German, A-level

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
Edexcel assumes that most students will normally have achieved at least the equivalent of GCSE Grade B in the relevant language before taking this course. You will need to feel confident at this level in the four language skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You must also have some knowledge and understanding of the culture and way of life of the target-language country. You need to be interested in developing this understanding and in exploring in much more depth the topic areas that you will have covered at GCSE.

What will I learn on this A level course?
The course will help you to develop your general study skills, but most of all you will learn to communicate at a higher level in the language that you have chosen. You will also learn much more about a wide range of aspects of the society or societies in which the language is spoken.

Reading
You will be able to read, understand and extract information from written passages in the target language that are taken from authentic sources, such as magazines and newspapers, reports or books.

Listening
You will be able to listen to, and understand contemporary spoken language and answer questions on what you have heard. The passages that you will learn to listen to will be taken from a range of sources such as news reports on the radio or TV, weather forecasts, announcements, interviews and discussions.

Speaking and Writing
You will learn how to write essays or longer pieces and to hold conversations and discussions in the target language. You will learn all the appropriate grammar, words and phrases that will help you to:

  • present information in the target language
  • organise your arguments
  • provide opinions
  • analyse your ideas

What kind of student is this course suitable for?
If you are interested in languages and communication, and you enjoy learning about other cultures and ways of life, then the Modern Foreign Languages course could be suitable for you. Similarly, if you are interested in the business world, in travel or tourism, in literature, or in journalism and the media, then you are also likely to find the course appropriate. There are a number of options in the course where you can choose your topic or question to suit your interests. Whether you want to use language for work, for further study, training, or for leisure, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge.

What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?
AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary. This is the first half of the A level course. It is a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. You can take just the AS on its own, if you and your teacher agree that this is best for you. You can even decide at the end of the AS course whether to continue to take the full A level qualification. The AS consists of the first two Units described below:

Unit 1 Spoken Expression and Response in French/German (8-10 minutes)
Here you will be expected to converse in the target language on a general topic area that you have chosen in advance. You will need to demonstrate that you can engage in a discussion in the target language that relates to a chosen general topic area and allied subtopics. You will be expected to give relevant and appropriate information, convey opinions, interact and respond to a range of questions. You must choose one of the following general topic areas:

  • Youth culture and concerns
  • Lifestyle: health and fitness
  • The world around us: travel, tourism, environmental issues and the target language-speaking world
  • Education and employment

The assessment of this Unit is in two sections:

  • Section A requires you to respond to four Edexcel-set questions on a stimulus related to your chosen general topic area
  • Section B requires the teacher/examiner to engage you in a discussion that, although still relating to the same general topic area and its linked subtopics, moves away from the main focus of the stimulus

Unit 2 Understanding and Written Response in French/German (2½ hours)
This Unit requires you to understand and convey your understanding of target language texts and recordings. In addition, you will need to produce an essay to demonstrate an ability to manipulate the target language in continuous writing. You will be expected to recognise and use the target language in a variety of contexts and in relation to a prescribed range of general topic areas.

The Unit draws upon four general topic areas:

  • Youth culture and concerns
  • Lifestyle: health and fitness
  • The world around us: travel, tourism, environmental issues and the French-German-speaking world
  • Education and employment

The assessment of this Unit is in three sections:

  • Section A requires you to listen to a range of authentic recorded target language material and to retrieve and convey information given in the recording by responding to a range of target language questions
  • Section B requires you to read authentic target language printed materials and to retrieve and convey information by responding to a range of mainly target language test types
  • Section C requires you to write 200-220 words in the form of a letter, report or article in the target language based on a short printed target language stimulus

A2

Unit 3 Understanding and Spoken Response in French/German (11-13 minutes)
This Unit requires you to demonstrate the effectiveness of your target language skills by presenting and taking a clear stance on any issue of your choice. You will be expected to interact effectively with the teacher/examiner, defend your views and sustain discussion as the teacher/examiner moves the conversation away from your chosen issue. You will be expected to use the language of debate and argument to discuss the issue and will also be assessed for understanding as well as communication and quality of spoken language.

The assessment of this Unit is as follows:

You first outline your chosen issue for about one minute, adopting a definite stance towards the issue. You should then defend and justify your opinions for up to four minutes. The teacher/examiner will then initiate a spontaneous discussion in which a minimum of two further unpredictable areas of discussion will be covered.

Unit 4 Research, Understanding and Written Response in French/German (2½ hours)
This Unit requires you to demonstrate skills in advanced-level target language writing (discursive or creative essay) and translation from English into the target language. The Unit also requires you to demonstrate evidence of independent, advanced-level target language reading and research of a chosen text, play, film or topic area that links to the culture and/or society of a French or German speaking country, countries or community

The content of this Unit will be linked to the following general topic areas:

  • Youth culture and concerns
  • Lifestyle: health and fitness
  • The world around us: travel, tourism, environmental issues and the French- /German-speaking world
  • Education and employment.
  • Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions
  • National and international events: past, present and future
  • Literature and the arts

The assessment of this Unit is in three sections:

  • Section A: A short written translation exercise to test your ability to transfer meaning from English into the target language effectively
  • Section B: A target language essay in response to one from a choice of seven questions, linked to the prescribed general topic areas that invite either discursive or creative writing
  • Section C: A research-based essay in the target language (240-270 words) to reward you for target language research skills linked to an area of interest to you that relates to the culture and/or society of a French-/German-language country, countries or community.  You have the freedom to determine the content of your research (potentially in negotiation with your teacher) but it must relate to the four research-based essay topic areas for this Unit

How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course?
As well as covering advanced level study of Modern Foreign Languages, this course will enable you to develop some skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards. The skills you can develop during this course are listed in the table below:

Communication
Presenting your chosen topic for Unit 1 and expressing opinions and ideas/ writing a letter to an environmental organisation seeking information.

Information Technology
Producing a newsletter or poster/ using the internet and CD ROMS.

Working with others
Role-plays/working on an exchange project/work experience abroad.

Improving own learning and performance
Setting targets with the teacher for coursework and/or oral topic/ receiving feedback on work and taking forward suggestions on how to improve it.

NB: The Key Skill of Communication has to be assessed in English, Irish or Welsh, so you would not be able to use work in the target-language for your portfolio of evidence for Communication.

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
There will be a range of opportunities open to you, where you can continue to use and further develop your language skills and knowledge of contemporary society. Some students choose to do degree courses in languages; others choose to pursue a Higher Education course in another subject, but choose a language option alongside it. Having a language at AS or A level will certainly improve your employability, in particular with companies which have international branches. Whether you are interested in continuing your studies or working at home or abroad, a language course at AS or A level is an excellent step towards achieving your goals.