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Head of Department
Mrs K Waters
Why choose the subject?
Globalisation, the ease of international travel and technology are bringing more of the world within our reach and the ability to communicate as well as understand and appreciate different cultures is an invaluable skill which is highly valued by employers. The A level German course allows you to develop an advanced level knowledge and understanding of the German language, the culture of Germany as well as many transferable study skills. Languages combine well with virtually any subject for further study. The range of combined degrees and further education courses involving a language is limitless – from Accountancy with Russian to Theatre Studies with Italian.
Who is eligible?
GCSE grade 6 or above is the minimum requirement.
Qualification Type: A Level only (2 year)
Specification: Year 2024/2026 Advanced Level Examination Board: Edexcel
Theme 1: Gesellschaftliche Entwicklung in Deutschland
Theme 1 is set in the context of Germany only. • Natur und Umwelt • Bildung • Die Welt der Arbeit
Theme 2: Politische und künstlerische Kultur im deutschen Sprachraum Theme 2 is set in the context of German-speaking countries and communities. • Musik • Die Medien • Die Rolle von Festen und Traditionen
Theme 3: Immigration und die deutsche multikulturelle Gesellschaft
Theme 3 is set in the context of Germany only. • Integration und Multikulturalismus, • Die wirtschaftliche und soziale Auswirkungen von Immigration
Theme 4: Die Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands
Theme 4 is set in the context of Germany only. • Die Gesellschaft in der DDR vor der Wiedervereinigung • Deutschland seit der Wiedervereinigung
Paper 1. Listening, reading and translation
Written examination: 2 hours – 40% of qualification (80 marks.)
Section A: Listening (30 marks) This section will be made up of spoken passages covering different registers and types, including authentic communication involving male and female speakers. Sources will include material from online media.
Section B: Reading (30 marks) The reading section will be made up of texts containing both factual and abstract content and will be authentic or adapted from authentic sources. The texts will include contemporary, historical, literary, fiction and non-fiction, written for different purposes and audiences.
Section C: Translation into English (20 marks)
The content for the translation will be taken from one of the four themes.
Paper 2. Written response to works and translation
Written examination: 2 hours and 40 minutes – 30% of qualification (120 marks)
Section A: Translation into TL (20 marks) Students are given an unseen text in English to translate into German.
Section B: Written response to works (literary texts) (50 marks)
Section C: Written response to works (films) (50 marks)
Candidates must write an extended response in German on either one literary text and a film or two literary texts from the prescribed literary texts and films. There will be a choice of two questions for each literary text and film. Students will give a critical and analytical response by selecting relevant material from the works. Candidates will be expected to present and justify points of view, develop arguments, draw conclusions based on understanding and evaluate issues, themes and cultural and social contexts related to the works studied. Candidates can write 300-350 words although all the essay will be marked regardless of length.
Paper 3: Speaking
Internally conducted and externally assessed – 30% of the qualification (72 marks)
Total assessment time: between 27 and 30 minutes, which includes 15 minutes of formal preparation time.
Task 1 – discussion on a theme based on a stimulus containing two different statements
Task 2 part 1 – independent research presentation, a summary of at least two of the written sources they have used for their research.
Task 2 part 2 – discussion on their independent research topic
Learning a language to a high standard is an enriching activity; developing academic rigour, attention to detail, sensitivity to nuance, developing thinking skills and improving communication skills.
British students who speak a foreign language to this standard are increasingly rare. An A-Level in a foreign language will often give you an advantage in the jobs market. Universities look upon a foreign language at a good grade as indicative of academic ambition and ability. Foreign languages complement many other subjects and a number of students have successfully combined them with the sciences recently. They are available at many universities as an accompaniment to other, unrelated, subjects.
They are important in their own right, giving you the ability to communicate with other people in Europe, to appreciate other cultures and to widen your horizons. They will accompany through your life and be your flexible friend, surprising you throughout life with their usefulness.
This course is commonly studied with:
As an A-Level subject, German complements several other A-Level courses, including French, Spanish, biology, English, computer science and design technology.
Future Careers:
Translation, business, writing, teaching, diplomatic service officer, international aid worker.