German

German (AQA 7661/7662)

Germany is considered to be the European Union’s economic powerhouse and as Germany continues to dominate European politics, now is a fascinating as well as sensible time to learn all about its language and culture. Apart from the obvious benefit of being able to communicate in a different language, the practicalities of studying a language will help improve your communication and critical thinking skills and have a positive impact on your other studies.

What will I study?

• Component 1 | Social Issues and Trends

Students will study current trends and issues in relation to at least one German-speaking country including the changing state of the family, the digital world and youth culture.

A Level only: Immigration, integration and racism.

• Component 2 | Political and Artistic culture

Students must study ‘The cultural life of Berlin’ in relation to Berlin. They will then study the following in relation to at least one German- speaking country: Festivals and traditions, art and architecture, politics and youth.

A Level only: Students must study Germany and the EU and German re-unification and its consequences in relation to Germany. Also politics and youth. • Component 3 | Set Works

AS Level: Students must study either one text or one film from a supplied list of set works. A Level: Students must study either one text and one film or two texts from a supplied list of set works.

• Component 4 | Individual Research Project (A

Level only)

Students must identify a subject or a key question which is of interest to them and which relates to a country or countries where German is spoken. They must select relevant information in German from a range of sources including the internet. The aim of the research project is to develop research skills.

Students will demonstrate their ability to initiate and conduct individual research by analysing and summarising their findings, in order to present and discuss them in the speaking assessment. • Grammar: For both AS and A Level students will be expected to study the grammatical system and structures of the language during their course. Knowledge of the grammar and structures specified for GCSE is assumed.

Future career options | Studying a modern language at A Level can help you on your way to a specific languages career such as interpreter, translator and teacher. However, most employers are keen to see a modern language as an integral part of a student’s A Level portfolio. A large number of our A Level students continue with languages at university, specialising in a language-related degree. Good subject combinations | Studying English or another foreign language could be an advantage. Students have combined their languages with Mathematics, Sciences, History, English, Textiles, Sociology, Psychology and Business Studies. Entry requirements | Ideally students will have achieved GCSE German at grade 9-7.

How will I be assessed?

Year One Assessment Content

Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing

Paper 2: Writing Listening and responding to spoken passages from a range of contexts. Reading and responding to a variety of texts written for different purposes. Translation into English (minimum 70 word passage) Translation into German (minimum 70 word passage) Either one question in German on a set text from a choice of two questions or one question in German on a set film from a choice of two questions.

Paper 3: Speaking Discussion of two sub-themes (6-7 minutes on each) with the discussion based on a stimulus card for each sub-theme. Details

Written exam: one hour, 45 minutes. 90 marks (45% of AS Level).

Written exam: one hour, 30 minutes. 50 marks (25% of AS Level).

Oral exam: 12-14 minutes. 60 marks (30% of AS Level)

Year Two Assessment Content

Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing Listening and responding to spoken passages from a range of contexts. Reading and responding to a variety of texts written for different purposes. Translation into English Translation into German (minimum 100 word passages for each)

Paper 2: Writing Either one question in German on a set text from a choice of two and one question in German on a set film from a choice of two OR two questions in German on set texts from a choice of two on each text.

Paper 3: Speaking Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5-6 minutes). Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9-10 minutes) of Individual Research Project. Oral exam: 21–23 minutes. 60 marks (30% of A Level).

Details

Written exam: two hours, 30 minutes. 100 marks (50% of A Level).

Written exam: two hours. 80 marks (20% of A Level).