	Gäste
7	Nacht (f)	Nächte
8	Fach (nt)	Fächer

_________

[power]

[powers]

[fear]

[fears]

[guest]

[guests]

[night]

[nights]

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Timing: 5 minutes��Aim: To practise in productive oral modality the SSC [a] and [ä], with unfamiliar [1-4] and familiar [5-8] plurals.��Procedure:�1. In pairs. One person pronounces the one of the pair of words that is on the slide. The other person pronounces the unwritten one of the pair.

2. When finished, reveal the missed text and click on the audio to hear both singular and plural forms.

Transcript:

1. Wald – Wälder

2. Kraft - Kräfter

3. Apfel – Äpfel

4. Angst - Ängst

5. Markt - Märkte

6. Gast – Gäste

7. Nacht – Nächte

8. Fach - Fächer

��Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �Wald [1028], Kraft [458], Apfel [3490], Angst [392], Markt [476], Gast [576], Nacht [325], Fach [1731]�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

�

��

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Phonetik [2/2]

hören / schreiben

Schreib die Wörter. Alle Wörter enthalten den [ä].

Hälfte

Präsident

erzählen

Aktivität

hängen

Realität

Bär

kämpfen

Atmosphäre

Hände

vollständig

Universität

Sag jetzt die Wörter.

[complete]

1/2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

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long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [5]

Y8 T2.1 Week 3 Slide 3

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Phonetik

lesen / sprechen

Sag die Zungenbrecher.

5

Sekunden

0

LOS!

2.

Eight similar men do eight similar subjects.

[a]

[ä]

acht

ähnliche

Männer

Fächer

machen

Acht ähnliche Männer machen acht ähnliche Fächer.

langsamer

43 of 52

long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [6]

Y8 T2.2 Week 4 Slide 2

44 of 52

Phonetik

lesen / sprechen

Sag die Wörter. Wie viele enthalten die SSC?

[e]

[ch]

[s]

[o]

[a]

[ä]

		?
	[e]
	[ch]
	[s]

eng – Bett – Weg

reich – jedoch – einfach

unser – langsam – alles

		?
	[o]
	[a]
	[ä]

ohne – Telefon – Rock

alt – arm – normal

hängen – Aktivität – schnell

denken

ich

sollen

Wo?

kalt

lächeln

2

1

2

1

2

Timing: 3 minutes��Aim: A read aloud activity to revise 12 SSC (six explicitly, and six by contrast) using a range of new, revisited and unfamiliar vocabulary.��Procedure:�1. Click on each individual SSC to hear it.

2. Elicit the source word from students, if remembered. Note that 4/6 these words have since been taught as key vocabulary (with sollen and lächeln to follow on the SOW)

3. Bring up the source words to check, and for reference for the read aloud activity.

4. Students pronounce the sets of three words, individually or in pairs, and decide how many contain the target SSC.

5. Optional – Click on the words to hear the sets of words pronounced.�6. Reveal the answers.�7. Optional – elicit the English meanings of the vocabulary.

Transcript:

eng – Bett – Weg

reich – jedoch – einfach

unser – langsam – alles

ohne – Telefon – Rock

alt – arm – normal

hängen – Aktivität – schnell

Word frequency of unknown words (1 is the most frequent word in German): �hängen [580] Weg [220]�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2019). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

�

45 of 52

long and short [ä]

Phonetik

Consolidation [7]

Y8 T2.2 Week 5 Slides 3-5; 23-26

46 of 52

ä

lächeln

Hälfte

ständig

ändern

Verhältnis

Mädchen

[constant(ly)]

[relationship]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [ä] and then the source word again ‘lächeln’ (with gesture, if using).
Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �lächeln [793]; Verhältnis [517] Mädchen [537]; Hälfte [972]; ständig [612]; ändern [476].

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

47 of 52

kurzes [e] oder [ä]?

hören / schreiben

Short [e] and [ä] sound the same in German.

As you know, some nouns with [a] form their plural by adding –e and an umlaut.

Hör dir die Pluralformen an. Ist das [e] oder [ä]? �Schreib die Plural- und Singularformen.

1

2

3

5

6

8

Hand

Betten

Enden

Städte

Fälle

Anwälte

Modell

Elemente

Hände

Bett

Modelle

Stadt

Ende

Fall

9

Anwalt

Element

Konzepte

Konzept

4

7

[case]

48 of 52

Phonetik – kurzes [ä]

lesen / sprechen

Sag die Wörter.

20

Sekunden

0

LOS!

Fächer – Fach

Wälder – Wald

Großstädte – Großstadt

Nächte – Nacht

Strände – Strand

Stände – Stand

Männer – Mann

Länder – Land

49 of 52

ä

spät

Nähe

wählen

ähnlich

zählen

erklären

Berlin 1KM

1, 2, 3, …100

[to explain]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [ä]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [ä] and then the source word again ‘spät’ (with gesture, if using).
Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �spät [171]; zählen [680] ähnlich [429]; Nähe [795]; erklären [250]; wählen [64].�Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2006). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

50 of 52

long [e] oder [ä]?

hören / schreiben

Long [e] and [ä] sound a bit different.

However, some German speakers pronounce the long [e] and [ä] in the same way.

To practise, our speaker always pronounces [ä] differently from [e] in the next activity.

As you know, short [e] and [ä] sound the same in German.

51 of 52

Phonetik

Hör zu. Schreib 1- 8 und [e] oder [ä].

[e]	[ä]	Wort auf Deutsch

ähnlich

zählen

Fehler

Fernsehen

Jahrzehnt

hören

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

jährlich

dreht

ehrlich

(similar)

(to count)

(mistake)

(tv)

(decade)

(annually)

(turns)

(honest)

Timing: 4 minutes��Aim: To practise SSC long [e] and [ä] with mostly unknown vocabulary, compelling students to apply their phonics knowledge. Much of this vocabulary will appear later in Year 8.��Procedure:�1. Click to hear the words. Note: the first word is known. The idea is that this will help students to ‘anchor’ the [ä] sound securely before listening to the other words.

2. Students write [e] or [ä] and try to transcribe the whole word, if able.�3. Click to reveal answer and word spelling.��Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in German): �Fehler [861] zählen [704] jährlich [1707] Fernsehen [1444] Jahrzehnt [1123] ähnlich [437] drehen [788] ehrlich [1588]

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2019). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

Transcript:�1. Fehler�2. zählen�3. jährlich�4. Fernsehen�5. Jahrzehnt�6. ähnlich�7. dreht�8. ehrlich

52 of 52

Phonetik

1 – 4: Partner A sagt die Wörter. Partner B schreibt.

1. Aktivität [activity]

2. mehr [more]

3. spät [late]�4. Universität [university]

sprechen / hören / schreiben

Jetzt bist du dran!

5 – 8: Partner B sagt die Wörter. Partner A schreibt.

[e]	[ä]	Wort auf Deutsch

Aktivität

mehr

spät

Universität

geht

wählen

ungefähr

Nähe

5. geht [goes]

6. wählen [to choose]

7. ungefähr [approx.]�8. Nähe [nearby]

Timing: 4 minutes��Aim: To practise SSC long [e] and [ä] with a mixture of familiar and cognate vocabulary, to give students the opportunity to produce the two SSC.

�Procedure:�1. Partner B writes 1-4 and turns away from the board.�2. Partner A reads words 1-4 aloud in German.�3. Partner B writes the words down.�4. Partner B turns back to check his/her answers. Click on the green ticks to hear the words pronounced again.�5. Partner A turns away from the board, and the process is repeated with words 5-8.��Note: Remind students that they are deliberately making a difference between [e] and [ä] here, but that it is also likely that they will hear some German native speakers pronouncing them in the same way.��Word frequency unknown words (1 is the most frequent word in German): �wählen [636] ungefähr ]1458] Nähe [918]

Source: Jones, R.L. & Tschirner, E. (2019). A frequency dictionary of German: core vocabulary for learners. Routledge

Transcript:�1. Aktivität�2. mehr�3. spät�4. Universität�5. geht�6. wählen�7. ungefähr�8. Nähe