This is a stimulating and challenging course which aims to develop the student’s love of the German language by using it to discuss aspects of modern day society and by analysing its grammar in greater depth than is possible at GCSE level. The skills assessed are the familiar ones of listening, speaking, reading and writing but lessons emphasise discussion and the development of students’ views and opinions. In addition to classroom lessons, students also have access to the German Assistant.
Students study various aspects of society, culture and history in German-speaking countries. These are grouped into four main themes.
- Aspects of German society
- Political and artistic culture in German-speaking countries
- Immigration and the multicultural German society
- The Reunification of Germany
In addition students will study a German film in year 12 and a literary text in year 13.
The examination board is Edexcel.
At the end of year 13 students will be assessed on all aspects of the course by means of the following exams.
Unit 1: Listening and Reading
(2 hour 30 minutes exam)
Students will be assessed in these skills across all of the four main themes studied over the two year course. They will also be tested on their ability to translate from German into English.
Unit 2: Writing
(2 hour exam)
Students will be assessed on their ability to criticise and analyse the film and book they have studied, and also to translate into German.
Unit 3: Speaking
(20 minute exam)
Students’ speaking abilities are assessed through discussion of their individual research project and one of the themes from unit 1.
Foreign language skills are much sought after in the work place and an A Level in German is good preparation for any student entering employment in the 21st Century. At university German can be studied either in combination with another language or with almost any other subject and leads to careers in sales, marketing, business, journalism, engineering, the civil service – in fact, in just about anything!
GCSE GRADE PROFILE
Students studying German at this level should normally have 9 to 5 grades in a range of subjects at GCSE level. In order to cope with the level of written accuracy required for A level study, students should have at least a grade 6 in German.