KS4

GCSE Course Followed: German

Specification: AQA (Syllabus code 8668)

Why Choose GCSE German?

If you enjoy learning about different countries and cultures, communicating with other people, finding out how language works, then studying GCSE German is an excellent choice for you! You will choose an MFL GCSE from the two languages you are currently studying – why not consider choosing two?

There are many reasons for taking this GCSE:

You will be able to share your interests, ideas and opinions with other people who speak German.
You will learn about Germany and get a lot more out of a trip there.
You will add an international dimension to your choice of GCSE subjects, which is something many future employers and higher education providers look for. German is now the most sought-after foreign language for businesses in the UK.

You will learn many skills which are useful in a wide range of future careers, such as the ability to communicate clearly, being confident about speaking in public, using problem-solving strategies, etc.
If you continue with languages beyond GCSE to A Level, you will be able to combine German with many different subjects at University, e.g. Medicine, Law, Business and many more.
You will create greater opportunities for yourself to work abroad, or for companies in the UK with international links. The UK exports most of its products to Germany.

What do I need to know?

You have started your GCSE course in Year 9 so you already know a lot of the vocabulary and grammar you’ll need for GCSE. You know how to talk about yourself, your family and friends, your hobbies, where you live, school, holidays, food and drink. You will build on these topics over the next two years, as well as moving on to new topics.

So you are already part way there! German doesn’t get any harder than GCSE- there is just more to learn.

Four skills are tested in a formal exam at the end of Year 11. Each skill is worth 25% of your total GCSE. You will be entered for either Foundation or Higher tier. The exams are set out below:

Listening:
You will answer questions on recorded material from different topic areas. Some material will be formal (for example a telephone message) and some informal (for example a telephone conversation between friends).

Reading:
You will answer questions about short texts on different topics in various forms such as text messages, adverts, emails and letters. You will also translate a paragraph from German to English.

Speaking:
This exam will be conducted by your teacher. You will have range of activities to complete. You will take part in a role play with your teacher, you will answer questions about a photo and you will have a general conversation on a topic you have previously studied.

Writing:
There are three main tasks to complete. First you will write a short response to bullet points on a certain topic. You will then show off all of your language skills in a more detailed response to bullet points and finally you will translate a short passage from English into German.

What can I do after I have completed the course?

People with language skills and knowledge are highly thought of in the modern world. They stand out as talented and successful people, with broad and exciting horizons. Being able to speak more than one language has been scientifically proven to give people higher cognitive ability. Taking GCSE language(s) means you will have much more fun when travelling and be able to continue your language learning to A Level. You will add an extra dimension to your personal skills profile which will impress anyone who reads your CV and you will be in a stronger position to get a job in companies with international links or to work abroad. You will also be able to choose between many careers that you may not have previously thought of such as working as a calls interceptor for MI5, being responsible for international links in global companies or even opening new franchises in foreign countries. The options are endless!

Key Stage Four Curriculum Overview

Year 10

	NAME OF TOPIC	KEY CONTENT OF THE TOPIC	ASSESSMENT POINTS
Term 1	Family and Relationships	*Students will recap the following content:* Family members, pets, opinions *Students will learn the following vocabulary:* Relationships with others *Students will learn the following grammar points:* Reflexive verbs *Students will learn the following culture:* Family life in Germany	End of Unit assessments. Weekly vocabulary tests. Speaking preparation assessments
HT3	Travel, holidays and problems	*Students will recap the following content:* Healthy vs unhealthy lifestyles, tenses *Students will learn the following vocabulary:* Lifestyles in the past, consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, drinking, drugs, charity/voluntary work (abroad) *Students will learn the following grammar points:* Um…zu, 2 verb clauses that use zu, dieser and jeder with cases *Students will learn the following culture:* Biomarkets in Germany Reasons for sausage and bread in Germany	End of Unit tests Weekly vocabulary tests
HT4	Social media and dangers	*Students will recap the following content:* Qualifiers, revision of course so far in preparation for trial exams *Students will learn the following vocabulary:* Poverty/homelessness, environmental problems and solutions *Students will learn the following grammar points:* The pluperfect tense, the conditional tense with wenn *Students will learn the following culture:* Recycling in Germany, the Pfand system for bottles.	End of Unit tests Weekly vocabulary tests
Term 3	School description and jobs	*Students will recap the following content:* Different types of holiday accommodation, tenses, describing a holiday, Co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions *Students will learn the following vocabulary:* Types of holiday, what you can do in various places around the world. *Students will learn the following grammar points:* Imperfect tense with irregular verbs, TMP in the perfect tense, Using impersonal verbs, Relative pronouns and clauses, more complex question words *Students will learn the following culture:* Germany’s tourist industry.	Trial Exam

Year 11

	NAME OF TOPIC	KEY TOPIC OF THE TOPIC	ASSESSMENT POINTS
Term 1	My studies	*Students will recap the following content:* School subjects, seit, Infinitive constructions (um…zu, ohne…zu), Imperative, reflexive verbs, comparatives and superlatives. *Students will learn the following vocabulary:* Different education settings in Germany, describing the school, school rules, the school day, problems at school. *Students will learn the following grammar points:* Vor (time), common subjunctive forms *Students will learn the following culture:* The school system in Germany	Weekly vocabulary tests End of Unit tests Speaking preparation assessments Trial Exams (including speaking exams)
Term 2	Post 16 choices	*Students will recap the following content:* Subordinating conjunctions, conditional verbs with wenn *Students will learn the following vocabulary:* Career choices and ambitions, further education, jobs, choosing a career, my ideal job. *Students will learn the following grammar points:* Welcher, verbs followed by zu, genetive case, adverbs such as hoffentlich and vielleicht	Weekly vocabulary tests End of Unit tests Speaking preparation assessments
HT 4-5		Students prepare for their GCSE German exams in the following ways: Revise every module Revisit each grammar point Past papers in class Preparation of the speaking exam	GCSE Exams

NAME OF TOPIC

KEY TOPIC OF THE TOPIC

ASSESSMENT POINTS

Term 1

My studies

Students will recap the following content:
School subjects, seit, Infinitive constructions (um…zu, ohne…zu), Imperative, reflexive verbs, comparatives and superlatives.

Students will learn the following vocabulary:
Different education settings in Germany, describing the school, school rules, the school day, problems at school.

Students will learn the following grammar points:
Vor (time), common subjunctive forms

Students will learn the following culture:
The school system in Germany

Weekly vocabulary tests

End of Unit tests

Speaking preparation assessments

Trial Exams (including speaking exams)

Term 2

Post 16 choices

Students will recap the following content:
Subordinating conjunctions, conditional verbs with wenn

Students will learn the following vocabulary:
Career choices and ambitions, further education, jobs, choosing a career, my ideal job.

Students will learn the following grammar points:
Welcher, verbs followed by zu, genetive case, adverbs such as hoffentlich and vielleicht

Weekly vocabulary tests

End of Unit tests

Speaking preparation assessments

HT 4-5

Students prepare for their GCSE German exams in the following ways:

Revise every module
Revisit each grammar point
Past papers in class
Preparation of the speaking exam

GCSE Exams

Recommended Revision Guides for GCSE

Students have a published GCSE vocabulary book, which they should be using regularly to learn vocabulary.

Students also have access to various websites to help with their vocabulary, reading, listening and grammar revision. Examples include: www.Languagenut.com, www.kerboodle.com, www.thisislanguage.com

Kerboodle allows students to access the GCSE textbook and interactive activities.

Support available for GCSE Students

Sixth Form mentors are available to help students who feel they would benefit from one to one help. For Year 11 students there are extra listening, reading and speaking classes every week to enable the students to practise the skills that they need more help with. Subject teachers also offer one-to-one sessions for students to discuss what they need help with.