Lesson 15 German
Family and family relations
My name is Ewa, and I am happy to welcome you today as your German teacher on the Hrily platform. I recently spoke to a friend at a senior care agency in Germany. She told me about the unique relationship that developed between a Polish caregiver and her German ward. This story made me realize how important communication and cultural understanding are in our work. This is what makes our classes so significant – we not only learn the language, but also build bridges between different cultures.
German vocabulary for caregivers
Today’s theme is Family and Family Relations, which is crucial, especially in the context of our elderly care industry. Today we will learn 10 new words related to family and family relationships. It will be an opportunity to better understand and express the emotions and needs of our caregivers, who are often like family to us.
Here are the words we will learn today:
- Family – Die Familie
- Mother – Die Mutter
- Father – Der Vater
- Brother – Der Bruder
- Sister – Die Schwester
- Grandfather –Der Großvater
- Grandmother- Die Großmutter
- Baby – Das Kind
- Grandson – Der Enkel
- Granddaughter – Die Enkelin
Remember that our role as caregivers is more than just everyday tasks – it is also about building close family relationships. In our profession, we are typically like family members to those we care for.
I invite you to study together!
Example dialogues – everyday phrases and expressions
Dialogue 1: Family in Germany ( eine Familie in Deutschland)
Ewa: Herr Martin, wie geht es Ihrer Familie?(Mr. Martin, how is your family?)
Martin: Meine Familie ist weit entfert, aber wir telefonieren oft. (My family lives far away, but we often talk on the phone.)
Dialogue 2: Care and support(eine Betreuung und Unterstützung)
Ewa: Brauchen Sie zusätzliche Unterstützung im Alltag?(Do you need extra support every day?)
Martin: Manchmal, vor allem beim Einkaufen.(Sometimes, especially when shopping.)
Dialogue 3: Memories and Stories (eine Erinnerungen und Geschichten)
Ewa: Erzählen Sie mir bitte von Ihren Lieblingsmomenten mit Ihrer Familie. (Tell me about your favorite moments with your family.)
Martin: Ich erinnere mich gerne an die Familienurlaube in den Bergen. (I like to mention family holidays in the mountains.)
These dialogues will make it easier for students not only to learn the language, but also to understand the subtle aspects of communication with seniors, which is crucial in home care and emotional support. They provide practical examples of how to build relationships and understand the needs of seniors.
Interactive Exercises: Strengthening Language Skills
Task 1: Dialogues in Practice
Task description: The aim of this task is to use newly learned words and phrases in the context of realistic dialogues that may take place in the babysitter’s job. Students should create two short dialogues using the vocabulary from today’s lesson. These dialogues should reflect typical situations in the care of the elderly, such as discussions about the caregiver’s family or joint planning of the day.
Example: Ewa (Caregiver): Guten Morgen, Herr Schmidt. Wie haben Sie geschlafen? (Good morning, Mr. Schmidt. How did you sleep?)
Herr Schmidt (Mentee): Not so gut. Ich habe von meiner Familie geträumt. (Not so good. I dreamt about my family.)
Task 2: Description of Care for the Elderly
In this assignment, students should write a brief description of the day in the life of a caregiver, using vocabulary from the lessons and phrases such as caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or recommended employment agencies for caregivers in Germany. The description should include elements typical of round-the-clock care, such as help with daily activities, spending time with the caregiver or organizing leisure time.
Example: Als Pflegerin beginne ich meinen Tag mit der Zubereitung des Frühstücks für Frau Müller, die an Alzheimer erkrankt ist. Wir verbringen viel Zeit miteinander, sprechen über ihre Familie und planen den Tag. Ich arbeite für einen empfohlenen Pflegeagenturen in Deutschland, was mir eine qualitativ hochwertige Betreuung ermöglicht.(As a caregiver, I start the day by preparing breakfast for Mrs. Müller, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. We spend a lot of time together, talking about her family and planning the day. I work for one of the recommended care agencies in Germany, which allows me to provide quality care.)
These assignments are aimed not only at learning German, but also at developing the practical skills necessary to work as a caregiver for the elderly. By combining theory with practice, students will be better prepared for their role in the profession.
Interesting facts about the German language
Today, I would like to share with you an interesting fact about the German language, which is closely related to our work as caregivers for the elderly. Many people do not realize how important the so-called falsche Freunde (false friends) are in German – words that sound similar to Polish, but have an entirely different meaning.
One example might be the word bald, which sounds similar to the English word ball, but actually means soon. Such a mistake can be amusing, but it can also be dangerous in the context of elder care. Imagine a situation where we tell our German ward that we are going for a walk. He might think it’s something entirely different!
This curiosity reminds us how significant it is to understand the nuances of language, especially at work, where caring for a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s requires clear and precise communication. With such small but indispensable details in mind, we can avoid misunderstandings and provide our clients with the best possible care.
Summary of Lesson 15: German for caregivers – Family and family relationships
Thank you for your active participation in today’s class on family and family relationships. I hope the new vocabulary and dialogues helped you better understand and express the emotions and needs of your mentees. Remember that the ability to communicate with them in their native language not only facilitates their daily work, but also allows them to build deeper family ties.
I invite you to regularly practice new words and phrases. Use the practical assignments to prepare you even better for the challenges of caring for the elderly. Remember that every lesson is a step towards better understanding and support for the people you care about.
Don’t miss our next lesson, Body Parts
I invite you now to our next lesson, titled. Body parts. This will be invaluable knowledge, especially in the care of the elderly, where we often talk about health and well-being. Not only will we learn the names of individual body parts, but we will also learn how to talk about the ailments and health needs of our patients. See you soon on Hrily platform!