A Level German

A Level German

Exam Board: AQA

This course will allow you to become truly fluent in your chosen language. You will learn about many interesting and unexpected aspects of the cultural heritage, history and politics of any country where your chosen language is spoken. You will also have the opportunity to study a film and a literary work in the target language. In studying a language you not only develop a deeper understanding of the language itself and the culture associated with it, you will also build a wide range of transferable skills, including problem-solving, independent research skills, how to analyse and synthesise ideas as well as, of course, outstanding communication skills.

Topics include:

Aspects of society in the countries where target language is spoken

• The changing state of the family

• The digital world

• Youth culture: fashion and trends, music, television

Artistic culture in the countries where target language is spoken

• Festivals and traditions

• Art and architecture

• Cultural heritage

Other topics throughout the whole course include immigration, racism, politics, the EU and country specific history.

Key Skills

At A Level, you will continue to develop all four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking in your chosen language.

You are expected to develop a mastery of the grammatical concepts of your chosen language

Furthermore at A Level you will be expected to develop the new skills of translation, both into French and into English.

How many exams: The AQA Languages A Level assessments consists of 2 externally examined papers and 1 NEA speaking assessment

Unit. Overview of Assessment Breakdown of marks

Paper 1:

Listening, Reading and Writing Listening, reading and writing paper, lasting 2 hours 30 minutes.

Section A: Listening and writing

Section B: Reading and writing

100 marks/ 50%

Paper 2: Writing Written examination, lasting 2 hours.

Students answer two essay questions in the target language: one about a novel and about a film.

80 marks/ 20%

Paper 3: Speaking exam Speaking exam, lasting 23 minutes

Part 1: Answer prepared questions on a stimulus card

Part 2: 2 minute presentation and 10 minutes of conversation questions on an Individual Research Project

60 marks/ 30%

6 or higher at GCSE in German.

This course leads to the A-Level qualification in Languages and, depending on results, entrance to university.

Careers

Job opportunities for competent linguists are numerous and diverse. From website designing to interpreting and from teaching to MI6 operations, global businesses - and those with global aspirations - think very highly of foreign language speakers, and are prepared to pay for them accordingly. On average, MFL graduates earn more than anyone else whilst often travelling the world.

An A Level qualification in languages could lead to a career where your language is used continually, such as in teaching, interpreting, translating, international business, sales or logistics. Language undergraduates are also a perfect fit for careers which prioritise excellent communication skills, for instance, Law or Journalism.

University Courses

A student who is successful at languages A Level could, of course, continue onto study MFL at undergraduate level at university.

University language courses can allow you to pick up a new language which you were unable to study at school or college.

It is also possible to combine some languages modules with another area of study in some universities, e.g. Chemistry with French or Business with German.

Links with other subjects

The A Level languages course enables you to learn about the history and the politics of countries where your chosen language is spoken. You are also expected to build an understanding of literary and film techniques as you study the film and literary work. Finally you can pick your own Independent Research Project for the speaking exam, so you can focus on any topic which interests you, as long as it is based in the target language culture.