Sixth Form Handbook 2022-24

GERMAN

Course content and structure Although the disciplines associated with this subject are the same as GCSE - Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and the study of grammar - the A-Level course offers you a broad, “liberal arts” education. You will learn about the current trends, social issues, history, politics, art, literature and film of Germany and Austria. The study of German will broaden your mind and the subject links well to English, History, Politics and Geography A-Levels, whilst offering a refreshing blast of culture for those studying Maths and Science. German A-Level is a taster of what you can expect to study if you choose a Modern Languages degree at university. Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing (2.5 hours, 50% of the A-Level) This consists of passages of audio and written language, to which you respond by answering written questions in German. You will also translate two passages of 100 words, one into German, one into English. This paper demands a written essay on each of the two works studied, a film and a novel. All questions require a critical and analytical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered and of features such as the form and the technique of presentation, e.g. the effect of the narrative voice in the novel, or camera work in the film. Both the film and the book are chosen to link in with the social issues studied and past pupils will tell you that this is one of the most enjoyable elements of German A-Level studies. Paper 3 - Speaking (20 minutes, 30% of the A-Level) Pupils undertake an individual research project from Paper 2 - Writing (2 hours, 20% of the A-Level)

one of four sub-themes, i.e. aspects of German- speaking society, current trends or current issues, artistic culture in the French-speaking world or aspects of political life. Pupils present their research and discuss their findings with the examiner. In addition, pupils prepare a stimulus card based on one of the themes above, discussed for a further five minutes. What pupils need to learn At A-Level, pupils build on the strong basis that they will have already achieved at GCSE. In addition to an excellent command of grammar and linguistic structures, an interest in current affairs and a curiosity about the wider world are vital to the enjoyment of German A-Level. We teach pupils vocabulary from a wide range of authentic resources so that they are able to debate a variety of issues, both orally and in writing, and understand written and aural material. We also encourage pupils to see German films, read widely, research areas of interest and speak German Every year, A-Level pupils are offered the opportunity of a week’s immersion course in Berlin or Munich, when pupils stay with local families and study German every morning. We also strongly encourage our A-Level candidates to spend part of their holidays in a country where German is spoken. Throughout the A-Level course, pupils will be offered the chance to view a range of films, access library resources and attend short courses. In addition, the Internet provides us with limitless access to French current affairs, resources for languages learners and podcasts of interviews and news items to keep abreast of topical issues in the target language. whenever possible. Other notes

University and careers links The specification is designed to provide a suitable foundation for the study of the subject or related courses in further and higher education. Opportunities to study German at a top university have never been so abundant and A-Level Germanists are in demand. Languages are important in almost all careers in our global society and universities view languages as being some of the more rigorous and intellectually demanding subjects at A-Level. Germany has a strong economy and is Britain’s biggest trading partners - speakers of German are in high demand by British companies.

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