German Core Vocabulary: Describing Yourself, Family and Animals
£2.00
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.
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.
