German (Edexcel)
This course caters for students who have achieved a grade C or above pass at GCSE in German. Students are encouraged to develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as well as study aspects of life and culture in the countries where German is spoken. Students will need to broaden their vocabulary and grammatical knowledge to consolidate their understanding of the language through structured exercises and tasks. Visits to Germany and Austria are encouraged as well as individual research for the oral presentation.
Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including GCSE German (higher level) or equivalent.
Course Content
AS Unit 1: Spoken Expression and Response in German 8-10 min exam
Students must choose one of the following general topic areas in advance and discuss orally.
• Youth culture and concerns
• Lifestyle: health and fitness
• The world around us: travel, tourism, enviromental issues
• Education and employment.
AS Unit 2: Understanding and Written Response in German
2 hr 30 mins exam based on the same topic areas as unit 1
Section A requires students to listen to a range of authentic recorded German language
material and to answer questions.
Section B requires students to read authentic German-language printed materials and to answer questions
Section C requires students to write 200-220 words in the form of letter, report or article in German based on a short printed German-language stimulus.
A2 Unit 3: Understanding and Spoken Response in German 11-13 minutes
This unit requires students to demonstrate the effectiveness of their oral skills by presenting and taking a clear stance on any issue of their choice. They will be expected to use the language of debate and argument to discuss the issue and will also be assessed for understanding as well as communication and quality of spoken language.
A2 Unit 4: Research, Understanding and Written Response in German
2 hr 30 mins exam
General topic areas (same as Unit 1) plus
• Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions
• National and international events: past, present and future
• Literature and the arts
Section A - A short written translation exercise to test students' ability to transfer meaning from English into German effectively.
Section B - A German-language essay in response to one from a choice of seven questions, linked to the prescribed general topic areas, that invite either discursive or creative writing.
Section C - A research-based essay in German (240-270 words) to reward students for German-language research skills linked to an area of interest to the student that relates to the culture and/or society of a German-language country, countries or community.