German at Forest School
Head of Department: Mrs H Miller hprm@forest.org.uk
German is one of the major languages in Europe, spoken by around 100 million people in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and Germany is one of the main business partners with the UK.
Learning German will enhance your prospects with an employer in this country and abroad. We aim to develop the ability to communicate effectively and spontaneously in a range of situations in the target language. Therefore, there is a firm focus on being grammatically accurate in speaking and writing, as well as the opportunity to get to know the culture, film and literature of the German speaking world as you progress higher up the school.
Our rich curriculum includes:
- Regular trips to Germany to improve language and cultural knowledge
- Visits to Theatre in German
- Translation and essay competitions
- Supporting classes
- Individual sessions with German language assistant
- Collection of film and literature to borrow from the Martin Centre Library
GCSE and A-level Overview
The objectives of the Edexcel international GCSE in German are for pupils to achieve the following:
- Understanding and use of written forms of the target language, in a range of familiar and practical contexts, and for a variety of purposes.
- Understanding and use of the spoken forms of the target language, in a range of familiar and practical contexts, and for a variety of purposes.
- The ability to communicate effectively in the target language through the written word, using a range of vocabulary and structures
- The ability to communicate effectively in the target language through speaking, using a range of vocabulary and structures
- A knowledge and understanding of the target language grammar and its practical application
- A knowledge and understanding of countries and communities where the target language is spoken
- Positive attitudes towards modern foreign language learning
- A suitable foundation for further study of the target language, or another language.
Edexcel A level German will allow pupils to to develop an advanced level knowledge and understanding of the German language, the culture of Germany and other German-speaking countries, as well as practical and valuable language and transferable study skills.
This specification will help to prepare students for higher education and enhance their employability profile.
Assessment at GCSE and A-level
GCSE:
- Paper 1: Listening (30 minutes) – 25% of the total International GCSE
- Paper 2: Reading and Writing (1 hour 45 minutes) – 50% of the total International GCSE
- Paper 3: Speaking (8-10 minutes) internally conducted and externally assessed – 25% of the total International GCSE
A level:
- Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation (Written examination: 2 hours) – 40% of the qualification
- Paper 2: Written response to works and translation (Written examination: 2 hours and 40 minutes) – 30% of the qualification
- Paper 3: Speaking Internally conducted and externally assessed (Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes, which includes a single period of 5 minutes’ formal preparation time) – 30% of the qualification
Curriculum Maps – All Years
How can learning German change the world?
Flora Lewis, an American journalist who specialised in international affairs said that “Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things”. As the world becomes more divided, learning another language helps bring people together and as communication is improved, mutual understanding and tolerance grow too.