YEAR 9

On arriving in year 9 some students will begin learning German and the KS3 curriculum has been created to enable students to develop skills and linguistic competence within a range of common topic areas, beginning with the basics. Students are taught in mixed ability groups and assessed in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as given an insight into the German culture.  We strongly believe that despite only starting the language in year 9, students are well-equipped to succeed at GCSE, if they choose to continue the subject.

GCSE

The AQA GCSE course aims to develop the ability to understand and use German effectively for purposes of practical communication and to develop an understanding of the grammar required.

Students will study the following themes, on which all the assessments are based:

Theme 1 Identity and Culture, which includes family and friends, technology and free-time activities.

Theme 2 Local, national, international and global areas of interest which includes local area, global and social issues, and travel and tourism.

Theme 3 Current and future study and employment, which includes studies, life at school and future career plans.

ASSESSMENT: GCSE

The examinations (at the end of year 11) will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives.

• AO1: Listening – understand and respond to different types of spoken language.
• AO2: Speaking – communicate and interact effectively in speech.
• AO3: Reading – understand and respond to different types of written language.
• AO4: Writing – communicate in writing.

A level

The AQA German A level course builds on positive attitudes to language learning and develops confidence, spontaneity and competence in communication, whilst promoting knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues.

Assessment at A level:

The assessments which take place at the end of year 13 consist of: 

Paper 1 Listening, reading and translation into English and German, worth 30% of A level

Paper 2 Writing about the film and the book or play, worth 30% of A level 

Paper 3 Speaking about a theme and about an individual research project, worth 30% of A level.

Students will undertake an individual research project in Year 13, which they will present and discuss during the speaking assessment.

The text and film studied at A level are Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum and Goodbye Lenin.