If I am selling to you, I speak your language. If I am buying, dann müssen sie Deutsch sprechen.
Willy Brandt (Chancellor of Germany 1969 - 1974)
WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER GERMAN AS A GCSE SUBJECT CHOICE?
More people speak German as their native language than any other language in Europe. It's no wonder, since Germany's 83 million inhabitants make it the most populous European nation. But it is not only the residents of Germany who speak German. It is also an official language of Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. German is the second most commonly used scientific language and according to a survey in 2024, German is not only the most in demand second language in UK job adverts but also shown to be the highest earning. It is an excellent subject to study in combination with business, science or law, however, it can be used in most combinations of subjects. Studying German may be also beneficial to many areas of employment. You may also discover it may lead to many exciting opportunities.
Post Brexit it is now much harder for UK businesses to hire native speakers from Europe. This could be your chance!
WHAT QUALIFICATION DOES THE COURSE LEAD TO?
The course will directly lead to a GCSE in German (A*-G). It enables students to carry on studying German at A Level and at university.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
You will learn useful language that you could use in situations relating to leisure and wellbeing, travel and study or work.
Units 1, 3 and 4 will be based on the following broad themes. Sub-themes are exemplified for each broad theme and many we have already covered in Key Stage 3:
• language for leisure and wellbeing, for example: healthy mind and body (food and drink, health and fitness, sport and hobbies), self and relationships, using technology and media.
• language for travel, for example: travelling around the world (holidays), traditions and cultural differences in German speaking countries, the environment and sustainability.
• language for study and work, for example: study and work opportunities (School life and studies), the benefits of working with languages, in the world of work both at home and abroad.
HOW WILL I LEARN?
German at GCSE is taught no differently to how you have been taught in years 8 and 9. It is taught in an enjoyable way in a variety of methods to sustain interest and develop different skill areas. The WJEC GCSE in German has been designed to enable you to use languages in meaningful ways. You will learn how to understand the language and communicate in both speaking and writing in realistic settings. You will also develop an awareness of the culture and society of German speaking countries and make connections with your own language and culture. Building on new vocabulary and grammatical structures, learners will then be given practical opportunities to adapt and practice their own language through writing or speaking. Learners will also get the opportunity to practise their German skills with the German exchange student.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
There are FOUR units for GCSE German. Two are assessed in examinations in the final year of study. The other two units are completed as non-examination assessments in your classroom, also in your final year of study.
UNIT 1 – Oracy 30% of the qualification.
Unit 1 is a non-examination assessment of speaking and listening and will be conducted by your teacher. Firstly, you will read aloud a short sentence to show your understanding of German pronunciation – something we have spent a long time perfecting in Key Stage 3. You will then take part in a role play. After this, you will give a short one-minute presentation that you will have prepared in advance and have a short discussion with your teacher about your presentation. Finally, you will take part in a short conversation with your teacher.
UNIT 2 - Reading and Writing 15% of the qualification.
Unit 2 is also a non-examination assessment that you will complete in your classroom. As a class, you will study a short piece of work (either a graphic novel (comic), short story, film script or novel) in German. You will then write a written response (up to 200 words) in German about the short story/graphic novel or film script you have studied.
Unit 3 – Listening 20% of the qualification.
Unit 3 is a listening examination. You will listen a range of speakers in German and will demonstrate your understanding of what you have heard by for example, answering multiple choice questions or questions in English.
Unit 4 - Reading and Writing 35% of the qualification
For this assessment, you will read texts in German and answers questions on them in English. You will also be required to complete a translation from English into German. Finally, you will be able to demonstrate your written language skills by writing up to 120 words in German from a choice of three questions.
https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/rwtgyifn/mfl-options-evening-flyer.pdf
WILL THERE BE ANY EDUCATIONAL VISITS TO GERMANY, SO THAT I CAN USE MY LANGUAGE SKILLS IN REAL LIFE SITUATIONS?
Ja klar! We run an alternating annual trip to either Germany's vibrant capital city, Berlin or Bavaria's capital, Munich. These trips are exclusive to those learners who have chosen German as a GCSE, and we join together with the RVE department in Berlin and the PE department in Munich. We fly to both cities for maximum time in the country and fully embrace German life by using public transport, trying out the local cuisine and of course giving learners lots of opportunities to speak German.
MUNICH - a truly charismatic city and an excellent location to introduce GCSE German learners to the German culture and inspire in them a passion for the language and the country. During our four day stay, we visit Neuschwanstein, a fairy tale castle made famous by Disney, the Olympic Park constructed for the 1972 Olympic Games including a swim in the Olympic pool, which remains a marvel of modern engineering, a stadium tour of the impressive Allianz stadium (home of FC Bayern München) and a very sombre visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp memorial site.
BERLIN - is a brilliant cross-curricular destination, with a rich history and culture that offers GCSE German learners excellent opportunities to practise their German. During our four day visit we visit the main historical sites, such as the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Reichstag. Included in this trip to Berlin is a guided visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp memorial site. Learners also get to learn about the Cold War, where the city was divided by the Berlin Wall for almost 30 years during the East-West conflict ,and we visit the DDR interactive museum to find out what life was like living in a once divided Germany.
HOW WILL AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE BENEFIT ME IN THE WORLD OF WORK?A GCSE qualification in an international language such as German will considerably broaden the scope of job opportunities and can be combined successfully with many other subjects at A Level and at university level. The study and experience of an international language will also increase your skill set for life by:
- developing skills in clear communication encourages problem solving
- considers ideas from another culture’s point of view
- provides you with translation skills, as well as active and fine listening skills
- enables you with the ability to think quickly and respond appropriately
In addition to these, it enhances your knowledge of English and will boost your literacy skills.
Useful links
https://britishgermanassociation.org/why-learn-german/
https://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/en/spr/unt/eng/wdl.html
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/five-of-the-most-useful-languages-to-learn-right-now/
https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/universities/
https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
Frank Smith
Credits:
Created with an image by mazolafoto - "Berlin Brandenburger Tor bei Nacht"