GERMAN
A Level German will give you the opportunity to refine your linguistic skills as well as to study aspects of German society and the cultural background of the German speaking countries.
WHAT IS GERMAN?
Although English has become a lingua franca in the past several decades, to remain monolingual is to hinder your educational development and to deny yourself the ability to step inside the mind and context of another culture. A Level German enables you to acquire and improve languages skills, communicate with the speakers of the language and to take your place in a multilingual, global community. It will give you the opportunity to refine your linguistic skills as well as to study aspects of German society and the cultural background of German-speaking countries.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please note that this A Level course is subject to a minimum number of students enrolling.
WHAT IS GERMAN AT DLD?
German at DLD provides an opportunity for students to improve their language skills using a variety of resources including magazines, films, texts and literature as well as the internet. These materials are used with a variety of teaching methods to help you to develop as a speaker of the language: we will help you to improve all four skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking) to achieve good results in the exams.
We aim to achieve an atmosphere where you find your favourite way of learning and feel challenged and rewarded at the same time.
HOW IS GERMAN AT DLD ASSESSED?
Weighting Format of German AS (starts September 2016, first assessment summer 2017)
| Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation | 40% Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Paper 2: Written response to works and translation | 30% Written examination 2 hour 40 minutes |
| Paper 3: Speaking | 30% 21 – 23 minutes (includes a single period of 5 minutes formal presentation time) |
Weighting Format of German A level (starts September 2017, first assessment summer 2018
| Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation | 40% Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Paper 2: Written response to works and translation | 30% Written examination 2 hour 40 minutes |
| Paper 3: Speaking | 30% Oral 21 – 23 minutes (includes 5 minutes preparation time for Task 1) |
Exam Board: P/T
WHAT DO I NEED BEFORE GERMAN AT DLD?
It is important that you like languages and are aware of what it means to study a language, for example, learning lots of new vocabulary and producing regular written assignments. However, passion and enthusiasm are perhaps the most important qualities to enable you to attain your best.
GOOD SUBJECT COMBINATIONS
You can combine German with any subject. Learning a foreign language improves your skills of analysis and interpretation and this can complement all your studies.
WHAT DO I DO AFTER DLD?
You can use your language knowledge in many areas of employment. As more companies expand and work closely with businesses in other countries, workers who can communicate in different languages and understand other cultures will be in demand. No matter what career you choose, if you have learned a second language you will have a real advantage. You can study German at degree level and many university programmes teach languages in conjunction with other subjects. You could even decide to study abroad, in a German speaking country for a summer, a term or maybe for a year. When you study a language, you learn about how to learn a language, so acquiring the next one will be even easier.
QUESTIONS ON GERMAN COURSES
Q. Can I do the course in one year?
A Yes, you can do the legacy units in one year. The new 2016 specification has to be taken over two years.
Q. Do I have to have studied German before?
A. Yes.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS ON GERMAN FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To study A Levels, your current or pending exam results should be equivalent to or higher than GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in at least 5 subjects and a minimum level of English equivalent to IELTS 5.5.
At the start of each academic year of study students following an A Level course without a pass at Level 5/Grade C in GCSE or IGCSE English Language or with an Academic English score below 6.5 overall must join an Academic English training course for the duration of the academic year which will be timetabled alongside A Level lessons.
If your level of English is not sufficient to meet the entry criteria for the A Level programme you will normally be offered a place on the one year Academic Preparation Course (pre A Level) in order to bring your English skills up to the required level.
