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ISI INSPECTION REPORT - JUNE 2021
A Level Course Outline
Why choose Edexcel A Level German?
Languages broaden the mind and broaden horizons, both in terms of employability and personal growth. They should therefore appeal to all students and the Edexcel A-level in German has been developed to inspire students to have an appreciation of the language, literature, film and culture of the German-speaking world.
Inspiring and engaging Themes
The qualification features popular and thought-provoking themes as well as content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and interesting aspects of the culture of German speaking countries and communities.
Popular literary texts and films
A rich choice of literary texts and films are available to study, which includes contemporary and more classical titles, together with authentic source materials from Germany and the wider German-speaking world.
Rewards creativity
The assessments place an emphasis on spontaneity and grammar, as well as providing plenty of opportunities for students to apply their knowledge independently and creatively. Clear mark schemes encourage students to develop ideas and use language to persuade and analyse and give critical responses in their writing and speaking.
Clear and coherent structure
The qualification has a straightforward structure with four engaging themes: 1. Social Issues and Trends in Germany (the environment, the world of work and education); 2. Culture in German speaking society (music, media and the role of festivals and traditions); 3. Immigration and multiculturalism in Germany; and 4. Germany before and after Reunification. The four themes are studied alongside two works (either two literary texts, or a one text and one film) and are assessed through two externally-examined papers and one teacher assessment (the oral exam).
Manageable content
Content is manageable and appropriate, so that students can be confident that they have enough time to cover what they need to at the appropriate depth.
Continuous progression and Assessment
The exam content builds on the understanding developed at Key Stage 4 and gives students the opportunity to learn and apply important transferable skills in critical thinking and analysis, enabling them to make a smooth transition to the next level of study. If a two year A Level course is being taken, then Themes 1 and 2 and one literary work or film are studied and examined in the first year and Themes 3 and 4 and the second literary work, or the film, are studied in the second year. All four themes are then assessed in the final A Level examination.
German (EDX) A level Specification | |
Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation Written examination: 2 hours This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four Themes. Students are not permitted access to a dictionary during the examination. |
Section A: Listening (30 marks)
Section B: Reading (30 marks)
Section C: Translation into English (20 marks) |
Paper 2: Written response to works and translation
Written examination: 2 hours and 40 minutes This paper draws on the study of two discrete German works: either two literary texts, or one literary text and one film. The literary texts listed include a range of classic and contemporary novels, a series of short stories and plays. All of the films are feature length. This paper includes a translation exercise and two essays on either two literary texts, or one literary text and one film (students must not answer questions on two films). Students are not permitted access to a dictionary or any documentation relating to the works during the examination. |
Section A: Translation (20 marks)
Section B: Written response to works (literary texts) (50 marks)
Section C: Written response to works (literary text or films) (50 marks) |
Paper 3: Speaking
Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes, which includes a single period of 5 minutes' formal preparation time |
Task 1, c.6 mins, (discussion on a Theme)
Task 2, c.12 mins, (presentation and discussion on independent research) |
Core Textbook |
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Further reading
http://www.dw.com/en/learn-german/s-2469, www.spiegel.de,
https://www.zdf.de/, https://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/en/sta/lon.html,
www.ard.de, http://www.ardmediathek.de/tv, www.dw.de
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