German AS and A Level

Please make sure you have checked the entry requirements before submitting your application. Please also be aware that we use an Attainment 8 requirement for students choosing to do Science and Maths subjects. This is explained further on our website: https://www.taptonschool.co.uk/page/?title=Subjects&pid=69

We will use the message function to contact you about your application, so please keep an eye on this.

AS and A Level German provides a continuation of the 4 language skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing acquired at GCSE. A good level of linguistic ability is a marketable skill - a language is increasingly demanded in commerce, marketing, law, leisure and tourism, sales and engineering. Cultural and linguistic knowledge is extended throughout the study of two - chosen topics.

You will need a genuine love of languages, an enquiring mind, good time management, hard work and resilience.

Links with other subjects

Languages combine well with any subject, but especially English, Economics, Geography, Politics, Sociology and History. They also make an excellent contrast with Mathematics and Science based subjects.

Grammar

• Key verb tenses
• Nouns and determiners
• Adjectives and adverbs
• Prepositions
• Negation
• Model particles and discourse markers
• Clause structure and word order

Aspects of German-speaking society

• The changing state of the family
• The digital world
• Youth culture: Fashion and trends, music and television

Political and artistic culture

• Festivals and traditions
• Art and architecture
• Cultural life in Berlin past and present

Works: Literary texts and films

• Böll Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
• Brecht Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder
• Dürrenmatt Der Besuch der alten Dame
• Good bye Lenin!

A Level content of the course:

Aspects of Political Life in the German-Speaking World

• Germany and the European Union
• Politics and Youth
• German reunification and its consequences

Multiculturalism in German Speaking Society

• Immigration
• Integration
• Racism

A01 Understand and respond: in speech to spoken language including face-to-face interaction and in writing to spoken language drawn from a variety of sources. (20% at AS Level, 20% at A Level)

A02 Understand and respond: in speech to written language drawn from a variety of sources and in writing to written language drawn from a variety of sources. (30% at AS level and 30% of A Level)

A03 Manipulate the language accurately, in spoken and written forms, using a range of lexis and structure.(30% at AS level and 30% at A Level)

A04 Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically to, different aspects of the culture and society of countries/communities where the language is spoken. (20% at AS Level)

A04 (A Level) Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society of countires/communities where the language is spoken (20% at A level)

GCSE grade 6 in German.

Tapton School's minimum entry requirements for all students: Grade 5 in English Language or English Literature and four other GCSEs at Grade 4 and above including English Language and Maths.

Please note, to study four A Level subjects, you will need an Attainment 8 of 80+ (mainly grades 7, 8 and 9)

Languages are a good foundation subject for many degree courses across a wide range of subjects including Law, Business Studies, Economics, Social Policy, Philosophy, Social Sciences and Educational Studies. A languages degree is good preparation for a wide range of occupations; for example, journalism, marketing, personnel, public service, law, advertising, insurance or teaching.