German - A Level

Year 12: Topics studied include: the changing nature of family; aspects of the digital world; youth culture (fashion, music, TV); customs and traditions; Berlin cultural life, art and architecture.

Year 13: Multiculturalism in German-speaking countries; immigration and integration; racism; EU politics; youth politics; German reunification.

Students work on their IRP (individual research project) throughout the latter part of the course, culminating in their speaking exam.

Students also develop critical analysis and literary skills through the study of a film (Almanya: Willkommen in Deutschland) and a novel (Der Vorleser), exploring themes, characters, and cultural context in depth.

The course is designed to give a profound understanding of German, covering grammar and vocabulary, but also focusing on how people live and use the language day-to-day.

Students develop their ability to express opinions and justify perspectives in both written and spoken forms using higher-level structures.

Students develop a profound understanding of the mechanics of German (grammar and vocabulary) and daily language use.

Students are assessed on their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills at the end of Year 13.

• Listening, reading and writing paper (Paper 1) (50% of overall mark). This paper covers culture, politics, and aspects of German-speaking society through skills of listening, reading, summarising and translation. 
• Writing paper (20% of overall mark). Students will need to answer two essay questions, based on the film and novel that have been studied.
• Speaking exam (30% of overall mark): In the first part of the speaking exam, students will show their knowledge of one of the modules studied at A Level, and demonstrate their wider understanding and analysis of that topic. In the second part of the speaking exam, students will present and discuss their individual research project.

• Minimum of grade 6 in GCSE German.
• You should already have a solid basis in the language, have a strong grammatical grasp and awareness, and be working easily at GCSE Higher Level.

• Study days, cultural workshops, and trips to German-speaking countries for real-life practice.
• Language competitions and enrichment events.
• Opportunity to become a language mentor for younger students.

• Bilingualism is becoming increasingly important, and universities are responding to employer demands with an enormous growth in the number of combined degree courses available.

• Studying a language degree combined with another discipline is highly valued as it develops both advanced communication skills and specialist knowledge, making graduates more adaptable and competitive in international careers.

Language students and graduates are highly sought after by employers who need staff to communicate effectively and deal with overseas contacts.

Languages train students to present coherent arguments and use evidence correctly - skills applicable to Law, Business, Journalism, or Tourism.

Language-focused careers: translation, interpreting, language teaching, bilingual customer support, publishing and media.

International & business careers: international trade, education, diplomacy and NGOs, tourism and hospitality.

Other strengthened fields: law (especially immigration/international), marketing and PR, journalism and content creation.