German A Level

German A Level

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German

A Level                                                              Exam Board: Edexcel

Entrance requirements:

Candidates for A Level German need at least a grade 7 at GCSE.

Higher Education and Career:

There are a large number of degree courses which involve the study of German. The subject can be studied on its own or in conjunction with another language and it is often linked to courses in Law, European Studies or Business Affairs. Since language learning is a skill in itself, the study of German at A Level is also a good springboard to studying more exotic languages at University such as Mandarin, Russian or Arabic.

Even if your chosen degree course is not languages based, having a language at A Level can open up opportunities for spending some of your studies abroad. Similarly, languages are, of course, also a useful asset in a vast range of careers and professions. There are many interesting and well paid careers available to fluent Germanists, including Banking, Accountancy, Law, Insurance, Publishing, Translation and the Civil Service.

There are a number of career opportunities in Europe for German students, notably in the finance centre of Frankfurt, the German Parliament in Berlin and the European Commission in Strasbourg and Brussels. Having a foreign language at your disposal can bring you into the frame for jobs abroad, thus considerably widening your eligibility for employment. 

As with all Modern European Languages, the advanced study of German is evidence to future employers that you are an individual that is willing to look beyond cultural boundaries and interact with different kinds of people.

What will the lessons be like?

Pupils quickly start to move away from familiar GCSE territory and into topic areas which are of genuine interest and importance to them. There is an emphasis on using the target language so that pupils gain in confidence in their spoken German. Pupils will need to strive for grammatical accuracy as well as get to grips with a range of new syntax and idiom. They will also have the opportunity to have weekly lessons with a German assistant.

The course is covered through the use of a modern textbook which includes inspiring digital resources in conjunction with authentic materials from radio, television, the internet, newspapers and magazines.

The course structure includes four engaging themes studied alongside two works, one literary text and one film.

  1. Gesellschaftliche Entwicklung in Deutschland
  2. Politische und kuenstlerische Kultur im deutschen Sprachraum
  3. Immigration und die deutsche multikulturelle Gesellschaft
  4. Die Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands

Am I expected to go to Germany as part of the course?

Yes. It is assumed that those taking A Level German will be willing to spend a useful period of time in a country where the language is spoken. Typically this takes place during the Lower Sixth and all pupils will be strongly encouraged to participate in the exciting new exchange programme involving a week in Bavaria in July and a return visit from the German pupils in March.

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