German
German is the second modern language taught to
GCSE, AS and A level. It is also taught as a major A1 &
B subject for the International Baccalaureate.
- to promote German as a language students of all abilities
- for pupils to develop the ability to use German effectively for
purposes of practical communication
- to offer insights into the culture and civilisation of Germany,
Austria and Switzerland
- to instill appropriate study skills, so that pupils are
equipped to pursue further their learning of German or to undertake
the acquisition of other languages
- to prepare our students for their futures, benefiting from
being multilingual.
Pupils begin German in Year 8. Thereafter
at least one set continues up to GCSE (Edexcel) in Year 11.
In recent years the majority of our candidates have passed with B,
A or A* grades. We have introduced new courses, which
have an innovative and interactive approach to both grammar and
vocabulary - this allows pupils to build up their own reference
material and increases fluency with emphasis on communication as
well as accuracy. We supplement the course with a range of other
authentic materials, a proportion of which we receive directly from
sources in Germany and Austria. As a school, we also benefit from
our International Baccalaureate assisting our younger learners
through in-class support. Every year we have a native-speaking
foreign language assistant from the German-speaking World, who
assist both in classroom teaching, while also providing one-to-one
support for our students. Students also have the opportunity to
take part in Linguafest (a languages competition held between
independent schools in the South West). Germanists consistently
perform well.
In the Sixth Form we follow the WJEC syllabus
and specifications. The A and AS level course builds on a
number of the topics first encountered at GCSE and develops them
further with a particular slant. Seventeen and eighteen year-olds
will be able to relate easily to the subjects under discussion.
Teaching style and methodology also encourages more independent
learning, thus preparing the students for the challenges of their
life after they leave us. Using a wide range of materials
(newspaper and magazine articles, video and audio media, posters,
advertisements, internet) students discuss and write about topics
such as the 'world of work', the leisure industry, 'health and
fitness', drugs and alcohol, contemporary politics, the
environment, education and training, food and travel and other
related issues. The students' knowledge of 'German' in the
widest sense of the word is encouraged through study of both
literature and film studies. Sixth form Germanists are encouraged
to undertake independent study and to spend some time in Germany or
Austria during their holidays. Opportunities for this
abound. Since September 2009 we have offered German as a
Higher Level literature-based IB course for those of native-speaker
standard. Since September 2010, we have successfully taught
German A1 and German B for the International Baccalaureate.
We have run successful exchange schemes and
language-study visits to Hamburg, Passau, Berlin and Munich
(Pictured). Our next trip is to Vienna in 2012. The trips are
organised every two years and all year groups are welcome!
Participants derive cultural awareness, confidence and linguistic
benefit from these visits. Thus, we see participation in the
visits as an integral part of the courses we offer.