Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary GCE German

Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary GCE German

Entry Requirements

Experience has shown that students considering German at this level should achieve at least a B at GCSE.

About the Course
Studying German at advanced or advanced subsidiary level will enable you to develop the 4 language skills acquired at GCSE (listening, reading, speaking, writing) to a considerably higher standard. Indeed, our aim is that you will become a competent and confident communicator in German, and knowledgeable about contemporary Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Learning German can also enhance your employment prospects, facilitate foreign travel and prepare you for studying the language at university, if you so wish.

The AS course will be taught in specialist language rooms over 5 hours per week. While developing your language skills, we will deal with and extend topics familiar in Years 10 and 11, such as daily life, sport and holidays, and introduce more advanced topics such as the media, advertising and human interest news items. The grammar essential for speaking and writing accurate German will be introduced and thoroughly practised.

The A2 course will further develop the language skills through more complex contemporary issues such as social issues, politics and the environment. You will also study two cultural topics.

You will experience a variety of approaches to acquiring linguistic competence, and you will be expected to work independently at times. You will make regular use of the self-study facilities available, including audio and video work, film and reading library, and IT facilities, including CD ROM and Internet. To enhance your fluency, class activities will invariably be conducted in German. You will also have the opportunity to visit Germany through a study visit to Berlin.

The AS and the A2 assessments will each consist of two examinations, which are as follows:

Unit 1 (AS) Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hours)

Unit 2 (AS) Speaking (15 minutes)

Unit 3 (A2) Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hours 30 minutes)

Unit 4 (A2) Speaking (15 minutes)