Staff Members: T Carlin
Department Introduction
Studying German does not limit you to a career in languages. Many successful students of the subject have pursued careers in law, economics, banking, journalism, business etc. German is spoken by more people in Europe than any other language and is also the language of one of the foremost trading nations in the world. Britain consistently has more trade with Germany than any other country in the European Union. It is increasingly the case that employers are recruiting personnel who, in addition to their academic qualifications, can communicate with potential customers and suppliers in German. Moreover as one of the main scientific and technological languages, German is also useful to students of science subjects
Information on GCSE teaching GCSE German aims to encourage the pupil to develop understanding of spoken and written German in a range of contexts and the ability to communicate effectively in German using a range of vocabulary and structures; to expand knowledge and understanding of German grammar and the ability to apply this and their overall knowledge to a variety of relevant situations which reflect their previous learning of the subject; to extend knowledge of countries where German is spoken and provide a suitable foundation for practical use and/or further study of German. At GCSE level German continues to involve the four skill areas which are common to all Modern Language teaching: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing The following is the list of topics to be covered:
Lifestyle Health
• Healthy and unhealthy lifestyles and their consequences
Relationships and Choices
• Relationships with family and friends
• Future plans regarding: marriage/partnership
• Social issues and equality Leisure
Free Time and the Media
• Free time activities
• Shopping, money, fashion and trends
• Advantages and disadvantages of new technology
Holidays
• Plans, preferences, experiences
• What to see and getting around Home and Environment
Home and Local Area
• Special occasions celebrated in the home
• Home, town, neighbourhood and region, where it is and what it is like
Environment
• Current problems facing the planet
• Being environmentally friendly within the home and local area Work and Education
School/College and Future Plans
• What school/college is like
• Pressures and problems
Current and Future Jobs
• Looking for and getting a job
• Work routine
• Advantages and disadvantages of different jobs
Information on AS/ A Level Teaching The main aims of the A Level German course are: (1) to develop a high level of fluency in both written and spoken German (2) to develop a sound knowledge of German grammar (3) to stimulate an interest in German Literature through the study of German texts (4) to develop the analytical and interpretative skills of pupils to a higher level (5) to stimulate interest in German current affairs and an awareness of the position of German in both a European and world context (6) to contribute to the overall development of each pupil (7) to create an atmosphere in which the pupil's experience will be an enjoyable one (8) to develop further the ability to use German effectively for purposes of communication (9) to build upon the skill acquired at GCSE for further study, work and leisure (10) to develop the student's insight into the culture, literature and civilisation of all the German-speaking countries (11) to provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation through the medium of German (12) to increase the student's sensitivity towards the nature of language and language learning Topics to be covered during this two year course include: Relationships, Health and Lifestyle, Young People in Society, Local and Global Citizenship, and Environmental Awareness. |