At GCSE level students are required to complete four papers covering listening, reading, writing and speaking skills and are graded according the 9-1 award scheme.

All papers will be set and marked by the awarding organisation. 

Compulsory topics are linked to identity and culture; local, national, international and global areas of interest; and current and future study and employment. Papers will be tiered, with 25% assessment weightings per skill.

The GCSE German reading paper tests a student's ability to understand written German through a variety of texts and question types, including short-answer, multiple-choice, and translation questions. Key skills include interpreting and analysing texts, recognizing high-frequency vocabulary, understanding grammar and sentence structure, and using reading strategies like skimming and scanning.

The GCSE German listening paper tests the ability to understand and respond to spoken German in various formal and informal contexts. Key skills include comprehending different audio formats (short conversations, monologues, longer passages) and answering a range of question types, such as multiple-choice, short-answer, and transcription (dictation).

The GCSE German writing paper tests a range of skills, including communicating information and ideas, accuracy in grammar and vocabulary, and creating coherent and extended texts.

The GCSE German speaking paper assesses communication skills through a role-play, a reading aloud task, a photo card discussion, and an unprepared conversation, requiring students to speak with increasing fluency, accuracy, and spontaneity. Key skills tested include: communication and coherence, range and accuracy of language (including three tenses and complex structures), and pronunciation and intonation.

 

​I will support with GCSE exam strategies:

• to revise key topics

• to extend your range of  vocabulary

• to improve accuracy through grammar

• to develop confidence in speaking

• to create an idea bank for speaking and writing topics

• to tackle translations

• to practise mock exams in real time

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A levels are fully linear, with students sitting their exam at the end of a two year course. AS students can go on to take the A level in year 2, but the AS qualification will not count towards the A level.

Components are:

- Set literature at A level (choice of text or film at AS). All assessed through a target language essay.

- Independent research project at A level assessed within the speaking exam.

- Compulsory themes: social issues and trends, political and/or intellectual and/or artistic culture.

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I will support with A level exam strategies:

• to acquire a diverse vocabulary and culturally appropriate idiomatic expressions

• to create language use (as opposed to memorised expressions)

• to improve translations through language concepts

• to gain a better understanding of essay writing

• to increase language fluency

• to practise mock exams in real time

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