German AS/A Level

By the end of the A Level course in German, you will be able to have a conversation with a German speaker about a wide range of subjects. You will also be able to understand “authentic” German that is written for native speakers. At the same time, you will learn a lot about the culture and society of the German-speaking world.

The course is ideal if you enjoy learning about the cultures and societies of the German speaking world, if you like learning by doing and don’t mind giving things a go and taking risks.

You will study an AS Level in the first year of this course.

Lessons will feel very practical and interactive. The teacher will speak mainly in German in class, and you will quickly get used to talking in German. Assessment is by externally assessed oral and written examinations, with listening, reading, grammar translation tasks and essays.

What topics will I study?

You will learn German while learning about the culture and societies of the German-speaking world. We will look at current trends in German society, such as the changing attitudes towards the family, the impact of technology and multiculturalism in the German-speaking world.

The culture of Germany, Austria and Switzerland is another area of study. This involves learning about, for example festivals and traditions, German speaking music artists or architects. We will look at politics, as well as historical events such the Second World War and the fall of Berlin Wall.

We also study a film and a novel in detail. You will write essays about these, so you will learn about how to analyse camera angles or a character, for example, and express this in German.

In the second year, you will choose an aspect of the German-speaking world that you find interesting, and research this in preparation for your oral exam.

You will:

• Study highlights of German artistic culture
• Study a German film and a novel
• Work with authentic source material, including on line media, films and television programmes
• Explore an area of particular interest in the German speaking world in an individual research project
• Have the opportunity to take part in a cultural trip to Berlin

Assessment includes an oral examination and two written papers, including listening, reading, writing and translation.

What can I study alongside this course?

This course can be combined with others and goes particularly well with English Language, Business, Music, Art and Design, Film and Video, English Literature, Maths and all Sciences, Economics, Geography, Geology and, if you are a linguist, another language A Level.

Next steps: You could progress to study at university or find a job where you can use your language skills, which are in great demand. Languages are valued in many careers such as business, tourism, teaching, banking, politics, translation and interpreting, broadcasting and journalism.

You will need eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English Language and Maths).

You will also need a grade 6 or above in GCSE German. Other experience in German may be taken into account.

We normally offer practice with a German Language Assistant alongside class work. In our weekly IT suite session, we focus mainly on listening and research skills. A wide range of electronic and paper-based resources enable students to work independently. You will also have access to several Learning Resource Centres (LRCs), and there is a refectory in the Hele Building and in other areas of the College.

There are some costs of materials and resources.