Plans for next summer (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Plans for next summer
Essential vocabulary for making plans
When discussing future plans and holidays, you'll need these key verbs. Learning them in groups helps you remember their meanings and use them naturally in conversations. This systematic approach to vocabulary building will make it easier to express complex ideas about your summer plans.
Planning and organising verbs
| German | English |
|---|---|
| planen | to plan |
| organisieren | to organise |
| reservieren | to book |
| entscheiden | to decide |
| vorhaben | to intend |
Feelings and opinions about plans
| German | English |
|---|---|
| hoffen | to hope |
| wünschen | to wish |
| wollen | to want |
| Angst haben | to be afraid |
| brauchen | to need |
Action and experience verbs
| German | English |
|---|---|
| teilnehmen an | to take part in |
| sparen | to save |
| überraschen | to surprise |
| überzeugen | to convince |
| wagen | to dare |
| empfehlen | to recommend |
Worked Example: Using Vocabulary in Context
Here are practical sentences showing these verbs in action:
- Ich plane eine Reise nach Italien. (I'm planning a trip to Italy.)
- Wir hoffen auf gutes Wetter. (We hope for good weather.)
- Meine Eltern wollen ein Hotel reservieren. (My parents want to book a hotel.)
- Ich habe vor, Spaß mit meiner Familie zu haben. (I intend to have fun with my family.)
Using 'wenn' clauses
Wenn means 'when' or 'if' and helps you create more complex sentences by linking ideas together. This is essential for expressing conditions and possibilities in your summer plans. Mastering wenn clauses will significantly improve your ability to discuss hypothetical situations and future plans.
Key Grammar Rule
When using wenn, the verb in the wenn-clause goes to the end of that clause.
Pattern: Main clause + wenn + subject + other words + verb
Practical examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wir werden in den Urlaub fahren, wenn es möglich ist. | We will go on holiday if it's possible. |
| Ich fahre nach Spanien, wenn das Wetter gut ist. | I'll go to Spain if the weather is good. |
| Wir besuchen das Museum, wenn meine Eltern ja sagen. | We'll visit the museum if my parents agree. |
Common wenn expressions for holidays:
- wenn es möglich ist - if it's possible
- wenn das Wetter gut ist - if the weather is good
- wenn meine Eltern ja sagen - if my parents agree
- wenn meine Freunde mitkommen wollen - if my friends want to come with me
- wenn ich die Gelegenheit habe - if I have the opportunity
Exam practice tips
Developing effective exam strategies will help you maximise your performance in German assessments. These techniques work particularly well for summer holiday topics.
Reading comprehension approach
Effective Reading Strategy
- Look for key words first (names, places, activities)
- Don't panic if you don't understand every word
- Use context clues to work out meanings
- Check your answers make logical sense
Writing about plans
Building your writing skills requires a structured approach that progresses from simple to complex sentences.
Step-by-Step Writing Approach
- Start with simple statements: Ich plane... (I plan...)
- Add conditions using wenn: Ich plane eine Reise, wenn...
- Include opinions: Ich hoffe... (I hope...), Ich wünsche... (I wish...)
- Mention other people: Meine Familie will... (My family wants...)
Translation Practice
German to English:
- Ich möchte in einem Hotel in Berlin übernachten, wenn ich das Geld habe.
- Wir werden eine Fahrradtour machen, wenn unsere Freunde mitkommen wollen.
English to German:
- I plan to visit my grandparents if the weather is good.
- We want to save money for our summer holiday.
Answers:
- I would like to stay overnight in a hotel in Berlin if I have the money.
- We will do a bike tour if our friends want to come with us.
- Ich plane, meine Großeltern zu besuchen, wenn das Wetter gut ist.
- Wir wollen Geld für unsere Sommerferien sparen.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Learn verbs in groups by meaning (planning, hoping, wanting) to make them easier to remember
- Wenn clauses always put the verb at the end - this is crucial for getting marks in your exam
- Practice conditional sentences as they show advanced German and score well in speaking and writing tasks
- Use context clues in reading tasks - you don't need to understand every word to get the right answer
- Include a variety of verbs in your own writing to demonstrate vocabulary range and boost your marks