German GCSE
German is the most spoken language in Europe and is the official language of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Year after year, business surveys put German at the top of the employers' wish-lists. Germany is the UK's largest non-English speaking trading partner. The ability to speak both German and English is an advantage for finding a job with the many multinational companies using German as their working language, in a wide range of sectors (automotive, business, scientific research, publishing, hospitality and tourism). Germany is the largest national economy in Europe and the third strongest economy in the world. A GCSE qualification in German could provide you with opportunities to work in the UK as well as to travel and work abroad.
From September 2024 we are following the new Pearson Edexcel German GCSE course.
The vocabulary in this qualification enables students to communicate across a range of engaging and relatable thematic contexts, which are relevant to their current and future needs. The following six broad thematic contexts provide a focus for the teaching and learning of the vocabulary and grammar listed in the specification:
• My personal world • Lifestyle and wellbeing • My neighbourhood • Media and technology • Studying and my future • Travel and tourism
Pearson Edexcel GCSE German specification
German A Level
The A-level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. Students study technological and social change, looking at the multicultural nature of German-speaking society. They will study highlights of German-speaking artistic culture, including art and architecture, and will learn how Germany's political landscape was formed. Students will explore the influence of the past on present-day German-speaking communities. Throughout their studies, they will learn the language in the context of German-speaking countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study texts and film and will have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice. Assessment tasks will be varied and cover listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
Entry Requirement
GCSE German at grade 6 or above
Exam Board
AQA
Skills Required
Sound grammatical knowledge, excellent communication skills and confidence.
Apart from being beneficial at a personal level, your A level in German can provide opportunities in a variety of career paths. For those who want to specialise in language, you could work with different industries as a translator or work in education. There will also be career opportunities in the travel and tourism industry. Being proficient in a language can give you broader career options, even if you were looking into a career in engineering, design technology or food technology.
Should you wish to take up another language, e.g. Japanese, at university, an A level in a modern foreign language is essential. On a wider level, anyone who wants to travel for work or pleasure should consider taking this course