An A Level in German opens the door to a wide range of opportunities. You will develop your communication and comprehension skills, broaden your understanding of German-speaking cultures and boost your employment options, both in the UK and across the world. The German course aims to train you speak and write the language with confidence, whilst encouraging you to explore key issues relevant to the German-speaking countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You will also study literature, film and traditions and will learn the core skills of translation and interpretation.

• A Level in German (AQA)
• Entry requirement: GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 6 or above
• Study visits offered to Germany

You will need to have a grade 6 or above at GCSE German. Students with a German background can be admitted without a GCSE in German, subject to a language test.

The skills you develop when studying A Level German are much sought after by employers, with German being named as the highest-paid foreign language on several websites. Language graduates also enjoy enhanced job prospects with 90% of university leavers finding employment within six months of graduating.

Careers with a degree in German include:

• Translating
• Teaching
• Publishing
• Travel Writing
• Web design
• Careers in museums and cultural centres

With a degree in German and International Business

• Accountancy
• Management
• Finance
• Marketing

• A German-English dictionary
• Grammar book (advice will be given by subject staff)
• A DVD of Wolfgang Becker’s “Good-bye, Lenin!” (German with English subtitles)

The course will develop your skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking and develop translation and essay writing skills through a wide range of topics.

First Year:

Family relationships, youth culture, festivals and traditions, art and architecture, the history of Berlin and Berlin as a multicultural city

Cultural topic (film): Wolfgang Becker, “Good-bye, Lenin!”

Second Year:

Immigration and integration, young people and politics, Germany and the EU, German reunification

Cultural topic (book/play): Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Der Besuch der alten Dame

Examinations at the end of Year 2:

Paper 1 Listening, Reading and Translation (50%)

Paper 2 Writing – two cultural essays, one on the film and one of the play (20%)

Paper 3 Speaking: Part 1 discussion of a sub-theme based on a stimulus card; Part 2: presentation and discussion of an Independent Research Project (30%)

If you are interested in languages and communication, and enjoy learning about other cultures and ways of life, then Modern Foreign Language (MFL) courses could be an enjoyable part of your studies. Similarly, if you are interested in the business world, in travel or tourism, or in journalism and the media, then you are also likely to find the courses appropriate. There are a number of options in the courses where you can choose a topic to suit your interests. Whether you want to use the language for work, further study, training or leisure, these courses will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge. Many of our students study more than one language and a large number continue languages at university.Every language you learn will open doors to a world of exciting opportunities, allow you to tap into new networks, and enrich your education.

The specification has been designed to be studied over two years. The suggestions below relating to content for year one and content for year two are based on the knowledge that the course will generally be taken over two years. Schools and colleges are free to choose how and when to cover the content.

AQA – A Level German