German

After Medicine, the employment prospects for graduates with German are higher than for almost any other subject – including other languages.  German can be combined with over 60 subjects at degree level ranging from Accountancy and History to Philosophy and Physics. Universities look for ‘A’ level languages in candidates in all subjects with foreign languages, so that they can take part in undergraduate exchange programmes; many of these are with German universities. In terms of the ratio of applicants to places, German is one of the easier subjects to get into at Oxford or Cambridge.  Learning German is an ideal way for students to demonstrate the school’s vision of aspiration, kindness and most of all resilience as these attributes lie at the very heart of learning a modern language. Increased proficiency in a language offers a valuable insight into different and new cultures, engenders curiosity and a broader global perspective, enables problem solving and improved communication skills and leads to a greater understanding of one’s own culture. 

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Half of the students in KS3 study German in addition to French. The curriculum has been created to support the overall aims of the Languages department, namely to encourage language learners to develop the skills to advance into the wider world and to continue to develop students so that they are confident with their use of language and are well prepared for the rigour of Key Stage 4 and beyond. Emphasis is placed on each of the four key skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) with students also encouraged to regularly review their notes as a ‘little and often’ approach is the best way to acquire mastery in a language.

Topics covered include:

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11 GCSE)

Students study the AQA (9-1) German Specification at GCSE.  Each of the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are assessed. 

Students receive the support of a German Language Assistant for the oral component of the course with the oral exam itself being examined by the class teacher. Each skill is equally weighted at 25%.

Classroom atmosphere is supportive and students should be happy to experiment with language and have a go. Similarities between global citizens are stressed alongside linguistic and cultural differences.

Topics studied include:

GCSE German Specification

Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13 A Level)

Students are required to have gained at least a grade 6 in German GCSE to be eligible to take this course at A Level

Students follow the AQA German A Level Course. The course is based around speaking and understanding the language and culture of modern Germany. The course is designed to enable students to communicate confidently in writing and orally about current affairs, recent history from the fall of the Berlin wall, and culture, which includes watching films and reading contemporary literature.

Students sit three papers as follows:

• Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing - 50%
• Paper 2: Writing - 20%
• Paper 3: Speaking - 30%

Topics of study are as follows: 

A Level German Specification

Co-curricular activities

• Language Exchange to partner school in Bensheim Year 9
• Lunchtime languages club
• Film Study Day at the BFI
• National Debating Competition at the Goethe Institute
• Leipzig trip Year 12/13