German is the most sought-after language by employers (The Independent & The Times, April 2019)

With the recent political, economic and social changes it has never been more important to learn a second language and become a global citizen. Studying German, along with your expertise in, for example, Physics, Psychology, the Arts and Maths, will open up so many doors on your way through life, not just for your university and career prospects but for your social life, too.

For those interested in history, the arts and culture, while studying German, you will encounter many interesting facts about German-speaking countries’ festivities, TV shows, music and fashion as well as delving deep into the history of the socialist Democratic Republic of Germany comparing life in East German Berlin to the city it is now. Completing this course will not just leave you with a very good understanding of the European history, but will provide you with the skills to do your own research in not just one language, but two, with the opportunity to understand first-hand accounts of those who lived in pre- and post-war Germany.

If science, design and technology is your forte, studying German alongside your chosen sciences will allow you to access countless jobs in the UK and around Europe working with some of the best physicists, doctors, computer scientists and engineers. With the need for innovative ideas to protect the environment and people’s health or to provide optimum efficiency for consumers, biotech and engineering industries will be looking for those with the skills not just to develop their products but to communicate their message to colleagues and consumers all over the world.

Finally, if you are reading this you will probably have been studying German for the past five years now, you know yourself that the effort that goes into learning a second language helps build resilience and develops your ability to work as an individual and as a team. Employers and course providers will know this, recognising your determination and will value your work ethic.

So, whatever it is you are interested in, having German in your repertoire of many talents will, in the long run, be one of the best decisions you make. There is a reason why they call German the language of Dichter and Denker (poets and thinkers).

There will be the opportunity to take part in our German exchange, visiting Alfred-Amann Gymnasium in Bönnigheim, Baden-Württemberg and hosting, if possible, when the German students come to Harington.

German A level is highly regarded by universities and can lead to a wide variety of Degree courses and career opportunities. German can be combined with a variety of subjects such as international business, marketing, engineering, the Sciences and law. Studying German at A Level can also be combined with another language, such as French and Russian. The ability to write extensively in a second language also attracts employers in traditional careers such as teaching, translating and interpreting and civil service.

As well as many German universities offering scholarships to international students, there are opportunities to work and learn with businesses such as SAP, Bosch, Audi, Aldi and DHL.

The course is linear, and assessment is by three terminal examinations.

Paper 1: (2 1/2 hours)
Listening, reading, writing.
Grammar – translation

Paper 2: (2 hours)
Written responses in German to questions on the film and the text.

Paper 3: (21-23 minutes)
Speaking – Discussion of a sub-theme and individual research project.

For admission to A level German, our usual minimum requirements are:

• Students will need to have achieved a grade 6 or above in German.