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Salut (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support (Free Sample)
This structured vocabulary resource is designed to support learners who find German vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. It focuses on the high-frequency German question word wer, explaining what it means in modern German and how its meaning has remained stable over time.
Rather than relying on simple translation, the resource shows how wer fits into a wider system of meaning: how it is used to ask about people, how it contrasts with other German question words, and why it does not mean the same thing as words like wo. Earlier forms included in the resource are linguistic reconstructions used by scholars to model how the word is understood to have developed. These are not recorded quotations and are included only where they help make the modern meaning clearer and more logical.
Where helpful, links are made to familiar patterns in English, such as the relationship between wer and who. This allows learners to anchor the German word in existing knowledge and supports cross-linguistic transfer, helping vocabulary feel less arbitrary and more connected.
Each panel draws attention to one clear idea at a time, such as continuity of meaning or differences between person-questions and place-questions, without requiring learners to memorise historical detail. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or technical terminology. Panels can be explored in order or revisited independently over time, reducing working-memory load and supporting flexible use in short sessions.
This resource is designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and longer-term vocabulary retention when learners encounter wer again in lessons or reading. It does not replace teaching, practice, or repetition, but helps make repeated exposure more meaningful and effective.
The approach is grounded in evidence-based literacy practice and structured language explanation. Meaning is prioritised throughout, with historical context used only where it helps learners understand how the word works in present-day German .
What’s included
• A clear visual explanation of what wer means in modern German
• Explicit clarification that wer is used to ask about people
• Support for distinguishing wer from other German question words
• Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor meaning and reduce verbal explanation
• Historically informed context used only to support understanding, not memorisation
How to use
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Start with what wer means today, then use the panels to support discussion and understanding. Panels do not need to be used all at once or in a fixed order. An adult guides use and decides when to stop.
This resource supports classroom learning, tutoring, and home education, but does not replace teaching or practice .
Who it’s for
• Dyslexic learners studying German
• KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
• Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
• Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
View a free sample of this approach:
Salut (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support (Free Sample)
A structured vocabulary resource designed to support learners who find German vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. This resource focuses on the high-frequency German word Kaninchen, explaining what it means in modern German and how its meaning developed over time.
Rather than relying on simple translation, the resource shows how Kaninchen is connected to earlier naming patterns for animals and to ideas of classification and familiarity. Earlier forms included in the resource are linguistic reconstructions used by scholars to model how the word is thought to have developed. They are not recorded quotations and are included only where they help make the modern meaning clearer and more logical.
Where helpful, links are made to familiar patterns in English, including how animal names can shift in form and usage over time. This allows learners to anchor the German word in existing knowledge and supports cross-linguistic transfer, rather than treating vocabulary as arbitrary.
Each panel draws attention to one clear idea at a time, such as naming, form, or continuity of meaning, without requiring learners to memorise historical detail. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or technical terminology. Panels can be explored in order or revisited independently over time, reducing working-memory load and supporting flexible use in short sessions.
The resource is designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and longer-term vocabulary retention when learners encounter Kaninchen again in lessons or reading.
The accompanying photograph of a rabbit provides a clear, real-world visual anchor, reinforcing the modern meaning of Kaninchen as a concrete, living animal rather than an abstract vocabulary item.
What’s included
• A clear visual explanation of how Kaninchen developed and what it means in modern German
• Explicit clarification of meaning without relying on rote memorisation
• Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor understanding and reduce verbal explanation
• Support for understanding semantic development without requiring memorisation of history
How to use
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Start with what Kaninchen means today, then use the panels to support discussion and understanding. Panels do not need to be used all at once or in strict order. An adult guides use and decides when to stop.
This resource supports classroom learning, tutoring, and home education, but does not replace teaching or practice.
Who it’s for
• Dyslexic learners studying German
• KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
• Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
• Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
View a free sample of this approach:
Salut (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support (Free Sample)
A structured vocabulary resource designed to support learners who find German vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. This resource focuses on the high-frequency German word Pferd, explaining what it means in modern German and how its meaning developed over time.
Rather than relying on simple translation, the resource shows how Pferd is connected to earlier ideas of riding, transport, and everyday use. Earlier forms included in the resource are linguistic reconstructions used by scholars to model how the word is thought to have developed. They are not recorded quotations and are included only where they help make the modern meaning clearer and more logical.
Where helpful, links are made to familiar patterns in English, such as older or regional words for ‘horse’, and to related ideas of travel and riding. This allows learners to anchor the German word in existing knowledge and supports cross-linguistic transfer, rather than treating vocabulary as arbitrary.
Each panel draws attention to one clear idea at a time, such as continuity of meaning or change in form, without requiring learners to memorise historical detail. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or technical terminology. Panels can be explored in order or revisited independently over time, reducing working-memory load and supporting flexible use in short sessions.
The resource is designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and longer-term vocabulary retention when learners encounter Pferd again in lessons or reading.
What’s included
• A clear visual explanation of how Pferd developed and what it means in modern German
• Explicit clarification of meaning without relying on rote memorisation
• Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor understanding and reduce verbal explanation
• Support for understanding semantic development without requiring memorisation of history
How to use
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Start with what Pferd means today, then use the panels to support discussion and understanding. Panels do not need to be used all at once or in strict order. An adult guides use and decides when to stop.
This resource supports classroom learning, tutoring, and home education, but does not replace teaching or practice.
Who it’s for
• Dyslexic learners studying German
• KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
• Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
• Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
Photograph taken on a high mountain pasture above Andorra.
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
View a free sample of this approach:
Salut (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support (Free Sample)
A structured vocabulary resource designed to support learners who find German vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. This resource focuses on the high-frequency German word Schlange, explaining what it means in modern German and how its meaning developed over time.
Rather than relying on simple translation, the resource shows how Schlange is connected to earlier ideas of winding, looping, and curving. Earlier forms included in the resource are linguistic reconstructions used by scholars to model how the word is thought to have developed. They are not recorded quotations and are included only where they help make the modern meaning clearer and more logical.
Where helpful, links are made to familiar patterns in English, such as words connected to looping, coiling, or bending. This allows learners to anchor the German word in existing knowledge and supports cross-linguistic transfer, rather than treating vocabulary as arbitrary.
Each panel draws attention to one clear idea at a time, such as shape or movement, without requiring learners to memorise historical detail. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or technical terminology. Panels can be explored in order or revisited independently over time, reducing working-memory load and supporting flexible use in short sessions.
The resource is designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and longer-term vocabulary retention when learners encounter Schlange again in lessons or reading.
The accompanying photograph of a snake, taken at Westonbirt Arboretum, provides a real-world visual anchor to reinforce the idea of winding shape and movement.
What’s included
• A clear visual explanation of how Schlange developed and what it means in modern German
• Explicit clarification of the core meaning and how it extends to related uses
• Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor meaning and reduce verbal explanation
• Support for understanding semantic development without requiring memorisation of history
How to use
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Start with what Schlange means today, then use the panels to support discussion and understanding. Panels do not need to be used all at once or in strict order. An adult guides use and decides when to stop.
This resource supports classroom learning, tutoring, and home education, but does not replace teaching or practice.
Who it’s for
• Dyslexic learners studying German
• KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
• Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
• Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
View a free sample of this approach:
Salut (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support (Free Sample)
This structured vocabulary resource supports learners who find German vocabulary difficult to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. It focuses on the high-frequency German word auch, explaining what it means in modern German and how its meaning developed over time.
Rather than relying on direct translation alone, the resource shows how auch is rooted in the idea of adding or including something more. Earlier forms are introduced only where they help make the modern meaning clearer and more logical. These earlier forms are linguistic reconstructions, used by scholars as explanatory models. They are not recorded quotations and are not treated as facts to be learned.
Where helpful, links are made to familiar patterns in English, including the connection between German auch and the English phrase to eke out, which still carries the older idea of adding or stretching something. This supports cross-linguistic transfer and helps learners see vocabulary as meaningful rather than arbitrary.
Each panel focuses on one clear idea at a time, such as inclusion, confirmation, or emphasis, without requiring learners to memorise historical detail. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or terminology. Panels can be explored in order or revisited independently, reducing working-memory load and supporting flexible use in short sessions.
The resource is designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind. It prioritises explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It does not replace teaching or practice, but helps make repeated exposure more meaningful and effective over time.
The approach is grounded in evidence-based literacy practice and structured language explanation. Meaning comes first; historical context is used only where it supports understanding of how the word works in present-day German .
What’s included
• A clear visual explanation of what auch means in modern German
• Support for understanding auch as ‘also’, ‘too’, and as a word that confirms or adds emphasis
• Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor meaning and reduce verbal explanation
• Careful links to English where they support understanding, without overloading learners
• Support for semantic understanding without requiring memorisation of history
How to use
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Start with what auch means today, then use the panels to support discussion and understanding. Panels do not need to be used all at once or in strict order. An adult guides use and decides when to stop.
This resource supports classroom learning, tutoring, and home education, but does not replace teaching or practice.
Who it’s for
• Dyslexic learners studying German
• KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
• Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
• Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
Photograph taken from a window in Schloss Thun, looking out over Thun.
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
This resource provides a core German vocabulary set focused on describing yourself, members of your family, and animals or pets. It includes the key words learners need to respond to common speaking and short writing tasks, such as personal descriptions, family descriptions, and simple questions about pets and birthdays.
I originally created this resource for my son while he was revising for a German speaking test. He understood the language content, but the combination of listening to a question, recalling vocabulary, planning a sentence, and speaking accurately at the same time created unnecessary difficulty. Making the vocabulary visible during revision changed the task from one of memory under pressure to one of language use.
This resource reduces cognitive load by separating vocabulary retrieval from sentence construction. Instead of needing to recall every word from memory, learners can see the vocabulary while practising. This allows them to focus their attention on the essential aspects of language production: structure, meaning, and accuracy.
For many neurodivergent learners, including those who are dyslexic or autistic, word retrieval under pressure can be a significant barrier. Difficulty finding a word does not mean the word is not known, but it can interrupt thinking, increase anxiety, and lead to disengagement. By removing the requirement to retrieve vocabulary at the same time as forming sentences, this resource helps prevent that breakdown.
Keeping the vocabulary visible also increases predictability and control. Learners can see the full set of expected words, select a manageable subset, rehearse responses repeatedly, and check accuracy independently. This supports learners who benefit from clear structure, reduced uncertainty, and consistent routines.
The vocabulary can be used as:
a word bank for speaking or writing
support when rehearsing likely assessment questions
a planning tool before writing
a reference for checking accuracy after producing spoken or written answers
a way to select and practise a small, personal vocabulary set
This approach supports confident, accurate communication in German. The emphasis is on successful language use, not rote memorisation or recall under pressure, allowing learners to demonstrate what they know and build fluency through supported practice.
View a free sample of this approach:
Salut (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support (Free Sample)
A structured vocabulary resource designed to support learners who find German vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. This resource focuses on the high-frequency German word Leben, explaining what it means in modern German and how its meaning developed over time.
Rather than relying on simple translation, the resource shows how Leben is connected to earlier ideas of staying, continuing, and remaining. Earlier forms included in the resource are linguistic reconstructions used by scholars to model how the word is thought to have developed. They are not recorded quotations and are included only where they help make the modern meaning clearer and more logical.
Where helpful, links are made to familiar patterns in English, such as the relationship between life and live, and older uses connected to continuing or remaining. This allows learners to anchor the German word in existing knowledge and supports cross-linguistic transfer, rather than treating German vocabulary as arbitrary.
Each panel draws attention to one clear idea at a time, such as continuity of form or a shift in meaning, without requiring learners to memorise historical detail. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or technical terminology. Panels can be explored in order or revisited independently over time, reducing working-memory load and supporting flexible use in short sessions.
This resource was designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and longer-term vocabulary retention when learners encounter Leben again in lessons or reading. It does not replace teaching, practice, or repetition, but helps make repeated exposure more meaningful and effective.
The approach is grounded in evidence-based literacy practice and structured language explanation. Meaning is prioritised first, with historical context used only where it helps learners understand how the word works in present-day German.
What’s included
• A clear visual explanation of how Leben developed and what it means in modern German
• Explicit clarification of how Leben functions as both a noun (‘life’) and a verb (‘to live’)
• Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor meaning and reduce verbal explanation
• Support for understanding semantic development without requiring memorisation of history
How to use
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Start with what Leben means today, then use the panels to support discussion and understanding. Panels do not need to be used all at once or in strict order. An adult guides use and decides when to stop.
This resource supports classroom learning, tutoring, and home education, but does not replace teaching or practice.
Who it’s for
• Dyslexic learners studying German
• KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
• Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
• Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
Curious to try my resources? Start here.
This little set of ‘test’ themed resources is a gentle way to try out how I teach spelling, morphology and vocabulary, without committing to full price.
Each one is 75% off for a limited time and works well as a standalone activity or as a taster before diving into the other packs.
Ideal for: home educators, 11+ candidates and anyone wanting a low cost starting point.
