Vancouver Westside German School
Classes
Time: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 4:00pm - 6:15pm (September to May)Location: Carnarvon Community School, 3400 Balaclava Street, Vancouver, BC
Class Structure:
Classes are structured according to age and ability. Currently classes up to and including level 4/5 are split into German and English streams. After level 7 students write the Intermediate Diploma CAGLS (offered through the Canadian Association of German Language Schools). After completing the diploma, level 8 and 9 work towards obtaining language credits for German 11 and 12. After passing these levels students receive high school credits for German 11 or German 12. However, to get full credits for German 12 they are also required to write the provincial exam for German at their high school, which accounts for 40% of the total mark.
Additionally, students in level 9 write the Sprachdiplom A2 exam (replacing Zentrale Deutschprufung, ZDP). Students who choose to continue with their German studies can prepare for Sprachdiplom B1 (replaces Sprachdiplom I) and eventually Sprachdiplom C1 (replaces Sprachdiplom II).
Exams:
What is the German Language Diploma (Sprachdiplom)?
Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (German Language Diploma) is offered through the German government (Bundesverwaltungsamt Zentralstelle fur Auslandsschulwesen). These exams are offered in over 50 countries and in more than 428 schools worldwide with about 16,000 successful participants every year. It represents a proven language certification with central exams as well as central evaluation in Germany (for written parts). The exam consists of four parts: written and oral communication, reading and listening comprehension.
Starting with the school year 2007/2008 the new structure of the DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom) is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Gemeinsamer Europaischer Referenzrahmen fur Sprachen):
DSD A2 basic use of the language offers advantages for job application
DSD B1 independent use of the language. Language proficiency certificate to enroll at a preparatory Studienkolleg
DSD C1 competent use of the language. Language proficiency certificate for university studies in Germany