The A level German course will introduce you to new areas of culture, language, literature and current affairs. You will soon start to develop the skills required by a linguist at advanced level. The course is very liberating; a great deal more is expected from you in terms of bringing ideas, opinions and current affairs knowledge to the classroom.
You will receive eight teaching periods each week. At least one of these lessons will be scheduled in the Language Learning Centre. In addition, our German Assistant will see you once per week in small groups to work on your spoken skills. We develop listening, reading, writing and speaking skills to a high standard of fluency and accuracy. Lessons are interactive, discursive and analytical, focusing on accessible and familiar themes. The exploration of cultural elements forms a significant part of the course and the regular use of all the School’s IT resources adds another dimension to the learning experience.
Topics studied
Aspects of German-speaking society
- The changing state of the family
- The digital world
- Youth culture: fashion and trends, music, television
Artistic culture in the German-speaking world
- Festivals and traditions
- Art and architecture
- Cultural life in Berlin, past and present
Multiculturalism in German-speaking society
- Immigration
- Integration
- Racism
Aspects of political life in the German-speaking world
- Germany and the European Union
- Politics and youth
- German reunification and its consequences
Assessment
Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing (50%)
Paper 2 - Writing (20%)
Paper 3 - Speaking (30%)
100%
A*–A in A level German in 2023
Berlin
study trip
“I like the freedom I have to express my own ideas. It helps my German no end and is great fun.”
Academic enrichment
The Senior MFL Society runs jointly with Abingdon School. Events include lectures, debates, visits, films and themed dinners. In German, you will be encouraged to take part in the yearly Oxford German Olympiad as well as a number of other national competitions. Apart from the obvious careers of translator, interpreter and teacher, a foreign language is recognised as an enormous advantage in the fields of politics, diplomacy, business, journalism, public service, scientific research, law, publishing and medicine, to name a few. Languages at advanced level are greatly esteemed by the UK’s leading universities.
