German in the Sixth Form.

Specification = GERMAN OCR AS 3862 A 7862

SPRECHEN SIE DEUTSCH ?

Europe in the 21st century. Science and computer technology, the world of finance, trade and commerce, international relations and foreign aid, politics and journalism, art and literature. The German AS and A2 level course offers you stimulating insights into all these areas as well as expanding your communicative ability in German.

The German AS and A2 level course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed at GCSE.

Equal stress is placed on each of the linguistic skills, both at AS and A2 level, together with acquisition of knowledge about the contemporary culture and society of Germany and countries or communities where German is spoken.

Students considering this course should normally have acquired the level of understanding and proficiency as specified for GCSE at Higher Tier.

Successful candidates in previous years have gone on to study German at degree level in combination with a main subject. A number of students have been able to put their German language skills into practice by spending a gap year in a German speaking country and several students have found employment in Germany.

Assessment

The course is examined through Listening, Reading and Writing Papers, a written piece of coursework and an oral exam at AS level in the first year to make up the AS award. Students may opt to study German in 6i for an AS award without continuing for a full A level at the end of 6ii.

Content of Specification

The syllabus is designed to develop students' knowledge of language, their language skills and their appreciation of cultural aspects of Germany and countries where the language is used. The thematic centre of the syllabus will be Germany, its geography, institutions and contemporary culture. Students will be investigating some of the events that have shaped this century from a German perspective. Topical issues ranging from drug addiction, immigration, unemployment and globalisation to youth culture and modern technology will be covered in some detail. Students are encouraged to understand the political system and democratic processes in the German-speaking countries by studying newspaper articles, television programs - the department has access to German TV channels via satellite link - German websites and first hand experiences through a programme of study visits to Germany and Austria. In the A level course, students will be expected to develop a deeper understanding of cultural aspects, together with a higher level of critical awareness.