YEAR 8

From Year 8 those pupils considered best able to pursue a second modern foreign language successfully will begin German.  This represents approximately 60% of the year group.  The remaining pupils will continue with French only.  Pupils starting German will work quickly to acquire new language and develop all four language skills.  There will be a more rapid rate of progress with the second language as pupils will be able to draw on language learning skills and experience form Year 7.  Pupils follow the Logo course, which aims to promote the following:  language skills; grammar knowledge and skills; cultural awareness; the ability to work with others and independently.  Topics are revisited throughout the course for revision and extension work.

YEAR 9

In Year 9 pupils who began German in Year 8 continue their studies with the course book Logo 3. The emphasis on oral work remains high.  During the year pupils begin to express themselves more independently in both written and spoken terms. Their ability to understand and manipulate grammatical structures will also develop.

Unit 4
Medien
(Media)

Talking about films Inviting a friend to the cinema Talking about music What you did in the past Talking about your reading habits What you can do on a computer What you have done recently on a computer
Talking about a project week

Unit 2
Bei uns-bei euch
(at home ? abroad)

Reasons for liking/disliking subjects
Comparing subjects
What you are not allowed to do
Plans for next term
Comparing your school with a German school Showing someone around school

Unit 5
Jobs und Geld
(jobs and money)

Talking about part-time jobs
Qualities needed for jobs
What you are saving for
Counting to 10,000
Talking about clothes
Buying clothes
Talking about what you will do with your money

Unit 3
?sterreich und die Umwelt
(Austria)

Why people visit Austria
Saying what you can do in all weathers
What people did on a visit
Where you live
What you can do to help the environment
Letter to a tourist office
Austria website

Unit 6
Kein Problem
(no problem)

Talking about your family
What you are/are not allowed to do at home Talking about problems
Talking about your resolutions
Writing a letter of introduction
Interviewing an older person

Pupils continue to be set according to ability, with two sets in each half year.  These groups will have 2 periods of German each week.

ASSESSMENT

Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing are assessed throughout the year.  Common assessment tasks are completed once at the end of the year.

Pupils have one homework task per week.  They might include learning vocabulary, written exercises to master grammatical points, learning short conversations, writing letters and reading activities.

GCSE

At the end of Year 9, pupils are organised in teaching groups according to their ability in the language.  The top sets follow the AQA A linear GCSE specification and the middle ability groups follow the AQA B Modular GCSE course.  In both GCSE courses pupils are assessed in four skill areas:  listening; speaking; reading; writing.

The AQA B Modular GCSE German course

The course is divided into four modules, which are completed during years 10 and 11.  The course combines both continuous and terminal assessments.  The final exam in the summer of Year 11 represents only 50% of the GCSE grade achieved, the other 50% having been completed prior to this.  Some of the tests are marked internally and pupils are able to receive instant feedback on their progress.  The marking system is clear and structured, and as pupils gain points they see their progress through the grades.

Topics covered during the 2-year course will include Self, Family and Friends, Life at Home, Free time and Leisure, School and the World of Work, Travel and Tourism, the Environment and Society.

Pupils sit listening and reading exams in January, each lasting 30 minutes.  They are externally marked.  In addition, pupils will record a speaking task in school on cassette, which is assessed internally by the class teacher.  This module is worth 15% of the final GCSE grade.

This module tests the skills of Listening and Reading only and the assessment is in the form of an external exam in June.  It is worth a further 15% of the final GCSE grade.

This module is assessed internally and moderated externally.  The pupils do two pieces of written coursework and prepare a second speaking cassette.  The module is worth a further 20% of the final GCSE grade.

This external exam is worth 50% of the final GCSE grade.  The exams cover all four skills.

Pupils following the AQA B Modular course can achieve the full range of grades A* - G.  In Module 3, pupils submit work first and their entry level is determined by outcome.  In Modules 1,2, and 4 pupils are entered for the appropriate tier, either Foundation or Higher, prior to the exam.

Pupils are expected to complete regular homework assignments.  These will include learning vocabulary and verb formations, practice in the use of grammatical structures, reading and writing exercises.  Pupils will also be expected to prepare for speaking coursework cassettes at home.

The AQA A Linear GCSE German course

The AQA A linear GCSE is a 100% terminal assessment course and the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are equally weighted.  Pupils are assessed regularly by the department during the 2 years prior to the examination and after the mock examinations in Year 11, pupils are entered at either Foundation or Higher level in each of the skill areas.

Topics covered during the 2-year course will include Self, Family and Friends, Life at Home, Free time and Leisure, School and the World of Work, Travel and Tourism, the Environment and Society.

Pupils listen to authentic taped material from Fokus Deutsch f?r AQA, Fokus Deutsch Hilfe and other sources.  They respond in a variety of ways to demonstrate their understanding of what they have heard.  These include multiple choice questions, gap-filling and questions in both French and English.

In class, pupils will participate in conversation and role-plays on a wide range of topics.  They will also complete speaking presentations at home or in school on cassette in preparation for the GCSE oral exam.

Pupils will read a variety of different texts from course books, individual readers, newspaper and magazine articles, notices, timetables, brochures, advertisements and menus, computer programmes and the Internet etc.  The emphasis is on authentic material in context.  Comprehension is tested by means of a variety of different tasks and exercises.

Tasks will include practice in writing formal and informal letters, producing posters and leaflets, postcards, narratives and short stories.

Pupils are expected to complete regular homework assignments.  These will include learning vocabulary and verb formations, practice in the use of grammatical structures, reading and writing exercises.