Sparrows Program (Prep – Year 6)
~5 hrs
Hours of instruction per week
5–12 years
Age group
Overview
The Sparrows Program is a holistic German-language education program for primary school children with established German language skills. Students are enrolled at Toorak Primary School and fully integrated into the Australian school day – in addition, they receive around five hours of German instruction per week at the level of German primary schools.
Our program combines quality German education, cultural connection and bilingual development in a supportive, family-like learning environment.
Class Options
Program A
Monday or Thursday, 1:00–3:30 pm at Toorak Primary School.
Program B
Monday and Thursday, 3:30–5:00 pm at Toorak Primary School.
Standard program: A & B
Concept & Class Structure
- Full integration into the Australian classroom at Toorak Primary School
- German lessons in a separate room, always on Mondays and Thursdays
- Approx. 5 hours per week, parallel to and complementing the Australian curriculum
- Lessons taught exclusively in German with teaching materials from Germany
- Teachers are German-trained primary school teachers registered in Australia
Class Groups
| Group | Year levels |
|---|---|
| Minispatzen | Prep – Year 2 |
| Spatzen | Year 3 – 6 |
Small learning groups allow for individual support.
Who is it for?
The Sparrows Program is designed for children aged 5–12 who already have solid German language skills – usually through a German-speaking family background. Admission follows a short assessment by our teaching team.
Participation is possible without living in the school zone – the TPS zoning has never been an obstacle.
What we teach
Lessons cover all areas of the German language:
- Speaking – communication and oral expression
- Reading – with a large German children’s and youth library
- Writing – from cursive handwriting to creative writing
- Spelling & grammar – following German primary school textbooks (Baden-Württemberg)
Beyond that, we integrate:
- Music & art
- Science and social topics
- Cultural elements and traditions
Methods & Teaching Approach
Immersion – German as the everyday language
Only German is spoken in the classroom, creating a natural language environment.
Mixed-age groups
Strengthen social development, a sense of responsibility and self-confidence.
Project-based learning
Language learning is embedded in projects – e.g. fairy tale projects, the seasons, exploring cities.
Holistic learning – “with head, heart and hands”
- Theatre & role play
- Music & movement
- Art & craft projects
- Games, puzzles, discovery
Benefits of a bilingual school model
Research shows that children raised bilingually have:
- Stronger cognitive abilities
- Better problem-solving skills
- Improved attention and learning flexibility
Our students expand their language skills, deepen their cultural roots and benefit from the Australian school system at the same time. By being integrated into a government school, we can offer quality education at a moderate cost.
Enrolment
For enrolment questions and further information: enrolments.spatzenschule@gmail.com
