German

Course summary

Studying German at A-Level enables students to develop the knowledge gained at GCSE, developing a lasting appreciation of language, and language learning. The course focuses on how German-speaking society has been shaped, both socially and culturally, and how it continues to change. It will allow pupils to communicate confidently for a variety of different purposes, and give an insight into cultures, both contemporary and historic, and valuable skills for foreign travel, further education, and future employment. During the first year, you will develop your language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the study of a range of contemporary topics such as ‘Familie im Wandel, ‘Die digitale Welt, ‘Jugendkultur: Mode, Musik und Fernsehen’ as well as a range of topics that discuss the artistic culture in the German-speaking world such as ‘Feste und Traditionen’ and ‘Kunst und Architektur’. Your course will include an in-depth study of German grammar with translation to and from the target language. You will also study the German literary text ‘Der Besuch der alten Dame’ by Bernhard Schlink. In year 2, you will continue to develop... your language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the study of a range of topics such as ‘Einwanderung’, ‘Integration’, and ‘Rassismus’ as well as much study and research around aspects of political life in the German-speaking world e.g., ‘Deutschland und die Europäische Union’ and ‘Die Politik die Jugend’. You will also continue to study your German literary text as well as the German film ‘Das Leben der Anderen’. Activities will include listening to a range of spoken texts and reading a wide variety of texts, in-depth study of more advanced grammar with translation to and from German, pair and class discussion as well as writing critical and analytical essays on the film and the text that you have studied.