Main School
German
The study of German begins in Year 7 and is compulsory until the end of Year 9. In Years 10 and 11, German is an option subject. The department aims to equip pupils with the basic knowledge and linguistic skills necessary for work and leisure in 21st century Europe. A qualification or ability in German will be useful in careers in finance, engineering, teaching or technology. The department also aims to foster a lifelong interest in language learning by making the study of German interesting, relevant and fun.
The
department consistently gains excellent GCSE results and since 2004 all
students have gained either an A or A* grade.
Topics covered in Year 7 are personal information, school,
family and friends, free time, my home, town and country. Pupils
begin to build up knowledge and the ability to communicate with a
German-speaking person by giving simple details. At the end of
each half term pupils will be tested on the work covered by doing
listening, reading and writing tests. The end of year exam will also
consist of a simple speaking element of 10 questions. By the end
of Year 7 most pupils will have attained a National Curriculum Level 3
or 4.
Course followed: Echo! 1
Topics covered in Year 8 include holidays, shopping and food, after
school activities, health, going out and taking part in an exchange
visit. Pupils progress at a slower rate this year although they
are introduced to some more difficult grammar points, including the use
of the past tense. At the end of each half term pupils will be
tested on teh work covered by doing listening, reading and writing
tests. The end of year exam will also consist of a speaking
element of 10 questions. By the end of Year 8 most pupils should
have attained at least a National Curriculum Level 5 or 6.
Course followed: Echo! 2
In Year 9 we revisit some topics covered in Years 7 and 8 such as personal information, daily routine, school, my house, going out and food shopping. Pupils will now begin to expand their knowledge of these topics through more difficult tasks and will also be gradually introduced to GCSE style materials. At the end of each chapter pupils will be tested on the work covered by doing tests which will contain listening, reading, writing and grammar elements. The end of year exam will also consist of a more difficult speaking element involving longer answers. By the end of Year 9 most pupils will have attained a National Curriculum Level 6, 7 or 8.
Course followed: Mach mit!
For GCSE (Years 10 and 11) we follow the AQA syllabus which offers two tiers of entry in the four skill areas (listening, reading, speaking and writing). There is no coursework and the four skills are valued equally at 25% each. We continue to use the textbook Mach mit! as well as relevant examination practice materials.
The 6 GCSE topic areas are:
- Personal relationships
- Tourism
- The environment
- Leisure
- Home life
- Education and work
Help is available on an individual basis in Year 11 as pupils prepare
for the mock exams in the four skills. One to one speaking
practice on a weekly basis is arranged and pupils practice from past
examination papers on a regular basis, both before and after the mock
exams.
For more details on detailed subject options view the Option Blocks webpage.
Out of the classroom
- Trips to Germany are organised on an annual basis
- German for beginners is offered under the Skill section for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award in Year 10
- Visiting theatre groups perform relevant plays to all pupils of
German
