Age range 11 to 16 By Alistair Brien, Sharon Brien and Shirley Dobson. Student’s book Pounds 6.50. - 019 9121532.

Repromaster book Pounds 30. 019 9121575

Teacher’s resource book Pounds 25. - 019 9121605 .

Set of two cassettes Pounds 29. - 019 8404654.

Assessment cassette Pounds 16 - 019 8404832.

Oxford University Press

Take time to plan and to select the appropriate technologyIperhaps record everything on cassette or on video.” Hackles begin to rise with this advice for the preparation of miniprojekte in Projekt Deutsch 3. But they are not a reflection on the value of the Projekt Deutsch approach, but on the shoddy reality of resourcing in modern language classrooms. The departmental computer is more likely to be used solely as a word processor for essential worksheets, access to listening posts is often shared and has to be timetabled, and even the television has to be booked well in advance.

Obviously determined to ignore all the gloom of these difficulties, Projekt Deutsch 3 continues the pattern of parts 1, 2 and 4 and provides a refreshingly innovative and vibrant approach to learning German.

Divided into six Projekte (Selbstportrat, Austausch nach Osterreich, Tiere, Hilfe, Zukunftsplane and Portrat einer Stadt), which are sub-divided into six units, the student’s book of Projekt Deutsch 3 continues the colourful and busy look of the course.

A combination of interesting graphics, photographs, print and handwriting styles makes it an attractive book. Having developed a pattern of independent learning using the Arbeitshefte in parts 1 and 2, in Projekt Deutsch 3 (and 4), independent work continues on photocopiable worksheets.

Within each Projekt, pupils work towards the completion of Projektideen, a set of practical activities linked to the entire Projekt - for example: Zukunftsplane ideas include class surveys on the importance of marriage, money, health, etc, a discussion on future subject and career choices, and a future diary outlining all the resolutions. Miniprojekte interspersed throughout the book add additional scope for individual, pair or team work.

Designed for pupils to work through at their own pace, Projekt Deutsch 3 anticipates high levels of motivitation, initiative and, to some extent, ability.

Within each Projekt, are at least two Sprachubung worksheets which offer pure grammar exercises: word order, parts of verbs in addition to a full grammar section in the pupil’s book. This will certainly appeal to the sceptical traditionalist, reluctant to accept the value of autonomous learning.

Despite the unavoidable fact that photocopying costs (just as the cost of the Arbeitshefte in parts 1 and 2) will be high, for a department embarking on a new German course, Projekt Deutsch 3 has finally filled a gap and completed an attractive and self-contained course which should have both pupil appeal and a high life expectancy.