German - What You Will Learn

At Key Stage 4 German is not a statutory subject and students can choose to study it at examination level. This page gives details of the course.

Number of lessons per week: 2 lessons (2 hours)

Qualification: General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)

Examining board: AQA

Further information and full course specification: AQA website

» Aims
» Assessment objectives
» Knowledge, skills and understanding
» Themes & topics
» Scheme of assessment

Aims

A course based on this specification should encourage candidates to:

• Develop understanding of the spoken and written forms of German in a range of contexts;
• Develop the ability to communicate effectively in German, through both the spoken and written word, using a range of vocabulary and structures;
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the grammar of German, and the ability to apply it;
• Apply their knowledge and understanding in a variety of relevant contexts which reflect their previous learning and maturity;
• Develop knowledge and understanding of countries and communities where German is spoken;
• Develop positive attitudes to German learning;
• Provide a suitable foundation for further study and/or practical use of German.

Assessment objectives

The scheme of assessment will require candidates to demonstrate their
ability to:

• Understand and respond to spoken language;
• Communicate in speech, showing knowledge of, and applying accurately the grammar and structures prescribed in the specification;
• Understand and respond to written language;
• Communicate in writing, showing knowledge of, and applying accurately the grammar and structures prescribed in the specification.

Knowledge, skills and understanding

Candidates at Foundation Tier will be required to:

• Listen and respond to different types of spoken language;
• Express themselves in speech using a range of vocabulary, syntax and structures;
• Read and respond to different types of written language, including texts from ICT-based sources;
• Express themselves in writing using a range of vocabulary, syntax and structures;
• Understand and apply the grammar of German, as detailed in the specification for Foundation Tier;
• Respond to materials from countries and communities where German is spoken.

In addition, candidates at Higher Tier will be required to:

• Listen and respond to longer and more complex extracts of spoken language including some unfamiliar material;
• Speak at greater length, using a wider range of vocabulary and more complex syntax and structures;
• Read and respond to longer and more complex written texts and including some unfamiliar material;
• Write at greater length, using a wider range of vocabulary and more complex syntax and structures;
• Understand and apply the grammar of German, as detailed in the specification for Higher Tier.

Themes & Topics

My World

1A Self, Family and Friends
1B Interests and Hobbies
1C Home and Local Environment
1D Daily Routine
1E School and Future Plans (up to age 18)

Holiday Time & Travel

2A Travel, Transport and Finding the Way
2B Tourism
2C Accommodation
2D Holiday Activities
2E Services

Work & Lifestyle

3A Home Life
3B Healthy Living
3C Part-Time Jobs and Work Experience
3D Leisure
3E Shopping

The Young Person in Society

4A Character and Personal Relationships
4B The Environment
4C Education
4D Careers and Future Plans (post age 18)
4E Social Issues, Choices and Responsibilities

Listening Candidates will be expected to understand:

• Others performing the tasks listed;
• Announcements, instructions, requests, interviews, monologues and conversations between two or more people on the topics listed.

Speaking Candidates will be expected:

• To perform the tasks listed;
• To participate in a conversation on the topics listed.

Reading Candidates will be expected to understand:

• Others performing the tasks listed where these could reasonably be expected to be communicated in writing;
• Written material associated with, and on the subject of, the topics listed.

Writing Candidates will be expected:

• To perform the tasks listed where these could reasonably be expected to be communicated in writing;
• To write on the subject of the topics listed.

Scheme of assessment

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