Really need German A-level help

Is anyone in year 12 and doing German A-level? I neeeed to know I'm not the only one finding it stupidly hard. I did well at GCSE (8) but A level is so hard - the jump in my other subjects isn't nearly as difficult. I don't even find it fun anymore. I've started dreading the lessons and I can't drop because I only take 3 a levels. Is anyone feeling the same way?

Is anyone in year 12 and doing German A-level? I neeeed to know I'm not the only one finding it stupidly hard. I did well at GCSE (8) but A level is so hard - the jump in my other subjects isn't nearly as difficult. I don't even find it fun anymore. I've started dreading the lessons and I can't drop because I only take 3 a levels. Is anyone feeling the same way?

Hey, I finished my A-level German last summer and did Edexcel German so if you need any help let me know! I am also a native speaker so if you need help with speaking practice DM me.

Hi @Godisgood1234
I did my A Levels a few years ago now, but I remember feeling this exact same way about starting German A Level.
I also, like you, got an 8 in my GCSEs so I thought taking it for A Level would be relatively easy, but I soon found quite a big jump. When I first started out, a few of my classmates dropped it which was pretty tempting as I found it difficult. But, I did manage to stick to it with lots of perseverance. And it actually became my favorite subject by the end of my A Levels.
When I first started year 12, I was getting Ds and even Es in some of the practice exams and essays we did, but I managed to finish with an A - so there is 100% time and ability to improve. I will say that it didn't necessarily become an easier subject as time went on, but as I became more comfortable and confident with the language and what was required of me at A Level standard, I was able to improve my grades. It was a steady incline of improvement throughout my sixth form experience, and keeping up with the language regularly really helped with my progress. So take this as reassurance that it is possible to improve.
I don't know if you feel this too, but when I first started I was actually scared of getting things wrong in the lessons, which I think held me back as I wouldn't ask questions or contribute to group activities. But when I stopped worrying about this and was active in the lessons, I felt much better and enjoyed the lessons much more. I also had a native German speaker in my class, which was intimidating at first, but I became friends with this student which actually helped me improve as we practiced and revised together.
One thing that really helped me was going on the exchange trip organized by my sixth form. I appreciate not every sixth form or college will offer this, or not every student is able to go, but if you do get the opportunity I would 100% recommend it. Don't get me wrong, it was scary at first, but I found being surrounded by the language for a few consecutive days really improved my speaking ability. And it was also really nice to experience someone else's lifestyle.
I know not everyone will be able to do an exchange, but some other ways to engage with the language outside of your lessons could be listening to German musicians, watching German TV shows or even getting in touch with your tutors about the possibility of connecting with a German school to develop a 'pen pal' type scheme. I found the more expose I had to the language, the more I improved.
I also understand that you may still feel uncomfortable at the moment and may feel like German A Level is not for you. I know you're studying three A Levels, so dropping the subject isn't really an option, but you could possibly get in touch with your school about the possibility of swapping to an alternative subject. I think reaching out to your German teacher would also be useful to see how they can help you out.
I hope things start to pick up for you and you continue with German. I really enjoyed it and I found it my most rewarding subject by the end, so I hope you're able to keep it up. 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU

Thank you 😊. Just out of curiosity was A-level German easy as a native speaker?

thanks for your message it was really encouraging. I'm in a 2 person class so not participating is not really an option 🤣. But I can't lie it has helped me with my confidence levels

I was in the same situation!

Is anyone in year 12 and doing German A-level? I neeeed to know I'm not the only one finding it stupidly hard. I did well at GCSE (8) but A level is so hard - the jump in my other subjects isn't nearly as difficult. I don't even find it fun anymore. I've started dreading the lessons and I can't drop because I only take 3 a levels. Is anyone feeling the same way?

German is my mother tongue and I had read a lot in German literature. Ask your questions, could be that I am a big help for you.

Hey, I finished my A-level German last summer and did Edexcel German so if you need any help let me know! I am also a native speaker so if you need help with speaking practice DM me.

Is anyone in year 12 and doing German A-level? I neeeed to know I'm not the only one finding it stupidly hard. I did well at GCSE (8) but A level is so hard - the jump in my other subjects isn't nearly as difficult. I don't even find it fun anymore. I've started dreading the lessons and I can't drop because I only take 3 a levels. Is anyone feeling the same way?

Hey I'm in Year 12 as well! I'm good at learning vocab, it's just applying it to everything that I struggle with! I've tried making german friends online, but they all just talk in german. Which book + film are you doing? I'm doing Das Leben der Anderen and der Vorleser (?) i think. And AQA. My UCAS exams are in a month, and IM PANICKING!

I'm doing Good Bye Lenin. I've watched Das Leben Der Anderen in school. Mine are in a month as well. Yay - I'm doing AQA as well! Yeah learning vocab isn't too difficult - I think I'm most worried for speaking

How are you revising german? I learn vocab, but when I do a listening, there's still so many unfamiliar words! Same with the reading.

My German language assistant suggested watching German TV shows to help with listening and understanding conversations. Reading in German helps as well. I think the idea is to kinda immerse yourself in the language as much as possible

Thanks! I've been trying to listen to german songs as much as possible (love pashanim). I don't watch TV shows that often, but I do watch Tagesschau whenever possible

You're welcome! I haven't tried listening to German songs - I might try that

How are you revising german? I learn vocab, but when I do a listening, there's still so many unfamiliar words! Same with the reading.

Is anyone in year 12 and doing German A-level? I neeeed to know I'm not the only one finding it stupidly hard. I did well at GCSE (8) but A level is so hard - the jump in my other subjects isn't nearly as difficult. I don't even find it fun anymore. I've started dreading the lessons and I can't drop because I only take 3 a levels. Is anyone feeling the same way?