Introduction
German is an important language with many speakers world-wide: it is important in business and on the international political stage and has a wealth of interesting literature, philosophy and history.
Why study German at Ashbourne?
The study of languages opens up opportunities to study, work and travel abroad. It encourages students to develop confidence and learn to appreciate a culture other than their own. A greater understanding of grammar often improves competence in English.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow the EDEXCEL specification for GCSE German.
How many topics are there?
There are five topics in total for German GCSE
What is each topic about?
Identity and cultureVisitor information
- Who am I? : interests, friends and family
- Daily Life : food and drink, shopping, technology
- Cultural life : celebrations, sport, music, reading, and films
- Holidays: destinations and experiences
- Travel and tourist transactions: travel and accommodation, asking for help and directions, activities and attractions
- Town, region and country: weather, places to see and things to do
- What school is like: types of schools, a typical school day, subjects and rules
- School activities: school trips and events
- Using languages beyond the classroom: forming relationships, travel and employment
- Ambitions: further study, volunteering and training
- Work: jobs, professions and careers
International and global dimension
- Bringing the world together: sports and music events, campaigns and good causes
- Environmental issues: access to natural resources, being ‘green’
How is each unit examined?
Each examination draws on vocabulary across all topics.
Unit 1 – Listening and understanding in German
It is externally assessed and takes place in May.
Students will respond to multiple-response and short-answer open response questions based on a recording of standard spoken German, featuring a range of public and social settings.
45 minutes for higher tier
50 marks, 25% of GCSE
Speaking in German
It is internally assessed under controlled conditions and it takes place at the beginning of May.
It is marked by the school and moderated by Edexcel.
Students must speak German to communicate effectively for different purposes and in different settings.
There are three tasks:
Task 1 – a role play
Task 2 – questions based on a picture stimulus
Task 3 – conversation based on two themes
10-12 minutes, 12 minutes preparation time.
70 Marks, 25% of GCS
Reading and understanding in German
It is externally assessed and takes place on the same day as the listening and understanding. Students answer multiple-response and short-answer questions based on a range of texts, including advertisements, emails, letters, articles and literary texts.
1 hour for higher tier
50 marks, 25% of GCSE
Writing in German
It is externally assessed and takes place at the beginning of May under controlled conditions.
Students must produce responses of varying lengths, expressing ideas and opinions for different purposes and audiences.
1 hour 20 minutes
60 marks, 25% of GCSE
When do the exams take place?
The exams take place in June
Which Ashbourne teacher teach this course?
Beyond GCSE for students
German GCSE is a perfect basis for German A Level, which itself is suitable if not essential for those going on to study Modern Languages or European Studies. It could also lead to a combined degree alongside, for example, Business, Management, Law or Linguistics. Languages are important in many careers and walks of life.
