German A level

Students will need to demonstrate an ability to study at least 3 A-level subjects by achieving an average of 38 points over 8 GCSEs with a Grade 4 at least in English and Mathematics. Students should gain a Grade 6 or above in subjects they wish to study at A Level. Points are worked out on the bases that a Grade 9 = 9 points, Grade 8 = 8 points etc.

Please check for subject specific requirements.

Please note, our preferred method of application is via https://wymondhamhigh.applicaa.com/year12

Germany has undergone seismic changes over the last century and any student of German is guaranteed a fascinating insight into the country which sits at the heart of Europe.
The language of Goethe, Kafka, Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, German is the most widely spoken first language in Europe. It is spoken across the continent; in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and even northern Italy, and Germany’s position as the third strongest economy in the world makes it the language of business. Furthermore, tourists from German-speaking countries travel far and wide, and are the world’s biggest spenders when on holiday. The ability to speak German, therefore, provides a real competitive advantage in the global employment market, as well as increased opportunities for travel and the chance for you to broaden your horizons.

The study of German provides intellectual stimulation and fulfilment, together with a platform for further study. German can be studied with a wide range of other subjects at university from Business Studies to Science. Furthermore, Germany is renowned for its prestigious higher education institutions offering students the opportunity to further their studies abroad. Germany is at the forefront of scientific advances and is the third largest contributor to research and development, often offering fellowships to foreign scientists. The A-level German course allows you to engage with current social issues in Germany, as well as artistic culture, film and literature, and aspects of political life in the German-speaking world. The programme of study will provide opportunities for independent research and access to a wide range of authentic sources across a variety of media. By the end of the two-year course, you will be able to speak quite fluently in a foreign language, an invaluable skill to employers, 30% of whom want employees specifically for their language skills.

CONTENT

ASPECTS OF GERMAN-SPEAKING SOCIETY
• The changing state of the family
• The digital world
• Youth culture: fashion and trends, music, television

MULTICULTURALISM IN GERMAN-SPEAKING SOCIETY
• Immigration
• Integration
• Racism

ARTISTIC CULTURE IN THE GERMAN-SPEAKING WORLD
• Festivals and traditions
• Art and architecture
• Cultural life in Berlin, past and present

ASPECTS OF POLITICAL LIFE IN THE GERMAN SPEAKING WORLD
• Germany and the European Union
• Politics and youth
• German re-unification and its consequences

FILM & LITERATURE
• Students must study one text and one film from a specified list

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT
• Identify a subject or key question which relates to a country where the language studied is spoken. These findings will be discussed during the speaking assessment.

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation, 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A-level.
Paper 2 : Writing, 2 hours, 30% of A-level.
Paper 3: Speaking, 21-23 minutes, 30% of A-level.

A minimum of a B or higher pass in German at GCSE (higher tier listening and reading paper).

Learning a language gives you the opportunity to travel and engage with new cultures.
• If you have mastered another language it says a lot about you; you are determined, culturally aware, hard-working, and articulate with the confidence to adapt to a new environment.
• A recent survey, conducted by the CBI in conjunction with Pearson Education, found that 62% of employers felt school leavers lacked sufficient language skills. This makes A-level linguists valuable commodities in a competitive employment market.
• 75% of the world population speak no English at all.
• 80% of English exporters are unable to conduct business in a foreign language and lose business as a result.
• There are health benefits to languages! A recent study, published in ‘Neurology’ found that speaking a second language may delay the onset of three different types of dementia.