AS GERMAN: Bridge the gap
Sommerheft
Name:
Introduction
Welcome to Ashton Sixth Form College and to German. I’m really pleased that you
have decided to study here and in particular, that you have decided to study German.
You have obviously already decided that studying German at AS and at A Level is a
good idea, but let me give you a few facts to show you how wise that decision was!!
 Over 100 million people speak German in Europe, out of a population of 500 million
and not just in Germany itself. Austria, a majority of Switzerland, Luxembourg and
Lichtenstein as well as other countries near to the German border also speak
German.
 German is the language for employment. Germany is Britain’s second largest trading
partner.
 Learning German at Ashton Sixth Form will allow you to learn about another culture
and will develop lots of skills that you can take with you into higher education and
the world of work.
 Leading universities, such as University College London require a foreign language
GCSE as part of their admissions process.
 In 2014 Russell Group Universities offered a significantly higher number of
unconditional places to students incorporating a language in their course of study
than any other combination of HE programme.
"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along
the way."
Frank Smith. Psycholinguist.
So, as you can see, you are embarking on a course that will help you in many ways.
You might have different experiences of language learning to those of your new classmates,
but everyone will start from the same place. Together, we will develop the skills that you
will need at this level. Never be afraid to ask me for help or advice if you have any problems
or difficulties.
“Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.”
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832) German poet, novelist and dramatist.
So, what’s different at AS level?
Don’t worry: it’s not going to be totally different to GCSE!! We will be doing lots of
fun things in class. Games do not stop after GCSE!! We will, however, be learning things at a
deeper level and you will also be learning more independent study skills. It is advanced
level, so that means that we will be doing advanced-level work!
 Grammar: we will be looking at verb patterns, as you will probably have only have
used the ‘I’ and ‘we’ forms at GCSE.
 Accuracy: at GCSE it is often about getting your point across; at AS level, we will work
more on accuracy.
 Oral work: we will work on accuracy, but also on our accents and we will also be able
to give more detailed information than at GCSE.
 You will learn to be able to work things out for yourself, not just learning by heart
what a teacher tells you.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk
to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
Nelson Mandela (1918 - 2013) Nobel Peace Prize Winner and former South African
President.
What equipment will I need?
 A lever arch file.
 A set of dividers.
 We have dictionaries here at college, but your own “big” dictionary at home would
be a good idea!
How is the course constructed?
We follow the WJEC syllabus. It is topic based and you will be learning about things
that will be of interest to you.
The AS exam will look something like this:
Oral
Two topic cards with 3/4
40%
15 minutes
questions on each and a
discussion of your hobbies,
studies and future plans.
Listening, Reading and Writing
Listening and Responding
60%
2 1/2 hours
Reading and Responding
Grammar tasks
Translation German – English
Essay
“Through learning language, we learn about culture,
Through learning about culture, we learn respect for others,
Through learning respect for others, we can hope for peace.”
Topics:
AS:
Leisure and Lifestyles:
 Including travel and tourism, sport, hobbies, entertainment, customs, traditions,
healthy living – health and nutrition, diet and exercise; unhealthy living – drugs, aids,
smoking, alcohol etc.
The Individual and Society:
 Including relationships and responsibilities, gender issues, youth culture (values,
peer groups, fashions and trends etc.), education, vocational training and future
careers.
YEAR TWO:
More on this at the end of the AS year, but these are the A2 topics:
A Level:
Environmental Issues:
 Including technology pollution, global warming, transport, energy, renewable
energies, conservation, recycling and sustainability.
Social and Political Issues:
 Including the role of the media, racism, immigration, social exclusion and
integration, terrorism, world of work (employment, commerce, globalisation, etc.).
We have text books, but you will also have access to ICT, authentic German materials
and lots of other materials to help you at every stage of the way!
What will I actually be doing each week?
The key skills that you will develop through studying German are those of: communication,
Information and Communication Technology, working with others and improving your own
learning and performance.
 You will have regular, timetabled lessons. You will need to come to ALL of these
lessons, because, unlike at GCSE, we will be covering more in each lesson and you
don’t want to risk missing important work.
 We will listen to and watch authentic German materials. We will work in pairs, in
groups and as a whole class. We will practise the four language skills: listening,
speaking, reading and writing. We will also use ICT skills to improve our language.
 You have the INVALUABLE opportunity to improve your German in conversation
classes. You will be in a small group to start with, but nearer the exams, you will have
a one to one session which will help you lots!
 You will have regular homework, which will help you to consolidate the work that we
will do in class. This homework might, for example, be a written homework,
listening, vocabulary learning or a research-based homework.
 You will have vocabulary tests: there is no escaping the fact that you need to learn
vocabulary to be proficient at a language! You will, however, have some say in what
you learn and we will discuss the best ways to learn vocabulary, this may involve the
use of apps on your smart phone or I-pad.
 You will write longer pieces of work from time to time, which should serve to show
both you and me how much you have learned and if you need some extra help on a
particular topic or item of grammar.
 Study skills, independent learning at home using the VLE and organisation of your
work, my feedback and your revision will be an integral part of the course.
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.”
Charlemagne (742 – 814) Holy Roman Emperor.
Moving from AS to A Level.
What should you consider after your AS German year?
 Have I enjoyed the AS year and the skills and topics that I have covered?
 Have I noticed an improvement in my language ability?
 Am I committed to carrying on with my independent learning in order to allow
myself every chance to do well at A Level?
You will further develop the key skills that you will have practised at AS, becoming more
analytical and critical in your approach.
What resources are available to help me?
You can of course come to me at any time for help and advice, but you will also have access
to the following:
 There are a lot of online resources, which you can access.
 The Learning Resource Centre has lots of books which can help you, but also an
amazing selection of German films and copies of Deutsch Perfekt. There are, as you
might already know, lots of online resources. Here are just a few recommendations:
 http://www.listenlive.eu/germany.html
 http://www.zeit.de/index
 http://www.sueddeutsche.de/
 http://www.ard.de/
 http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm
 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,,265,00.html?id=265
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
Of course, there are also lots of opportunities to improve your languages in other ways.
 The HOME/Cornerhouse in Manchester often shows German films.
 Universities offer ‘German Days’ on a variety of topics.
 The Christmas Markets offer the chance to practise your German whilst enjoying
German specialities!
 We will hopefully travel to Germany in order to allow you to practise your language
skills in Germany itself!
 We are involved in the Twinning
So, welcome again! I hope that you will enjoy and profit from your time here at Ashton Sixth
Form College.
“Jede neue Sprache, die wir lernen, ist ein Zuwachs an neuen Erlebnissen.”
Hermann Hesse
Project for over the summer:
1. Try out a few websites and keep a learning diary
during the summer (maybe a word you learnt, an
article you read or any information about
Germany, Austria or Switzerland you have come
across
2. Write a profile about yourself. Include the following
information (200 to 250 words):
 Family and Friends
 Hobbies
 What you want to study here in Ashton Sixth Form College and
what you enjoyed studying at your old school
 Plans about your future
 Holidays
Viel Spaβ!
Wir sehen uns im September.
Learning Diary:
DATE
WHAT DID I DO?
HOW DID IT GO?