German A Level

Applications open: Now open!

Application close: 31 January 2026

How to Apply: - Please apply via Applicaa. Please click here to visit our sixth form information page on our website

We do not accept applications via KentChoices.

Entry Requirements: - 6.5 average point score, minimum of 4 in English Language and Maths GCSE. Entry grade criteria for A Level subjects chosen.

Why choose this subject?

Germany has an incredibly strong economy and a wealth of international links. Its contribution to research, music, art, design, film, dance, philosophy and theatre is considerable.

International law, careers in business, science and tourism - German can be studied in combination with just about any other subject at degree level e.g. Engineering, Law, Philosophy, Psychology. German can be a useful additional skill in any career, as it ranks among the top 10 most frequently spoken languages in the world and plays an important role in many countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.

A modern language is a highly-regarded life skill. Competitive areas such as law, medical schools, management consultancy, accountancy, international press agencies, the media, advertising, the Foreign Office and the performing arts actively seek students with a broad base of A-levels, able to offer a modern foreign language at a higher level. Employers value not only the knowledge of the language and culture, but also the transferrable analytical and organisational skills.

For further reasons on why it is beneficial to learn German, please visit the Goethe Institute website at http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/zgd/en867247.htm.

Why study it at The Judd School?

German is taught at The Judd School by two experienced specialists who are native speakers. Lessons are conducted in the target language where appropriate, and students should be prepared to use it as their principal means of communication. Class sizes are small, and an effective working relationship with individualised guidance can be established very quickly.

Visits to German-speaking countries are strongly encouraged and the school organises a German exchange with the Adolf-Reichwein-Gymnasium in Heusenstamm near Frankfurt. This programme is combined with a week’s work experience and has been run successfully since 2007. In addition, students have the opportunity to visit the Christmas markets in Cologne every other year. Furthermore, accompanied visits to AS/A2 study days, as well as to relevant films and plays, are arranged where appropriate.

A thorough grammatical grounding is essential and shall be further developed throughout the course. A wide range of materials is used to support the thematic approach to language learning and there is a smooth transition from GCSE to A-level.

What you will be learning (course outline):

Core content

1. Social issues and trends

2. Political and artistic culture

3. Grammar

4. Works: Literary texts and films e.g. ,,Das Leben der Anderen” (“The Lives of Others”) and the novel ,,Der Vorleser” (“The Reader”).

At A-level, students have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice that will be presented and discussed in the speaking examination.

Listening, reading and responding, communication (orally and in writing), learning about German speaking countries, evaluating information and developing arguments, presenting points of view, transferring meaning from English into German and vice versa.

We place considerable emphasis on a balanced approach to developing the four key skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Students are expected to be independently motivated and well-prepared for all lessons, as well as willing to read around the subject.

The new A-level German course is linear and will be assessed at the end of year 13.

The assessment consists of three Papers.

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation into English & German (50%)

Paper 2: Writing two essays in German. One essay on a set text from a choice of two questions and one question in German on a set film from a choice of two questions (20%)

Paper 3: Speaking on the individual research project and on one of the sub- themes from the core content e.g. Aspects of German-speaking society or Artistic culture in the German-speaking world or Multiculturalism in German-speaking society or Aspects of political life in German-speaking society (30%)

Internal assessment will be conducted at regular intervals to track and support students’ progress throughout the course.

Minimum Grade 7 at GCSE and basic grammar should be secure.