What do you want to do in German?
Start with a task you want to manage: answer a question without rehearsing it, understand a spoken instruction, or explain an idea accurately in writing. Tell the tutor what you can already do and where you get stuck. These starting points call for different lesson material.
For school support, share the exact qualification, exam board and exam year. The AQA examples below concern qualifications in England; your own course determines the preparation you need.
- Beginners and everyday conversation
- Begin with a short exchange, such as introducing yourself and answering a follow-up question. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes A1 interaction in terms of familiar phrases and help from someone speaking slowly and clearly. In an online lesson, you could hear a model, try the exchange with written prompts, then repeat it with less support. Tell the tutor whether you need English explanations as you begin.
- GCSE German
- AQA GCSE German 8662, first examined in 2026, assesses listening, speaking, reading and writing. Its tasks include dictation, reading aloud, role-play and photo-card discussion with unprepared conversation. A useful practice sequence is to hear a short sentence, write it, compare the spelling with the sounds, then read it back. Bring the teacher’s feedback so the tutor can focus on the particular difficulty.
- A-level German
- AQA A-level German 7662 requires critical analysis of studied texts or films, and presentation and discussion of an individual research project. For film study, choose a shot from your set work, identify how the camera presents a character, then explain how that choice supports your interpretation. Prepare to defend your point aloud. The research and interpretation remain the student’s own work.
- Adults developing discussion skills
- If introductions are already comfortable, choose a more demanding goal, such as explaining a viewpoint and responding to a different opinion. CEFR B2 descriptions include supporting ideas with examples and weighing options. A possible lesson task is to compare two travel plans, give reasons for your preference and answer a challenge. Use the level description to clarify your goal; the tutor can help assess the starting point.
