Know what each official task verb requires before your child starts writing.
My child's answer looks complete to me, but the teacher says the task was not fulfilled.
German task verbs are not synonyms: beschreiben, erklären, begründen and erörtern each demand a different answer structure. Choosing the wrong one costs points even when the content is correct.
Teach one habit: underline the operator first and say aloud what it requires. Practise the four most common operators until your child can plan an answer in one minute.
Ich beschreibe, warum das passiert.
Ich begründe, warum das passiert: erstens …, zweitens …
Which operator is in this task, and what does it ask you to do?
Give your child five task verbs. Ask for the answer structure each one requires — not the answer itself.
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.
See how a German teacher defines what a full-mark answer must contain — before marking begins.
Turn the teacher's test announcement into a preparation checklist your child can work through.
Understand the three requirement levels — and why the higher marks live in levels II and III.