German
A desire to open the world to our students, to foster the skills of tolerance and inquiry as well as to embed an eagerness to be the best that they can be both linguistically and socially, underpins the intent of the Modern Foreign Language curriculum here at St. Barts.
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher
All Year 7 students at St Bart’s learn a language (French or German). The language studied is dependent on the House to which the students belong. Most Year 8 students then move on to learn 2 languages and choose to add to their Year 7 subject with either French, German or Spanish.
All Year 9 students learn a language, opting to continue with one or both of the languages they studied in Year 8.
The department offers lots of co-curricular activities from clubs, to competitions such as our Cultural Poster Competition and the annual MFL Karaoke competition! You can also read more about our international links.
Examination Board: AQA
Please note that in 2025/26 (Year 12 intake) we are not able to offer the A Level German course.
Course Description
A Level German builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained in GCSE. Students will study German-speaking language, culture and society and, through this study, foster a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity.
Students will learn how German-speaking society has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change in its role as a powerful global presence, as it looks forward to the future. Students will explore aspects of the artistic life of German-speaking countries and consider reunification and its consequences, alongside the German political landscape, both in relation to Germany itself and its place in Europe.
Students will have the opportunity to study German literature and film, developing their German-speaking language skills through the use of spoken and written sources in German. Students will build their ability to appreciate, analyse and respond critically in writing in German to the work they have studied.
During lessons, alongside written work, students will take part in debate, discussion and presentations building their confidence in this valuable skill. To complement the classroom lessons and to help develop fluency, students in the Sixth Form have weekly lessons with our German assistant on a two-to-one or one-to-one basis.
Assessment
This is a linear course. This means that students opting for this subject will be committing to a two-year linear course, with all units examined at the end of year 13.
Entry Requirements
A grade 6 or higher in GCSE German is required.
Where might it lead?
A Level Modern Foreign Languages can help open doors to careers in/as:
- Academic Researcher
- Archeologist
- Art Historian
- Cabin Crew
- Diplomatic Service Officer
- English as a Foreign Language Teacher
- Intelligence Analyst
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Interpreter
- Journalist
- Logistics and Distribution Manager
- Political Risk Analyst
- Publishing Rights Manager
- Teacher
- Translator/Tutor
- Travel Consultant
- Tour Manager
- Writer
Student Destinations
Weronika Czekaj
2024 Offers from:
- University of Exeter – Flexible Combined Honours with Study Abroad
- Royal Holloway, University of London – Mathematics with German
- University of Sheffield – Mathematics with German
- University of Southampton – Mathematics with German