A Level GermanSeptember 2017

Herzlichen Glückwunsch/Willkommen!

Congratulations! You have picked the most interesting and useful A level that is on offer. Now as German teachers we may of course be biased however it is a fact that an A level in German is highly valued by universities and employers as it is known to be the most powerful language in Europe. We are therefore delighted to be embarking on the A level German course with you here at King Ecgbert School.

The content of A level German is both stimulating and relevant in today’s society. This is a course which allows you to master the German language whilst teaching you about the culture of German speaking countries. The course will enable you to develop your linguistic skills alongside your understanding of the culture of societies where German is spoken.

Throughout your studies, you will learn the language in the context of German-speaking countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them. Classroom activities and assessment tasks will be both engaging and will really develop your listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation skills. You will also study a novel, a film and carry out an independent research project on an area of interest to you.

You will have five hours of lessons per week in school and you should expect to spend at least this amount of time outside of the classroom on homework tasks. You will also have a weekly conversation lesson with the German assistant. If you miss a lesson for any reason it is imperative that you catch up as quickly as possible by going to see the teacher concerned.

The most successful students at A level are those who seek to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Germany and German speaking countries and as such we will continuously provide you with resources and opportunities to do so!

It is also key to ask for help when you need it. Don’t hesitate to find us if you are unsure about any aspect of the course. Our non-teaching timetables can be found in the MFL resource area but please call in at any time for help and support.

Alternatively send us an email:

Miss Cromarty: lcromarty@ecgbert.sheffield.sch.uk Mrs Lowes: alowes@ecgbert.sheffield.sch.uk

We look forward to working with you over the next two years and hope you enjoy the course as much as we do.

Miss Cromarty and Mrs Lowes

What is A level German? We follow the AQA exam board specification.

Course Content:

In the first year of the course (Y12) you will study the following topics:

3.1.1. Aspects of German speaking society

The sub-topics which are covered in this module are:

The changing state of the family The digital world Youth culture: fashion and trends, music and television

3.2.1. Artistic culture in the German speaking world.

The sub-topics which are covered in this module are:

Festivals and traditions Art and architecture Cultural life in Berlin, past and present

Novel: Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink. One of the most controversial novels in modern German literature this book tells the story of the relationship between a 15 year old boy and a 36 year old woman whilst giving you an insight into the struggles that the post-war generation faces in dealing with Germany’s past.

In the second year of the course (Y13) you will further develop your knowledge of the German language and culture by studying:

3.1.2. Multiculturalism in German speaking society

The sub-topics which are covered in this module are:

Immigration Integration Racism

3.2.2. Aspects of political life in the German speaking world

The sub-topics which are covered in this module are:

Germany and the European Union Politics and youth German reunification and its consequences

Film: Goodbye Lenin Wolfgang Becker . The film Goodbye Lenin is a comedy set in Berlin. The film tells the story of the Kerner family during the fall of the Berlin wall. This film gives an amusing and touching insight into life in Germany as East Germany comes to an end.

Assessment At the end of the two year course you will sit the following examinations:

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hours 30 minutes)

There are 100 marks available and the paper is worth 50% of the A level mark

Listening and responding to spoken passages from a range of contexts and sources (you have an individual computer and you have control of the recording).

Reading and responding to a variety of texts written for different purposes, drawn from authentic sources.

Translation into English; a passage of minimum 100 words. Translation into German; a passage of minimum 100 words.

Paper 2: Writing (2 hours)

There are 80 marks available and this counts for 20% of the A level mark

One essay on the book Der Vorleser (choice of two questions) One essay on the film Goodbye Lenin (choice of two questions)

Paper 3: Speaking (21-23 minutes including 5 minutes preparation time)

There are 60 marks available and the paper is worth 30% of the overall A level mark

Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5 – 6 minutes). You study the card for 5 minutes at the start of the test

Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9 – 10 minutes) of individual research project

Y12 Teaching Structure

We will be teaching the themes in the following order. This is to ensure that you re-visit different aspects of each theme and that it does not therefore end up forgotten. The course is planned so that you are able to gradually build up your language skills whilst also deepening your understanding of the cultural elements and topic areas.

Week Theme Grammar focus1 Transition Present tense

Haben and sein Common irregular verb patterns/ using a

verb table

2 Transition Perfect tense Future tense Word order

3 Beziehungen innerhalb der Familie

Present tense including modal verbs

4 Y12 Suitability assessments Tense formation Word order

5 Das Internet Word order patterns: inversion, time-manner-place

6 Mode und Image Pronouns

7 Feste und Traditionen – ihre Wurzeln und Ursprünge

Imperfect/simple past tense

8 Künstler und Architekten Subordinate clause word order, including relative clauses

October Half Term

1 Berlin – geprägt durch seine Geschichte

Adjective endings

2 Partnerschaft und Ehe Perfect tense

3 Soziale Netzwerke Cases with prepositions

4 Die Bedeutung der Musik für Jugendliche

Cases with verbs

5 Feste und Traditionen – ihre soziale und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung heute

Separable, inseparable and reflexive verbs

6 Kunst und Architektur im Alltag Comparative and superlative

7 Theater, Musik und Museen in Berlin

Infinitive constructions with and without zu

Christmas Holidays1 Verschiedene Familienformen Word formation: adjectival nouns, verbal nouns,

compound nouns etc

Week Theme Grammar focus2 and 3 Die Digitalisierung der

Gesellschaft Der Vorleser by Bernhard

Schlink

Future tense and other ways of expressing future time (e.g present tense + future expression of time)

4 and 5 Die Rolle des Fernsehens Der Vorleser by Bernhard

Schlink

Conditional tenseImperative

6 Y12 Internal Exams/ Study Leave All grammar covered so far to be on the exam

February Half Term1 and 2 Vielfältige Feste und

Traditionen in verschiedenen Regionen

Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink

Reflexive verbs

3 and 4 Kunst und Architektur – Vergangenheit, Gegenwart, Zukunft

Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink

Pluperfect tense

5 Die Vielfalt innerhalb der Bevölkerung Berlins

Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink

Imperfect subjunctive in conditional clausesPassive with werden (see 4.1 for grammar exercises)

Easter Holidays1 Die Vielfalt innerhalb der

Bevölkerung Berlins (cont) Der Vorleser by Bernhard

Schlink

Imperfect subjunctive in conditional clauses

2 Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink Passive with werden (see 4.1 for grammar exercises)

3 Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink Reported speech.

4 Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink AL to deliver skills this + revision of all of the above grammar

5 Revision of Year 1 AL to deliver skills this week + revision of all of the above grammar

6 Y12 Internal Exam All grammar covered this year

Week Theme Grammar focusMay Half Term1 Internal Exam Feeback and

ResponseAll grammar issues arising from the paper

2 Launch of Independent Research Project

3 Independent Research Project4 Independent Research Project

5 Goodbye Lenin by Wolfgang Becker

6 Goodbye Lenin by Wolfgang Becker

In Y12 Miss Cromarty will be delivering four lessons a week and will teach topic work, some grammar and the novel. Mrs Lowes will be delivering one lesson a week and will teach grammar and some skills work.

Help Available

As with all A level courses there is a significant jump from GCSE to A level. One of the biggest differences is in the way that we tackle language learning. Unlike at GCSE level you will not be learning chunks of text. We will support you so that you are comfortable with producing written language based on the question asked and speaking the language spontaneously. In the exams you will not have access to dictionaries or other reference materials so we will work on developing your language and memory skills.

To work on this at home try to access authentic German materials little and often. Build listening to online German radio or television into your daily routine. Access Vlogs and blogs on the way to or from school from your smart phone or hand held device. Read German newspapers and magazines online.

Tips for Success

Get organised!

Buy a large ring binder over the summer and 30 paper/card file dividers. Then get your file sorted ready for September. We are stereotypically German (!) about folders so please have all of these sections:

1. Course Information2. Homework response sheets3. Family: relationships4. Family: marriage & Partnership5. Family: different family types6. Family: vocab7. The digital world: the internet8. The digital world: social networking sites9. The digital world: the digitalisation of society10.The digital world: vocab11.Youth culture: fashion and image12.Youth culture: music 13.Youth culture: TV14.Youth culture: vocab15.Festivals & traditions: roots & origins16.Festivals & traditions: social & economic significance17.Festivals & traditions: different traditions in different regions18.Festivals & traditions: vocab19.Art & architecture: artists & architects20.Art & architecture: influence on everyday life21.Art & architecture: past, present & future22.Art & architecture: vocab23.Berlin: its history24.Berlin: culture25.Berlin: multiculturalism26.Berlin: vocab27.Der Vorleser: class notes28.Der Vorleser: my essays29.Grammar

Ask questions!

If something doesn’t make sense in lessons, please ask. The chances are that you won’t be the only person who’s unsure!

Ask for help!The most successful students are those who seek help early on. Ask your German teacher, ask the German assistant or ask a friend- just don’t sit and struggle!

Keep up to date with your work!

You will be set regular homework by each of your German teachers. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Once you get behind with work it is difficult to catch up. If you are having difficulties managing your workload, speak to your teacher early on and we will help!

Develop positive working routines!When you do not have a lesson develop a routine for getting ready and starting work at a certain time every day. Plan some dedicated time to do homework for each subject and ensure that you also plan some free time so that you can rest.

Develop positive learning routines and techniques for memorising vocabulary and structures!Set aside some dedicated weekly vocabulary and grammar learning time. Be active: make vocab cards and grammar test cards- they work! Make contacts in the class and work together, test one another and ask questions of each other or your teacher if you do not understand. Watch the TED talk by Josh Foer: Feats of Memory Anyone can do if you want some extra tips!

Speak in the target language whenever (and wherever!) possible!It would be fantastic if we could all go to Germany every weekend but that of course isn’t possible….so make the most of opportunities to speak the language. When you have German lessons don’t expect to speak English- speak German. Speak as much as possible to the German assistant and arrange to meet up within the class to do some German speaking. Head into Sheffield when the Christmas markets arrive and have a chat to the stall holders in German!

Use reference materials effectively!Invest in a large German/English dictionary (this doesn’t have to be before September and we will guide you on which ones are best in September) and make sure that you feel confident in using it effectively (there are copies in the school library). Until that point why not get the leo app on your phone (or use it on the internet)- it’s one of the better online dictionaries. http://www.leo.org/

German Further Reading/ Viewing/ Listening List

You won’t start A level German and suddenly be able to watch whole German films or read whole German books without our help. However, the more you do, the easier it will become.

Films!Everyone loves a good film so what could be better than watching a German film which will not only help your German but also teach you a thing or two about German culture? Why not head into the foreign film section of HMV (or go on amazon) and watch some German films (with subtitles) to get you started. Some recommendations are:

Das Leben der Anderen (The lives of others) Der Untergang (The Downfall) Die Fälscher (The Counterfeiters) Die fetten Jahren sind vorbei (The Edukators) Lola rennt (Run, Lola, Run!)

Music!

Listening to German music really helps with your pronunciation and your vocab as the natural linguist in you will want to find out what the lyrics mean. Why not get on youtube and start researching some German bands or singers? This may be a good starting point…

Tokio Hotel Helene Fischer

News!

http://www.dw.com/de The deutsche Welle website is a great resource for A level German students. You can watch

the news daily at http://www.dw.com/de/tv/der-tag/s-32615 which is spoken at a slightly slower speed than normal. You will find it tricky to start with but the more you listen, the easier it will get.

You can also read quite a lot of articles on the website too about current affairs in Germany- great for those A level cultural knowledge marks (known as AO4).