German Post 16

German

Entry Guidance:

5 GCSEs at grades A* to C or equivalent  including a minimum of Grade B in GCSE German.  This course will only run if a sufficient number of students express an interest.

Syllabus Outline:

Whereas GCSE German deals with the language of the tourist, at AS/A-level German becomes the medium through which students learn about and discuss issues which affect young people today.  The topics studies are as follows:

AS

a)	Leisure and Lifestyles, including travel and tourism, sport, hobbies, entertainment, customs, traditions, healthy living – health and nutrition, diet and exercise; unhealthy living – drugs, AIDS, smoking, alcohol etc.
b)	The Individual and Society, including relationships and responsibilities, gender issues, youth culture (values, peer groups, fashions and trends etc.), education, vocational training and future careers.

A Level

c)	Environmental Issues, including pollution, global warming, transport, energy, nuclear energy, renewable energies, conservation, recycling, sustainability.
d)	Social and Political Issues, including the EU, multi-culturalism, racism, immigration, social exclusion and integration, terrorism, world of work (employment, commerce, globalisation, minimum wage, single European market, euro etc.)

Students learn to extract information from authentic sources, such as the Internet. They also learn to analyse and give their own opinions and regular, lively debate is a feature of the course.

Language tasks include translation, reading comprehension, essay writing in German, oral work, various exercises based on manipulation of the language, and listening comprehension using a wide variety of courses, such as advertisements, songs, films, interviews and news bulletins.

Methods of Assessment:

The AS course will comprise units of assessment in the form of end of course examination. These units will test the skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing through a variety of tasks. As well as examination in the skills already tested at AS level, the A-level course will include a guided studies option: a region of Germany or the World of Cinema or the World of Literature.

General Comments:

Studying German at AS or A-level offers an exciting opportunity for students to develop an invaluable skill whilst learning more about the people and culture of the countries of the German-speaking world. The subject is a highly regarded academic qualification which can open the door to many careers or Higher and Further Education opportunities. Indeed, far from being solely for those wishing to specialise in languages, the subject provides an excellent additional skill for any career path. Given the serious shortage of linguists in the UK at present, an AS/A-level qualification in a foreign language could give job seekers a clear advantage.

Throughout the course students are encouraged to have as much contact with Germany and the German-speaking world as possible. This includes a fortnightly conversation class with the native Language Assistant. Students should also aim to spend some time in Germany.