| Overview | The A level German course aims to provide a logical progression from GCSE, developing and extending the main four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing at AS level. Both at AS and particularly at A2 level, research skills are developed to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of German culture. |
| Examination board | The Sixth Form German course at Queen Elizabeth’s follows the EDEXCEL specification. Full details of the specification and additional support materials can be accessed here. |
Unit 1 - Spoken Expression & response in Target Language Examination to be taken in May of Year 12 | This AS unit consists of two parts. In part A, students converse in German on a topic area chosen in advance. In part B, students are required to discuss further aspects of the chosen topic area. Students choose from: - Youth culture and concerns
- Lifestyle: health and fitness
- The world around us: travel, tourism, environmental issues
- Education and employment
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Unit 2 - Understanding & Written Response in Target Language Examination to be taken in June of Year 12 | This AS unit consists of listening, reading and writing skills based on the four topic areas as in Unit 1. The skills required are retrieving and conveying information from recorded and printed materials as well as writing a letter, report or article in German. |
Unit 3 - Understanding & Spoken Response in Target Language Examination to be taken in May of Year 13 | This A2 unit students adopt a definite stance on a chosen issue which they have to defend and justify in an ensuing discussion with the teacher/examiner. This is followed by a spontaneous discussion on further unprepared topics. |
Unit 4 - Research, Understanding & Written Response in Target Language Examination to be taken in June of Year 13 | This A2 unit requires students to demonstrate skills in translating from English into German, writing a discursive or creative essay on one of the prescribed topic areas, and writing a research-based essay linked to an area of interest to the student that relates to the culture/society of a German-language country. Students choose from: - Youth culture and concerns
- Lifestyle: health and fitness
- The world around us: travel, tourism, environmental issues
- Education and employment
- Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions
- National and international events: past, present and future
- Literature and the arts
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| Course support & enrichment at QE | The department is well-resourced. We follow the textbook course BRENNPUNKT and supplement it with a variety of additional materials in all skill areas. We have an extensive video library, access to Satellite TV, a language laboratory, a language assistant, a selection of relevant German magazines, and an extensive library of research materials for all topics covered for As and A2 and beyond.The leaning resources on the school’s intranet for German As and A2 have been developed extensively and are constantly reviewed and expanded. Students have access to an extensive resource catalogue online which gives them a comprehensive insight into which books/videos/DVDs/audio-cassettes are available to them for wider studies. We also offer a 10-day work experience exchange programme for Year 12 and an annual study trip, alternating between Berlin and Munich/Salzburg for Year 12 and 13. |
| Progression from A-level German | The opportunities on offer for students with German A-level are numerous, not least the prospect of studying for a degree in the language or a combined degree with another subject such as law, business studies, economics, computing, accounting and international management. Popular career choices for these graduates include: - Solicitor or Barrister operating from UK in German-speaking countries
- Business and Financial professionals such as Accountants, City Traders, Bankers
- Journalist
- Teacher or Lecturer
- Commercial and/or Industrial Managers
- Marketing
www.languageswork.org.uk is an excellent site to get information on career opportunities with languages. |
Recommended wider reading This is particularly important for those considering further study beyond A-level | - Authentik – a magazine purchased by students via school
- School Learning Resource German A2: Reading comprehension exercises with interactive answers in topic areas
- School Learning Resource German A2: All German linked sites for news, all background info on various topics and general wider reading
- School Learning Resource German A2: All German linked sites for grammar and grammar reference books
- Literature: a wide range of German literature, classical (Goethe, Schiller, Lessing, Fontane) to modern (Frisch, Duerrenmatt, Brecht, Kafka etc) in department available for loan
- www.gutenberg.de for access to a wide range of German literature which can be printed off the net
- History: a wide range of German history books in department available for loan: e.g. Die grosse Flucht / Der 17. Juni 1953/ Deutschland nach der Wende
- Art: a wide range of German books on art/architecture in department available for loan: Der Blaue Reiter/ Bauhaus etc
- World news relevant to Germany in serious British press
- German press online: www.spiegel.de, www.sueddeutsche.de, www.faz.de are excellent magazines/papers to read
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