German

Course summary

This A Level covers a range of social and cultural topics that relate to the countries where German is spoken, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, festivals & traditions plus reunification and music/fashion and art & architecture, as well as the study of Berlin. It is a diverse course with links to humanities, current affairs and world events. We also offer a residential trip to Berlin which links closely to the topics and the film we study. You will be using a range of skills to study both these topics and the film Goodbye, Lenin! as well as the play Andorra. As a research project in your second year, you will be able to choose a topic related to a German-speaking country to discuss in your speaking exam. Weekly speaking sessions with a native speaker will help build up your confidence and improve your fluency. Lessons will be varied and stimulating, taught by a highly qualified teacher with a strong emphasis on communication. You will also have access to extensive support materials, both online and in the form of topic booklets. The course includes a lively weekly conversation class with the Foreign Language Assistant. Topic booklets, textbooks and handouts, based on the AQA recommended texts and materials, are issued throughout the course to every student. You will study social change and cultural aspects of countries where the language is spoken, looking at areas such as family, technology, immigration & racism and topics relevant to these countries. You will also study highlights of the artistic culture of Germany, including music and fashion, and learn about political engagement in the countries where the language is spoken. In addition, you will explore the influence of the past on present-day communities. Throughout your studies, you will learn the language in the context of the country and the issues and influences which have shaped it. You will study a text and a film and will have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of your choice.