German
German lessons start in year 8 or 9 and lead to a GCSE qualification in year 11. Learning to speak a modern foreign language provides our students with valuable cross-cultural skills and gives them a genuine insight into the ways of living and thinking in other countries. Although one key element of the language lessons is preparation towards a successful GCSE examination, we also aim to provide our pupils with a hands-on experience of Germany through various trips to the country.
One of the highlights in year 9 is the legendary - now running for more than ten years! – German trip to the holiday village of Oberhambach near Trier. For one week pupils and teachers immerse themselves into German language and culture. We shop, cook and talk together, visit the splendid city of Trier with its impressive Roman remains, go on a beautiful cruise down the Rhine valley with its picturesque villages - and we meet some Germans along the way too!
We also have strong links with the Maria Ward School in Munich, where year 10 and 11 pupils can spend a week with host families and enjoy a packed programme of visits and activities as well as experience life in a German grammar school. Munich offers us a remarkably wide range of experiences, from ancient churches to the shiny new “BMW Welt” exhibition, from the awful memories of Dachau – now an important memorial – to the boisterous noise of the Hofbräuhaus (no beer though!). Past pupils have gained a great deal from these trips and came back to Battle with valuable memories and firm friendships.
Course details of the GCSE German examination (OCR)
Unit title and description Assessment incl. duration Weighting
Unit A701: Listening
Candidates will:
• Listen for, identify and note main points and extract some details from spoken German of increasing length, speed and complexity
• Demonstrate their understanding of German with a variety of non-verbal responses and some short answers in English.
Written examination
Foundation tier – 35 minutes
Higher tier – 45 minutes 20% full course
40% spoken short course
Unit A702: Speaking
Using German, candidates will:
• Communicate in German in at least two topic areas either from a specified list or of their own choice
• Interact with other German speakers, expressing and justifying opinions where appropriate. Controlled assessment 30% full course. 60% spoken short course.
Unit A703: Reading
Candidates will:
• Read, identify and note main points and extract some details from written texts in German of increasing length, speed and complexity.
• Demonstrate their understanding of German with a variety of non-verbal responses and some short answers in English.
Written examination
50 minutes 20% full course
40% written short course
Unit A704: Writing
Using German, candidates will:
• Communicate in German in at least two topic areas either from a specified list or of their own choice
• Express and justify points of view in German where appropriate. Controlled assessment 30% full course 60% written short course.
Short Courses
OCR now also offers two Short Courses in GCSE German, one in the spoken language and one in the written language; both are equivalent to half a GCSE. This offers several advantages:
• There are only two units to complete
• Learners who are interested in a particular subject, but don't have time to study a full course, have more learning options
• Learners can study a wider range of subjects
• Students can complement their studies by taking additional short courses
• Short courses can be spread over one or two years.
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