German

AQA

AS/A-level German is an exciting and wide-ranging course which gives you the chance to develop your language skills to a higher level. It can be combined with almost any subjects. Both arts and science-based students take German each year. Studying a language beyond GCSE provides an excellent opportunity to develop your communication skills – both in speaking and writing.

Studying in a department rated nationally “outstanding” by Ofsted, the varied classes quickly develop a friendly atmosphere and strong sense of identity. In every lesson you will take part in many different activities: for example, watching or listening to news items, studying written passages, working on role plays or other speaking tasks.

During the first year, the aim is to develop your confidence and ability to communicate, particularly when speaking. But don’t be afraid as plenty of support and encouragement is on hand. During the two years of an A-level course you will have multiple opportunities to take part in events outside lessons. You will be able to attend a student conference in London for AS and A2 German, led by native speakers, which is always an interactive and ‘hands on’ day. The College has strong links with the North Walsham/Friesenried Twinning Association which means an opportunity to go to Bavaria and stay with a German family every other year.

We run regular visits to Cinema City to see German films as part of the course and UEA invites us to languages days. Last year a group went on a ‘taster’ languages day and enjoyed the chance to speak some Japanese and Russian.

Qualifications in languages are very well regarded by both universities and employers and an A-level language will look particularly good on your CV, whatever your career goals may be. Past Paston languages students have gone on to study German with other languages like French or Russian.

Taking German with another subject such as Engineering is a popular option. Universities look favourably at students who are able to do a language alongside another subject. Our AS students this year are keen to take part in the Erasmus Course when they get to university, which means they will be able to study in Germany for part of their degree.

AS German

At AS you will continue to develop the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing through the study of four main topic areas.

The Media: Television, radio, internet, the press, advertising. You will look at the importance of the media in our daily lives and consider the advantages and possible dangers of TV and the internet. You will think about how advertisements are created and their ‘hidden’ messages and look at examples of the German press.

Popular Culture: Cinema, fashion, music. You will study examples of German films and watch some trailers on ‘YouTube’, analyse what your clothes and musical tastes say about you and listen to a selection of German music from the last 20 years.

Health and Well-Being: As well as discussing how to lead a healthy life through exercise and eating a wellbalanced diet, you will look at things which are bad for your health including drugs, tobacco and alcohol. You will also consider the importance of holidays and whether tourism is always a good thing for poor countries.

Family and Relationships: You will talk about how important the family is today, the alternatives to marriage, how children are affected by divorce, whether gay couples should adopt children and the importance of your friends.

Assessment

One written examination and one oral examination.

Entry requirements

A minimum of BBCCC grades at GCSE including English/English Language and Mathematics or a science and a B in German.

A2 German

In this course you will move on to higher level language skills through the study of the following present-day issues:

The Environment: You will investigate the causes of pollution and how to improve the environment, you will consider the arguments for and against nuclear power, and find out about the conservation of wildlife and groups, such as Friends of the Earth, who are trying to save the planet.

The Multi-Racial Society: You will look at examples of racism and how it can be addressed, consider issues relating to immigration in Germany and Britain and discuss the benefits of a multiracial society.

Technological Progress: This covers areas such as GM foods, cloning, transplants, the ethics of animal experiments and wider consideration of the benefits and dangers of scientific research.

In addition you will study two Cultural Topics which give a more detailed insight into German culture. Choices for next year include Damals war es Friedrich, a novel by Hans Peter Richter which tells the story of a friendship between a Jew and a non Jew during the rise of Nazism, and a film, Goodbye Lenin, which takes a humorous look at the reunification of Germany.

Assessment

One written exam and one oral examination.