German A level

What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?

If you already have knowledge of a variety of topics, and can express your opinions, you are ready to build on this at A level. You will learn about different aspects of German culture, literature and/or film, and be able to use more complex grammar and more vocabulary. This enables you to really develop an understanding of the language, the countries where it is spoken and the people who speak it.

What will I learn? A level German helps you explore a wide range of topics, which will add to your understanding of the language and country. Topics are: evolving society in German; political and artistic culture in German-speaking countries; immigration and multiculturalism in Germany; the German Reunification. The books (or book and film) you study may link to the topics, giving you further insight into German culture. You will also learn new grammar and vocabulary and you will be able to translate into and out of German. You will develop your critical thinking, creativity, independence and skills of analysis. You will also develop skills to be able to learn other languages.

How will I be assessed?You will take three exams which make up the total available. Paper 1 is 40% of the total marks; Paper 2 is 30% and Paper 3 is 30%. You will be given a certificate with a grade between E and A* with A* being the highest.

Paper 1 (40%) Listening, reading and translation You will answer multiple choice and comprehension questions in German on a variety of recordings. In the reading section, you will also answer multiple choice and comprehension questions in German, based on a variety of written passages. You will also translate a passage from German into English.

Paper 2 (30%) Written response to works, grammar and translationYou will write about two books or one book and one film that you have studied throughout the year. There will also be a translation of a passage from English into German.

Paper 3 (30%) SpeakingBefore this exam you will have 5 minutes to prepare a discussion based on a stimulus card you are given. You will then discuss the topic of the card with your examiner. You’ll also give a presentation on an independent research project you will have conducted on a topic of your choice.

To be prepared for the study of A level German it is important to be able to engage readily in these skills.

Compulsory tasks – handed to your teacher FIRST LESSON BACK.

1. Watch this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lGm3qPHtDY&safe=activeWrite a short report of 100 words in German summarising your understanding of what happens in this episode. Any difficult descriptions should be tackled by trying to use words from your existing knowledge of vocabulary to explain the situation in the best way you feel able.

2.3. Play three of these sample videos. Press ‘pause’ after you listen to each sentence and repeat the sentence out

loud, pronouncing the words as closely as you can to the speaker. Note any difficult words for further practice.Note: you do not need to subscribe to the website, the sample videos are at the bottom and free to access.https://german.yabla.com/player_cdn.php?tlang_id=en&id=5699

4.

5. Read the attached document about the present tense of regular and irregular verbs in German and complete all the exercises for each and the review at the end.

6.7. Read the text below and answer the questions underneath in a paragraph of 100-200

words.

Verbs

Since, however, there are irregular wear verbs and certain predictable patterns for the strong verbs, we will not use the term regular and irregular verbs but will instead refer to verbs as weak, strong and mixed.

Since the patterns for the strong verbs and the irregular weak verbs are not fully predictable, it is essential to learn all the principal parts of such verbs when they are introduced.

The three principal parts of a verb that must be learned are the infinitive, the past tense, and the past participle. In some cases a fourth form of the German verb must also be memorized – the second or third person singular of the present tense, since a small group of strong verbs also have vowel changes in these forms. (The most common strong and mixed German Verbs are summarised in the Verb Chart on pp. 285-286.)

Study the principle parts of strong and weak verbs as illustrated by the verbs spielen (to play) and singen (to sing).

Strong VerbInfinitive SingenPast tense SangPast participle Gesungen

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

Weak and Strong Verbs

The simple present tense of both the weak and the strong verbs is formed by adding the personal endings for the present tense to the infinitive stem.

In German the infinitive is the dictionary form of the verb. Typically the infinitive ends in –en. A few end in –eln. –ern, -n. The infinitive stem is derived by dropping the –en or –n from the infinitive.

Infinitive Infinitive stemDenken Denk-Singen Sing-Handeln Handel-Wander Wander-Tun Tu-

The present tense personal endings that must be added to the infinitive stem are:

Simple Present = Infinitive Stem + Present Tense Personal Ending

Weak VerbInfinitive SpielenPast tense SpieltePast participle Gespielt