1What does an English friend need to know? Pass on the sign in one sentence.
Meaning, not words. Leave out what doesn't matter to the reader.
a)„Heute wegen Krankheit geschlossen. Morgen ab 9 Uhr wieder geöffnet."
b)„Fahrräder abstellen verboten. Widerrechtlich abgestellte Räder werden kostenpflichtig entfernt."
c)„Bitte Schuhe ausziehen."
2Relevant or not? Your host family asks what a German school letter says about a trip. Write yes or no.
Relevant = the reader needs it to act.
a)the date and meeting point
b)the price and what it includes
c)the name of the bus company
d)that the teacher's daughter also attends the school
e)that students need a packed lunch
3Explain the term to a British reader in one sentence.
A … is … — compare with something British if it helps.
a)Ausbildung (duale Ausbildung)
b)Kindergeld
c)Bundesliga
4Mediate the message from your host mother's note for your exchange partner (two sentences).
Who, what, what to do.
a)„Bin bis 19 Uhr bei Oma. Essen steht im Kühlschrank, bitte 3 Minuten in der Mikrowelle. Hund war schon draußen."
1What does an English friend need to know? Pass on the sign in one sentence.
Meaning, not words. Leave out what doesn't matter to the reader.
a)„Heute wegen Krankheit geschlossen. Morgen ab 9 Uhr wieder geöffnet."It's closed today because someone is ill; it opens again tomorrow at nine.
b)„Fahrräder abstellen verboten. Widerrechtlich abgestellte Räder werden kostenpflichtig entfernt."You mustn't park bikes here — they'll be removed and you'll have to pay to get them back.
c)„Bitte Schuhe ausziehen."Please take your shoes off.
2Relevant or not? Your host family asks what a German school letter says about a trip. Write yes or no.
Relevant = the reader needs it to act.
a)the date and meeting pointyes
b)the price and what it includesyes
c)the name of the bus companyno
d)that the teacher's daughter also attends the schoolno
e)that students need a packed lunchyes
3Explain the term to a British reader in one sentence.
A … is … — compare with something British if it helps.
a)Ausbildung (duale Ausbildung)An Ausbildung is a two- to three-year vocational training in which you work in a company and go to a vocational school part-time — like an apprenticeship, but for hundreds of professions and with a national certificate.
b)KindergeldKindergeld is a monthly payment from the state to parents for every child, about 250 euros per child, similar to child benefit.
c)BundesligaThe Bundesliga is Germany's top football league, like the Premier League.
4Mediate the message from your host mother's note for your exchange partner (two sentences).
Who, what, what to do.
a)„Bin bis 19 Uhr bei Oma. Essen steht im Kühlschrank, bitte 3 Minuten in der Mikrowelle. Hund war schon draußen."Your mum is at your grandma's until 7 p.m. There's food in the fridge — heat it in the microwave for three minutes. The dog has already been out.
1Analyse the task before you write.
Reader, purpose, text type, register — the four questions decide what you select and how you phrase it.
a)Task: „Your British exchange partner's parents are planning a trip to Berlin and have found a German article about the city's new cultural forum. Write them an email in which you summarise the main information relevant to visitors (opening hours, admission, what to see, how to get there) and give a recommendation." — Who is the reader? What register? Which information is relevant, which is not?
Text: Das neue Humboldt-Forum-Nachbargebäude „Kulturhaus am Kanal" öffnet ab 1. Mai täglich außer Montag von 10 bis 20 Uhr, donnerstags bis 22 Uhr. Der Eintritt in die Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte der Berliner Arbeiterbewegung ist frei, Sonderausstellungen kosten 12 Euro (ermäßigt 6). Die Baukosten stiegen von geplanten 80 auf 143 Millionen Euro, was im Abgeordnetenhaus zu einer hitzigen Debatte führte. Architekturkritiker loben die Dachterrasse mit Blick auf die Museumsinsel, bemängeln aber die fensterlose Fassade zur Straße. Erreichbar ist das Haus mit der U5 (Museumsinsel) oder den Buslinien 100 und 300. Am ersten Wochenende wird mit langen Wartezeiten gerechnet; eine Online-Reservierung ist kostenlos möglich.
2Read the German text and select. Which of the following would you include? Write yes or no and give a reason for the „no"s.
Relevant = useful for visitors planning a trip. Interesting is not the same as relevant.
a)the cost overrun and the parliamentary debate
b)the roof terrace
c)the criticism of the façade
d)the free online reservation
3Mediate the cultural gap: Explain the two terms for a British reader in a short relative clause or apposition.
Not a dictionary translation — say who it applies to or what it is.
a)„ermäßigt" (as in „ermäßigt 6 Euro")
b)„Museumsinsel"
4Write the email (180 to 220 words).
Semi-formal register (you know them, but they are adults). Own words, no sentence-by-sentence translation.
a)Greeting, reason for writing, the relevant information in a logical order, a recommendation (which day, what to see, why to book), friendly ending.
1Analyse the task before you write.
Reader, purpose, text type, register — the four questions decide what you select and how you phrase it.
a)Task: „Your British exchange partner's parents are planning a trip to Berlin and have found a German article about the city's new cultural forum. Write them an email in which you summarise the main information relevant to visitors (opening hours, admission, what to see, how to get there) and give a recommendation." — Who is the reader? What register? Which information is relevant, which is not?Reader: British adults who don't speak German, planning a visit. Register: friendly but polite (Dear Mr and Mrs …). Relevant: opening times, prices, highlights, transport, booking advice. Not relevant: construction costs, political debate, architectural criticism (unless it affects the visit).
Text: Das neue Humboldt-Forum-Nachbargebäude „Kulturhaus am Kanal" öffnet ab 1. Mai täglich außer Montag von 10 bis 20 Uhr, donnerstags bis 22 Uhr. Der Eintritt in die Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte der Berliner Arbeiterbewegung ist frei, Sonderausstellungen kosten 12 Euro (ermäßigt 6). Die Baukosten stiegen von geplanten 80 auf 143 Millionen Euro, was im Abgeordnetenhaus zu einer hitzigen Debatte führte. Architekturkritiker loben die Dachterrasse mit Blick auf die Museumsinsel, bemängeln aber die fensterlose Fassade zur Straße. Erreichbar ist das Haus mit der U5 (Museumsinsel) oder den Buslinien 100 und 300. Am ersten Wochenende wird mit langen Wartezeiten gerechnet; eine Online-Reservierung ist kostenlos möglich.
2Read the German text and select. Which of the following would you include? Write yes or no and give a reason for the „no"s.
Relevant = useful for visitors planning a trip. Interesting is not the same as relevant.
a)the cost overrun and the parliamentary debateno — not useful for visitors
b)the roof terraceyes — a highlight with a view
c)the criticism of the façadeno — an expert opinion, doesn't affect the visit (at most one word: „the plain façade")
d)the free online reservationyes — directly useful, especially in the first weeks
3Mediate the cultural gap: Explain the two terms for a British reader in a short relative clause or apposition.
Not a dictionary translation — say who it applies to or what it is.
a)„ermäßigt" (as in „ermäßigt 6 Euro")e.g. „… 12 euros, or 6 for students, pensioners and people on benefits (the German „reduced" price)"
b)„Museumsinsel"e.g. „Museum Island, the group of five historic museums in the centre of Berlin"
4Write the email (180 to 220 words).
Semi-formal register (you know them, but they are adults). Own words, no sentence-by-sentence translation.
a)Greeting, reason for writing, the relevant information in a logical order, a recommendation (which day, what to see, why to book), friendly ending.Own text. Check: greeting, purpose, opening hours (closed Mondays, late on Thursdays), free permanent / 12 euros special exhibitions, roof terrace, U5 or buses 100/300, book online for the first weekend, recommendation, ending. 180 to 220 words, no translation of irrelevant parts.
Information: Das Praktikum bei der Firma dauert zwei Wochen, ist unbezahlt, Arbeitszeit 8 bis 15 Uhr, Sicherheitsschuhe werden gestellt, Fahrtkosten erstattet die Schule bis 30 Euro.
1Register and reader: The same German information for two readers. Write both versions (two to three sentences each) and explain the differences.
Register, selection and phrasing change with the reader; the facts do not.
a)Version 1: a text message to your British exchange partner, who will do the placement with you.
b)Version 2: an email to the British company's HR manager confirming the conditions.
2Cultural mediation with evaluation: Explain the German concept and say why a British reader might find it strange or attractive.
Three or four sentences each; use a British comparison (comprehensive school, apprenticeship, volunteering) but mark the difference.
a)die Gesamtschule im Vergleich zum Gymnasium
b)der Meisterbrief
c)das Ehrenamt (z. B. bei der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr)
3Mediate the German article for an English-language student newspaper (150 to 180 words). Select and structure; add one sentence of explanation where a British reader needs it.
Explain: Landeselternausschuss, GEW, Bildungssenatorin, Handelskammer, Auszubildende — briefly, in the flow of the text.
a)Text: Berlin führt ab dem Schuljahr 2027/28 ein verpflichtendes Schulfach „Digitale Welt" ab Klasse 5 ein. Zwei Wochenstunden sollen Medienkompetenz, Datenschutz, Programmieren und den Umgang mit KI vermitteln. Der Landeselternausschuss begrüßt den Schritt, kritisiert aber, dass dafür eine Stunde Musik und eine Stunde Kunst wegfallen. Die GEW, die größte Lehrergewerkschaft, verweist auf fehlende Lehrkräfte: Für das neue Fach gebe es bisher keinen Studiengang, die ersten Lehrkräfte müssten aus anderen Fächern umgeschult werden. Die Bildungssenatorin verspricht ein Fortbildungsprogramm für 2.000 Lehrkräfte bis 2027 und verweist auf Dänemark, wo ein ähnliches Fach seit 2018 existiert. Ein Sprecher der Handelskammer nennt das Fach „überfällig"; die Wirtschaft brauche Auszubildende, die mit Daten umgehen könnten.
Information: Das Praktikum bei der Firma dauert zwei Wochen, ist unbezahlt, Arbeitszeit 8 bis 15 Uhr, Sicherheitsschuhe werden gestellt, Fahrtkosten erstattet die Schule bis 30 Euro.
1Register and reader: The same German information for two readers. Write both versions (two to three sentences each) and explain the differences.
Register, selection and phrasing change with the reader; the facts do not.
a)Version 1: a text message to your British exchange partner, who will do the placement with you.Text: „Hey, the placement is two weeks, 8 to 3, no pay but they give us safety shoes and school pays our travel up to 30 euros. Sorted!" — informal, contractions, selects what a peer cares about.
b)Version 2: an email to the British company's HR manager confirming the conditions.Email: „Dear Ms …, I am writing to confirm the conditions of the two-week work placement. Working hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the placement is unpaid, and safety shoes will be provided by the company. Travel costs will be reimbursed by the school up to 30 euros. Kind regards, …" — formal, full forms, passive, complete information.
2Cultural mediation with evaluation: Explain the German concept and say why a British reader might find it strange or attractive.
Three or four sentences each; use a British comparison (comprehensive school, apprenticeship, volunteering) but mark the difference.
a)die Gesamtschule im Vergleich zum Gymnasiume.g. A Gesamtschule teaches students of all abilities together, like a British comprehensive, whereas the Gymnasium selects academically stronger students at age 10 or 12 and leads to the Abitur. A British reader may find such early selection strange, as most UK schools stopped it in the 1970s.
b)der Meisterbriefe.g. The Meisterbrief is a master craftsman's certificate, gained after training and years of experience; it allows you to run your own business and train apprentices. It has no direct British equivalent — a plumber in the UK can set up without it — and gives skilled trades a status British readers may envy.
c)das Ehrenamt (z. B. bei der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr)e.g. Ehrenamt is unpaid voluntary work with a formal role; in most German villages, for example, the fire brigade is run by volunteers who train regularly and are called out from work. A British reader may be surprised that such an essential service depends on volunteers, but also attracted by the community spirit.
3Mediate the German article for an English-language student newspaper (150 to 180 words). Select and structure; add one sentence of explanation where a British reader needs it.
Explain: Landeselternausschuss, GEW, Bildungssenatorin, Handelskammer, Auszubildende — briefly, in the flow of the text.
a)Text: Berlin führt ab dem Schuljahr 2027/28 ein verpflichtendes Schulfach „Digitale Welt" ab Klasse 5 ein. Zwei Wochenstunden sollen Medienkompetenz, Datenschutz, Programmieren und den Umgang mit KI vermitteln. Der Landeselternausschuss begrüßt den Schritt, kritisiert aber, dass dafür eine Stunde Musik und eine Stunde Kunst wegfallen. Die GEW, die größte Lehrergewerkschaft, verweist auf fehlende Lehrkräfte: Für das neue Fach gebe es bisher keinen Studiengang, die ersten Lehrkräfte müssten aus anderen Fächern umgeschult werden. Die Bildungssenatorin verspricht ein Fortbildungsprogramm für 2.000 Lehrkräfte bis 2027 und verweist auf Dänemark, wo ein ähnliches Fach seit 2018 existiert. Ein Sprecher der Handelskammer nennt das Fach „überfällig"; die Wirtschaft brauche Auszubildende, die mit Daten umgehen könnten.(text)
Four questions first
Who reads it? What is it for? Which text type? Which register? These decide what you select and how you say it. The facts stay the same; the selection and the language change.
Selection
Include what the reader needs to act or decide. Leave out background that is interesting but useless for them (construction costs, internal politics). Keep numbers, times, prices, places.
Cultural gaps
Explain institutions and concepts briefly in the flow of the text: „the GEW, Germany's largest teachers' union". No word-for-word translation, no invented English terms.