It’s no secret that German grammar can be a bit challenging. To make it easier for children to understand, learn, and practise, there are creative approaches - one of which is the Montessori method. Using this method, children can learn the parts of speech in German in a fun, imaginative, and interactive way, which also makes their learning and thinking visible!
In the Year 2 German programme, children were first introduced to the story “The Land of Speech Parts.” In this story, each part of speech has its own symbol - for example, the noun is represented by a black triangle. Each part of speech is presented through an interactive story or game, leaving a lasting impression on the children.
At the beginning, the children meet Prince and Princess Noun, who rule the Land of the Parts of Speech. They give names to all objects, people, feelings, animals, and plants. All nouns are divided into different categories, and each category has its own castle. This imaginative setting helps children understand that all people, animals, things, plants, and feelings have names, live in a castle in this story, and must be written with a capital letter because they are names.
But Prince and Princess Noun don’t like to be alone - that’s why they always have a little guard with them: the definite or indefinite article.
So far in Year 2, the children have learned only nouns and articles. There are many more parts of speech to discover, and I can’t wait to continue the story and show the children the rest of the exciting adventures in the Land of Speech Parts!
A set of exercises complements the story, helping children practise their knowledge of the parts of speech. These exercises follow the same symbols and story, reinforcing grammar and sentence structure in a fun and memorable way.
By Valeria Song
Head of German
