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German A level

How confident do you have to be to take german for A level? Do you have to be really fluent? Is there a huge leap from GCSE to A level? Sorry for so many questions but any response would be appreciated! :smile:

Reply 1

nearlyheadlessian

15

kutekittenx

How confident do you have to be to take german for A level? Do you have to be really fluent? Is there a huge leap from GCSE to A level? Sorry for so many questions but any response would be appreciated! :smile:

To be honest, the biggest jump between GCSE and A Level isn't in terms of spoken fluency, but in terms of having to understand what you're speaking. You'll need to get a much better grasp of the grammar your using and start to use the language by thinking on your own, rather than trotting out a lot of set phrases. In terms of spoken fluency, your GCSEs should set you up quite nicely as a lot of time is spent speaking/vocabulary skills. The important thing is to understand that an A in GCSE German will not equate to an A at A Level. Ask your teachers whether they think you're suited to the A Level, they'll hopefully give you frank advice. And of course, if you do take it, people will think more of you for doing so.

Reply 2

slevien1

10

kutekittenx

How confident do you have to be to take german for A level? Do you have to be really fluent? Is there a huge leap from GCSE to A level? Sorry for so many questions but any response would be appreciated! :smile:

I am currently studying A Level German, yes it is a huge leap from GCSE. (Not trying to sound big-headed) but i was the top of my class at GCSE, bit of a geek really. I found AS level German really challenging and it took me a long time to settle in and focus. Like GCSE, you will be required to take exams- listening and writing, reading and writing and an oral exam. I am certain that if you put the work in, you will be fine. The first time i sat my AS exams, I only achieved grade C's and D's.. took it the second time and achieved A's.. so it honestly is do-able. One thing i would say is to revise the topics as you learn them, don't leave it to the last minute :smile:

A2 German, again is much harder than AS, the topics which I am studying are politics, racism, Berlin, and the economy. Quite suprisingly, I am really enjoying the modules, and by doing extra research outside of lesson really helps.

If you really have a passion for German.. go for it :smile:

Reply 3

Rosamund123

10

You need a real love of German to take it to A Level. it requires a lot more commitment than other subjects - it took up about ten times more of my time than politics, for example! but if you love it, you'll get a lot out of it. german a level is great :smile:

Reply 4

User237126

15

All I can say is that the grammar is exhausting! lol, but if you really like german, go for it, I missed out on the A* at GCSE, but I'm doing fine so far with my AS :p:

Reply 5

Rosamund123

10

Bobo1234

All I can say is that the grammar is exhausting! lol, but if you really like german, go for it, I missed out on the A* at GCSE, but I'm doing fine so far with my AS :p:

hi! I just read your spoiler and I'm really excited to see you're doing German and music at A Level! how are you finding them? are you thinking of doing them at uni? sorry if this is a bit weird but it's really exciting to see other people who love german and music...!

Reply 6

User237126

15

Rosamund123

hi! I just read your spoiler and I'm really excited to see you're doing German and music at A Level! how are you finding them? are you thinking of doing them at uni? sorry if this is a bit weird but it's really exciting to see other people who love german and music...!

I'm loving german- Probably because languages in general are my passion, but the music is really hard, cos I didn't do it for GCSE and nor have I done my grade 5 theory... But I do love the performing, especially the singing :p:

Reply 7

username163092

19

It's evil. Okay, it's not really - my grasp of German grammar isn't as good as it could be, so I keep making silly mistakes.

However, I do quite enjoy the lessons, and the 'essays' aren't that bad to be honest (am in the middle of writing a 250 word 'essay' on smoking :wink:

) - if you practise grammar (get a good book - I quite like Aktion Grammatik! ) then that'll really help.

I would say I've improved a lot since GCSE (and I'm only doing AS at the moment), but as I've already said - the grammar! Thankfully, I have a teacher who's very keen on grammar, so that helps. Also, 'Advanced German Vocabulary' from Nelson Thornes is really good for, well vocab lol.

Listening questions are MUCH harder now, and I've found them quite difficult, but practise makes perfect (I'm a bit worried that I thought of the German phrase before writing the English lol). Oh, and livamocha.com is great for practising speaking and writing and having native speakers correct you - almost like having access to the language assistant 24/7.

Anyway, it is fun, and definitely worth doing!

Reply 8

kjc_us

14

I personally didn't find that there was a particularly big jump at all from GCSE to AS, but if you were to ask my friend who took German to AS, she would say that she found it okay at GCSE and then really struggled at AS. I actually think the jump from AS to A2 is bigger because at GCSE and AS, I don't care what anyone else says and I know people will contradict me, but you really don't need to know much grammar to get a good grade - at A2 on the other hand, if you don't understand grammar you are, quite frankly, ******. German in Sixth Form is not something to be taken lightly so I would only do it if you a) really enjoy it and b) don't find it too difficult - a challenge is great but impossible is not fun.

Personally I really enjoy German and find it interesting and mentally really stimulating - if you're up for a challenge then do it do it do. :smile:

Reply 9

username163092

19

kjc_us

I personally didn't find that there was a particularly big jump at all from GCSE to AS, but if you were to ask my friend who took German to AS, she would say that she found it okay at GCSE and then really struggled at AS. I actually think the jump from AS to A2 is bigger because at GCSE and AS, I don't care what anyone else says and I know people will contradict me, but you really don't need to know much grammar to get a good grade - at A2 on the other hand, if you don't understand grammar you are, quite frankly, ******. German in Sixth Form is not something to be taken lightly so I would only do it if you a) really enjoy it and b) don't find it too difficult - a challenge is great but impossible is not fun.

Personally I really enjoy German and find it interesting and mentally really stimulating - if you're up for a challenge then do it do it do. :smile:

Maybe not, but it certainly makes you feel more confident with your German, which improves your German overall.

Reply 10

kjc_us

14

steffi.alexa

Maybe not, but it certainly makes you feel more confident with your German, which improves your German overall.

I would have to disagree with this - your grammar may be amazing but if you've got a crap range of vocabulary your confidence just dies.

Reply 11

username163092

19

kjc_us

I would have to disagree with this - your grammar may be amazing but if you've got a crap range of vocabulary your confidence just dies.

Well, yes - but for me, I find the grammar harder. Plus, talking with the language assistant has somehow improved my vocab without my formally learning the words. :biggrin:

I hate...I mean love....grammar.

Reply 12

nearlyheadlessian

15

kjc_us

I would have to disagree with this - your grammar may be amazing but if you've got a crap range of vocabulary your confidence just dies.

The current teaching methods mean that most people start A Level German with a pretty good vocabulary, so to be honest the main issue is with structure and grammar. If you're using grammar badly then you're not speaking proper German, and that is what can lower confidence. Obviously you don't have to learn the grammar at AS, but it would be stupid to ignore it.

Reply 13

Brianstorm91

I'm absolutely petrified of my speaking exam, I can't stand that microphone shoved in my face, but back on track - grammar and vocabulary are what will keep you back/let you improve.

Reply 14

Rosamund123

10

Bobo1234

I'm loving german- Probably because languages in general are my passion, but the music is really hard, cos I didn't do it for GCSE and nor have I done my grade 5 theory... But I do love the performing, especially the singing :p:

yeah, music does become a lot more theory-based at a level. but the performance still makes up a lot of the course, so if you like it, you can keep doing it, and at A2 you can choose to specialise in it and end up doing a 20 minute recital :biggrin:

Reply 15

Chels201

Hey! I'm in my second year of German A-level and I am somehow getting through, not too sure how though! In answer to your question, yes it is a BIG jump from GCSE! I was really surprised, everything is so much more complex, I have trouble grasping grammer, which makes it difficult and it is a subject you need to work out and be commited to, or you'll fall behind like i did/am!

We can p/m if you'd like to talk more about!

Reply 16

Superstar6318

15

slevien1

I am currently studying A Level German, yes it is a huge leap from GCSE. (Not trying to sound big-headed) but i was the top of my class at GCSE, bit of a geek really. I found AS level German really challenging and it took me a long time to settle in and focus. Like GCSE, you will be required to take exams- listening and writing, reading and writing and an oral exam. I am certain that if you put the work in, you will be fine. The first time i sat my AS exams, I only achieved grade C's and D's.. took it the second time and achieved A's.. so it honestly is do-able. One thing i would say is to revise the topics as you learn them, don't leave it to the last minute :smile:

A2 German, again is much harder than AS, the topics which I am studying are politics, racism, Berlin, and the economy. Quite suprisingly, I am really enjoying the modules, and by doing extra research outside of lesson really helps.

If you really have a passion for German.. go for it :smile:

Excellent advice!

Reply 17

slevien1

10

Superstar6318

Excellent advice!

Haha, thanks! It's all true :yep:

Reply 18

Superstar6318

15

Good. I keep pondering whether to take it; my mind sometimes says I'm not going to be good at it and I'll probably hate it, but at other times I think to myself if I love German I will work hard for it.

I am scared though!

Reply 19

slevien1

10

Superstar6318

Good. I keep pondering whether to take it; my mind sometimes says I'm not going to be good at it and I'll probably hate it, but at other times I think to myself if I love German I will work hard for it.

I am scared though!

If worse comes to worse, and you think 'i can't do this' you can drop it! It's worth a try. I have to admit that i struggled at 6.1 but that was mainly due to not working as hard as i should of- hence my poor grades. If you do the work, pay attention in lesson, do extra work (ie grammar) outside of school, you will be fine- you'll be a pro hehe

German A level

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