German
From Mann to Murnau, Brecht to Bauhaus
At RIC, our German GCSE and A level courses are your gateway to mastering the language and diving deep into the rich cultural tapestry of German-speaking countries. Imagine yourself dissecting the profound themes of iconic films like Goodbye Lenin! and exploring the literary brilliance of Hesse and Kafka.
Our courses delve into the multicultural and ever-evolving nature of German society. You'll be fascinated by the study of artistic achievements in German-speaking countries, from stunning architectural feats to influential art movements. Furthermore, you’ll gain insights into Germany's dynamic political landscape and its historical roots.
With a broad range of topics, you have the chance to focus on what intrigues you most—be it music, theology, history, or philosophy. Assessments are designed to be varied and engaging, covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
At GCSE German is only offered as an after school extra subject. At A level it can be taken as a normal A level choice.
Like all Modern Foreign Languages at RIC the A level qualification can also be taken by native speakers on accelerated courses.
Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.
Exam Specifications
Assessment
100% exams, no coursework. Breakdown of unit content and tasks
Paper 1- Listening, reading and writing
Written exam- 2 hour 30 minutes; 50% of qualification
What’s assessed-
Aspects of German-speaking society
Artistic culture in the German-speaking world
Multiculturalism in German-speaking society
spects of political life in German-speaking society
Grammar questions
Listening and responding to spoken passages from a range of contexts and sources covering different registers and adapted as necessary. Material will include complex factual and abstract content and questions will target main points, gist and detail. Studio recordings will be used and students will have individual control of the recording.
All questions are in German, to be answered with non-verbal responses or in German (30 marks)
Reading and responding to a variety of texts written for different purposes, drawn from a range of authentic sources and adapted as necessary. Material will include complex factual and abstract content and questions will target main points, gist and detail.
All questions are in German, to be answered with non-verbal responses or in German (50 marks)
Translation into English; a passage of minimum 100 words (10 marks)
Translation into German; a passage of minimum 100 words (10 marks).
No access to a dictionary during the assessment.
Paper 2 – Writing
Written exam 2 hours; 20% of qualification
What’s assessed-:
One text and one film or two texts from the list set in the specification
Either one question in German on a set text from a choice of two questions and one question in German on a set film from a choice of two questions or two questions in German on set texts from a choice of two questions on each text.
All questions will require a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation, as appropriate to the work studied (eg the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera work in a film). No access to texts or films during the assessment. No access to a dictionary during the assessment. Students are advised to write approximately 300 words per essay.
Paper 3- Speaking
Oral exam 21-23 minutes including 5 minutes preparation; 30% of qualification
What’s assessed-
Individual research project
One of four sub-themes ie Aspects of German-speaking society or artistic culture in the German speaking world or Multiculturalism in German-speaking society or Aspects of political life in German-speaking society
Questions
Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5–6 minutes). The student studies the card for 5 minutes at the start of the test (25 marks).
Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9–10 minutes) of individual research project (35 marks). No access to a dictionary during the assessment (including 5 minutes preparation).
Students may take the assessment only once before certification.
Assessments will be conducted by either the centre or a visiting examiner and marked by an AQA examiner.
Curious about German?
Being up-to-date with current affairs gives you an advantage for discussion of your A level topics.
Read
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/ - Read international current news in German via one of the most read high-level news spreads in German language.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/ - Another very informative and popular newspaper in Germany.
https://www.spiegel.de/ - Well known German magazine which focuses on politics, economics and science.
https://sportbild.bild.de/ - If you like sports this is the link for you, one of the most popular sports magazines in Germany. Be aware that the German “Bild Zeitung” as a whole (not just including the sports part) is a tabloid similar to The Sun so should maybe be read with a critical lense.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22367/22367-h/22367-h.htm – This novella “Die Verwandlung” by Franz Kafka is a literary work studied at A level German.
https://mydailygerman.com/german-poems/ A few short German poems including English translation.
Online
https://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/en/ueb.html - The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. It promotes the study of German abroad and encourages international cultural exchange.
https://www.dw.com/de/themen/s-9077 -This is a popular Germany-based media platform with emphasis on both, regionally relevant news and topics as well as internationally accessible content (translated into 30 different languages).
https://yourdailygerman.com/ - Fun blog for learners of the German language discussing topics surrounding grammar and vocab curiosities.
https://www.wdrmaus.de/ - Many Germans grew up watching “Die Sendung mit der Maus”, it’s a kids TV staple, still amusing for adults too.
Listen
https://www.newsinslowgerman.com/ Podcast of latest news and events, slowed down specifically for learners of the German language.
https://www.vorleser.net/ This site links to a selection of German audio books, quite a few of them available as free downloads.
Watch
https://www.arte.tv/de/ – French/German broadcaster with mostly cultural and topical content, entertainment.
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/deutschland-83/on-demand/63264-001 – “Deutschland ‘83” is a German TV production in 8 parts (a second series called “Deutschland ‘86” has now also been released) following the story of the main character Martin, an East German soldier who is being sent (against his will) to West Germany on an important spy mission. The drama series was also aired on UK television.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5hzmwGW4Ac – Trailer for “Goodbye Lenin” which will be discussed as the film work for A level German.
https://www.ard.de/ One of the two national (government funded) broadcasters - the other one being https://www.zdf.de/