What are the best phrases to use when I don't understand in a German GCSE speaking exam?

The best phrases are polite and show you want to continue. Use 'Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?' (Can you repeat that please?) or 'Könnten Sie das bitte langsamer sagen?' (Could you say that more slowly?). If you need a word explained, say 'Was bedeutet ...?' (What does ... mean?). Avoid just saying 'Was?' as it sounds rude.

How can I paraphrase in German if I forget a word?

Think of a simple description. For example, if you forget 'Kühlschrank' (fridge), say 'der Ort, wo man Essen kalt hält' (the place where you keep food cold). Use relative clauses with 'wo' or 'das' to describe the function. Practice by describing everyday objects in German without naming them.

Is it okay to use English fillers like 'um' in the German speaking exam?

It's better to use German fillers like 'also', 'na ja', or 'eigentlich'. Using English fillers can break the immersion and may lose you marks for communication. Train yourself to replace 'um' with 'ähm' or 'also' – it sounds more natural and shows you're thinking in German.

How do I ask for clarification without sounding like I haven't prepared?

Use phrases that show you are engaged, like 'Entschuldigung, ich habe nicht verstanden. Können Sie das erklären?' (Sorry, I didn't understand. Can you explain that?). This shows you are actively listening and want to get it right. Examiners appreciate this because it demonstrates communication strategies.

What if I completely blank and can't think of any German?

Take a deep breath and use a filler like 'Also, lassen Sie mich nachdenken...' (Well, let me think...). Then try to rephrase the question back to the examiner to buy time, e.g., 'Sie fragen mich nach meinen Hobbys, richtig?' (You're asking about my hobbies, right?). This shows you are still in control.

Do communication strategies help in the writing exam too?

Yes, absolutely. In writing, you can use paraphrasing if you don't know a specific word. For example, instead of 'die Umweltverschmutzung' (pollution), you could write 'die Verschmutzung der Umwelt'. Also, using fillers in writing isn't necessary, but showing you can rephrase ideas flexibly will impress examiners and help you avoid repetition.

Communication strategies

AQA

GCSE

Communication strategies are essential tools for students to cope with unknown words and maintain communication when their linguistic knowledge is incomplete. These strategies are divided into those for understanding (reading and listening) and those for production (speaking and writing).

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Communication strategies in German (AQA GCSE) focus on how to manage conversations effectively when you don't know a word or phrase, or when you need to clarify meaning. This topic covers techniques such as asking for repetition, paraphrasing, using fillers, and expressing uncertainty. Mastering these strategies is essential for the speaking and listening exams, as they demonstrate your ability to keep a conversation going and handle real-life situations with confidence.

These strategies are not just about avoiding silence; they show the examiner that you can think on your feet and use German resourcefully. For example, if you forget the word for 'library' (die Bibliothek), you might say 'der Ort, wo man Bücher ausleiht' (the place where you borrow books). This skill is highly valued in the GCSE marking criteria, especially for the 'communication and interaction' strand. It also helps you in the writing exam when you need to rephrase ideas.

In the wider AQA GCSE German syllabus, communication strategies link closely to topics like 'identity and culture', 'local area', and 'school'. They are practiced in role-plays, photo cards, and general conversations. By learning these strategies, you become a more independent and adaptable speaker, which is exactly what the examiners want to see.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Asking for repetition: Use phrases like 'Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?' (Can you repeat that please?) or 'Wie bitte?' (Pardon?).
→Paraphrasing: Explain a word you don't know using simpler language, e.g., 'ein Gerät, mit dem man Fotos macht' (a device for taking photos) for 'Kamera'.
→Fillers and hesitation devices: Use 'also' (well), 'na ja' (well), 'eigentlich' (actually), or 'ich meine' (I mean) to buy time while thinking.
→Expressing uncertainty: Use phrases like 'Ich bin mir nicht sicher' (I'm not sure) or 'Vielleicht' (maybe) to show you are thinking.
→Checking understanding: Ask 'Verstehen Sie?' (Do you understand?) or 'Ist das klar?' (Is that clear?) to ensure the listener follows.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Ability to infer meaning from context (visual, verbal, social, cultural)
Use of grammatical markers to identify word categories
Recognition of cognates and near-cognates
Application of word formation patterns (prefixes/suffixes)
Effective use of non-verbal strategies (mime, gesture, pointing)
Effective use of verbal strategies (paraphrase, description, simplification)
Ability to maintain communication despite gaps in knowledge

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Ability to infer meaning from context (visual, verbal, social, cultural)
Use of grammatical markers to identify word categories
Recognition of cognates and near-cognates
Application of word formation patterns (prefixes/suffixes)
Effective use of non-verbal strategies (mime, gesture, pointing)
Effective use of verbal strategies (paraphrase, description, simplification)
Ability to maintain communication despite gaps in knowledge

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use layout, title, and pictures to predict content before reading or listening
💡Ignore words that are not essential for understanding the main points
💡Use grammatical clues (plural forms, verb endings, word order) to guess word categories
💡If you forget a word, describe it, use a synonym, or paraphrase rather than giving up
💡Use repair strategies (e.g., asking for clarification) to sustain communication in speaking tests
💡In the speaking exam, if you don't understand a question, use 'Können Sie die Frage bitte wiederholen?' This buys you time and shows you are trying to engage. Do not just say 'Was?'.
💡When paraphrasing, keep it simple. You don't need a perfect definition; just enough to convey the idea. For example, 'etwas zum Schreiben' (something for writing) for 'Stift' (pen) is fine.
💡Practice using fillers in your answers. Record yourself and count how many times you pause. Aim to replace silences with 'also' or 'na ja'. This makes your speech flow better and sounds more natural.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Over-reliance on 'false friends' (e.g., also, Gymnasium)
Topic avoidance (ignoring or abandoning a topic due to lack of vocabulary)
Over-use of word coinage (creating non-existent German words based on English)
Failing to use repair strategies when communication breaks down
Misconception: Using fillers like 'ähm' is unprofessional. Correction: In GCSE speaking, natural fillers are fine and even recommended to avoid long pauses. They show you are thinking in German.
Misconception: You must always know the exact word. Correction: Paraphrasing is a key skill. Examiners reward you for finding a way to communicate, even if you don't know the precise vocabulary.
Misconception: Asking for repetition shows weakness. Correction: It shows you are managing the conversation. It's better to ask than to guess incorrectly and lose marks for communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic vocabulary on common topics (e.g., school, hobbies, family) to have something to paraphrase from.
•Understanding of question words (wer, was, wo, wann, warum) to ask for clarification effectively.
•Confidence with simple sentence structures (subject-verb-object) so you can rephrase without grammatical errors.

Study Guide Available

Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Circumlocution and Paraphrasing - Award marks for the successful use of descriptive phrases such as 'Es ist ein Ding, das...' or 'Man benutzt es für...' to bypass unknown nouns.
Decoding Authentic Input - Credit responses that demonstrate the ability to identify 'false friends' (e.g., Gift, Eventuell) and utilize context clues in news reports or literary extracts.
Interactional Fillers and Repair Strategies - Candidates must employ fillers such as 'Eigentlich,' 'Na ja,' or 'Wie sagt man...?' to manage hesitation and self-correct during spontaneous speech.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Beschreib

Vergleich

Schreib

Ergänze

Beantworte

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