Understand what German school instructions actually require — begründen (give reasons for your answer), erklären (explain), beschreiben (describe) and vergleichen (compare).
Tick anything that feels true for your child right now.
Understand exactly what this common task word requires your child to do.
Tell the difference between erklären and beschreiben — and answer each correctly.
Help your child structure a clear, balanced comparison using vergleichen.
Show your child how to summarise without retelling the whole text.
A one-page reference for the most common German task words.
Read a task word and predict the answer format the teacher expects.
Not sure which tool your child needs first? Begin with this practical starter tool.
What Does Begründen Mean?
Understand exactly what this common task word requires your child to do.
Receive practical German-school strategies, German examples and new Parent Tools matched to common challenges experienced by expat families.
These tools help you practise individual skills. If you are unsure which skill your child needs help with first, the Warum-Check can help you choose a starting point.