Berlin Abitur English (3rd subject / GK) study plan

Skim three 600–800-word non-fiction English texts (e.g. newspaper comment pieces, popular-science essays) and mark thesis, main claims and supporting evidence in under 15 minutes each

Paraphrase ten dense sentences from those texts into plain English without copying more than three consecutive words

Build a personal glossary of 40 academic connectives and discourse markers (concession, contrast, causal, evaluative) and sort them by function

Rewrite five of your own sentences to replace vague verbs and nominalisations with precise ones

Identify the structure of one argumentative text (claim, counter-claim, rebuttal, conclusion) in a one-page outline

Analyse two literary or non-fiction extracts by writing a structured text analysis (introduction with title, author, genre, topic; main part with analysis of language, structure and intention; conclusion) of 400–500 words each

Apply a checklist of stylistic devices (metaphor, irony, rhetorical question, repetition, tone) and quote correctly with line references

Write one 250-word summary of a 900-word text that keeps all main points and stays within the word limit

Revise both analysis texts against a self-made error checklist and log every recurring mistake

Draft five thesis statements that take a clear position on a controversial statement from a text

Read one background text each on two English-speaking societies (e.g. UK devolution or US civil rights) and summarise the key institutions and debates in bullet points

Explain in writing how historical context shapes the argument of one literary or journalistic text

Compare two texts on the same topic from different English-speaking countries and describe differences in perspective and tone

Compile a fact sheet of 25 key dates, institutions and concepts relevant to typical Abitur topics (multicultural Britain, American Dream, globalisation)

Practise embedding cultural knowledge into an analysis without turning it into a history essay

Complete four timed listening sets (one 15–20-minute audio each: interview, report, discussion, podcast) and answer comprehension questions without pausing

Take structured notes using a two-column format (key points / details and numbers) while listening once only

Transcribe three 60-second segments and mark the exact points where comprehension broke down (connected speech, accent, speed)

Drill ten grammar areas that typically cost points in the written exam (tenses, conditionals, passive, reported speech, gerund/infinitive) with 10 items each

Complete three gap-fill and word-formation exercises in exam format and review every wrong answer with a rule

Listen to three 5-minute authentic audios (news, debate, lecture excerpt) and write a 120-word summary of each from notes only

Answer exam-style listening tasks with true/false, multiple matching and short answer under strict timing

Write one 300-word opinion essay (comment) with clear introduction, two developed arguments, counter-argument and conclusion

Use ten different cohesive devices correctly in the essay and highlight them for self-review

Rewrite the weakest paragraph of your essay twice to improve register and precision

Practise mediation three times: summarise a German source text (250–300 words) in English for an English-speaking reader in 150–200 words

Mediate in the other direction twice: render an English text into German, keeping register and terminology accurate

Build a 30-item bilingual glossary of exam-relevant terms (education, politics, environment, media) and use at least 15 in your mediations

Write one full exam-style writing task (analysis or comment, 400 words) under a 60-minute time limit

Self-assess the timed essay with the official-style criteria (content, structure, language) and set two concrete improvement targets

Run two 15-minute mock oral exams: 5 minutes summarising and analysing an unseen short text, 10 minutes defending a position on an Abitur-style question

Record yourself and evaluate fluency, pronunciation, range of vocabulary and interaction strategies against a checklist

Prepare and speak for 3 minutes each on four Landeskunde topics without notes

Practise asking for clarification, buying thinking time and reformulating in English during a simulated dialogue

Re-read two earlier analyses and mark where cultural knowledge would have strengthened the argument

Complete one full mock exam under real timing: reading comprehension, language tasks, writing and mediation in one sitting

Mark the mock exam strictly with the answer key and criteria, and calculate a percentage per domain

Re-do every task you lost more than 20 percent of points on and write a one-line rule for each

Review your error logs and glossary from weeks 1–7 and condense them into a two-page final revision sheet

Rehearse the oral exam once more with a partner or recording, focusing on the weakest area from week 7