German
You will learn about German culture through learning the intricacies of the language, reading novels and plays and watching films. It will give you the chance to really understand what it is like to be a young person in a German-speaking country and will give you the opportunity to learn more about how languages can support your future career.
Exam Board
Edexcel
What Skills Do I Need?
You must have a GCSE in German at Grade 6 or above. You must also have a good grasp of English (Level 5 or above). You must also have an interest in Germany and German-speaking countries.
Exams and Assessment
Paper 1 – Listening, Reading and Translation
You will draw on vocabulary and structures learnt throughout the course based on the society and culture of Germany and German-speaking countries.
Paper 2 – Written response to works and translation
You will be required to translate a previously unseen passage from English into German and draw on the study of one German text (e.g. play or novel) or film.
Paper 3 – Speaking
You will be required to read and respond to short texts on German society and on political and artistic culture in Germany.
Why Choose A Level German?
First and foremost because it’s fun! German culture and language is really interesting and will open your mind. In addition, a foreign language is widely considered to be a rigorously academic subject and is also favoured by higher education institutions for the communication skills that it helps students to develop. An A level in a foreign language can give you an invaluable linguistic base on which to build your fluency. Employers prefer candidates who already have a language qualification, as it saves them money on training and also gives you a proven track record. Critical thinking skills also improve as you learn to see the world through a different cultural perspective so learning a second language actually stimulates your creative streak too!
