AQA GCSE German
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The AQA GCSE German specification covers 65 topics with 0 learning objectives (8662). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 65 topics
- 8 study pages
Course 8662
Course version · 8662Version from Sept 2016Change version
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65 topics
Communication strategies2 topics
- Strategies for understandingStrategies for understanding are essential for students to cope with unknown words and linguistic elements in authentic German texts and speech.
- Strategies for productionCommunication strategies for production focus on systematic verbal and non-verbal techniques students can use to convey meaning effectively when they have…
Course topics12 topics
- Reading: understand and respond to written languageStudents are expected to understand and respond to different types of written language, including general and specific details, overall messages, key…
- Theme 1: Identity and cultureTheme 1: Identity and culture covers four key topics: Me, my family and friends; Technology in everyday life; Free-time activities; and Customs and…
- VocabularyThe vocabulary section provides core vocabulary lists intended as a guide for teachers to assist in planning schemes of work.
- GrammarThe grammar requirements for GCSE German are divided into Foundation and Higher Tiers.
- Listening: understand and respond to spoken languageListening: understand and respond to spoken language.
- ThemesThe specification covers three distinct themes: Identity and culture; Local, national, international and global areas of interest; and Current and future…1 study page
- Communication strategiesCommunication strategies are essential tools for students to cope with unknown words and maintain communication when their linguistic knowledge is incomplete.
- Scope of studyThe Scope of Study defines the core competencies students must demonstrate across the four language skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) in the…
- Writing: communicate in writingThe Writing component assesses students' ability to communicate effectively in German for a variety of purposes across specified contexts.
- Theme 3: Current and future study and employmentTheme 3 covers current and future study and employment, focusing on school life, post-16 education, and career ambitions.1 study page
- Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interestTheme 2 covers local, national, international and global areas of interest, focusing on home, town, neighbourhood, region, social issues (charity, voluntary…
- Speaking: communicate and interact in speechThis topic focuses on the ability of students to communicate and interact effectively in spoken German across various contexts, including spontaneous…
General vocabulary21 topics
- Question wordsThis topic covers the essential German question words (interrogatives) used to initiate inquiries and gather information across various contexts.
- MaterialsThis topic covers the general vocabulary related to materials, including common substances used in manufacturing and construction, and the verb structure…
- WeatherThis topic covers the general vocabulary related to weather, including meteorological phenomena, conditions, and reporting.
- AlphabetStudents are expected to know the letters of the German alphabet, including the ß and umlauts, and the vocabulary related to spelling.
- NegativesThis topic covers the general vocabulary related to negatives in German, providing students with the necessary terms to express negation across various…
- Weights and measuresThis topic covers the general vocabulary related to weights and measures, including units of measurement, physical properties, and quantities.
- Other expressionsThis topic covers specific general vocabulary items related to quantities and numerical expressions that are not tied to a specific theme but are essential…1 study page
- ComparisonsThis topic covers the vocabulary and structures required to make comparisons between people, things, and concepts in German, including the use of…
- Expressions of timeThis topic covers the vocabulary required to express time, including seasons, months, telling the time, and various other temporal expressions used to…
- CorrectnessThis topic covers the general vocabulary related to correctness, including terms for mistakes, errors, and the concepts of being right or wrong, as well as…
- NumbersThis topic covers the knowledge and use of cardinal numbers from 0 to 1,000, the word for 1,000,000 (Million, die), and ordinal numbers from first to tenth.
- ShapeThis topic covers the general vocabulary related to basic geometric shapes, including circles, squares, and round objects.1 study page
12 of 21 shown
Grammar2 topics
- Higher TierThe Higher Tier grammar requirements build upon the Foundation Tier, requiring students to apply more complex structures, including advanced verb forms,…
- Foundation TierThe Foundation Tier grammar requirements for AQA GCSE German cover the essential structures and rules students must apply in their assessments, including…
Grammar (Foundation)11 topics
- VerbsThis topic covers the essential verb structures required for the Foundation Tier, including regular and irregular verbs, reflexive verbs, modes of address,…
- ConjunctionsThis topic covers the foundational knowledge of conjunctions in German, specifically focusing on the distinction between coordinating and subordinating…1 study page
- AdverbsThis topic covers the grammatical requirements for adverbs at Foundation Tier, including their comparative and superlative forms, interrogative adverbs, and…
- Clause structuresThis topic covers the fundamental rules of German sentence construction at the Foundation Tier, specifically focusing on the word order of main clauses and…
- Quantifiers/intensifiersThis topic covers the use of quantifiers and intensifiers in German, specifically focusing on words used to modify adjectives and adverbs to indicate degree…
- PronounsThis topic covers the use of personal pronouns in German, including the specific use of 'man' as an indefinite pronoun.
- AdjectivesThis topic covers the grammatical rules and usage of adjectives in German at the Foundation Tier, including their endings, comparative and superlative…
- PrepositionsThe Foundation Tier grammar requirement for prepositions covers the use of prepositions that take a fixed case, those that are dual case (taking accusative…
- ArticlesThis topic covers the fundamental use of articles in German, specifically focusing on definite and indefinite articles and the use of 'kein' for negation at…
- Number, quantity, dates and timeThis topic covers the grammatical requirements for Foundation Tier students regarding the use of numbers, quantities, dates, and time, including the…
- NounsThis topic covers the fundamental grammatical requirements for nouns at the Foundation Tier, specifically focusing on gender, number, and specific noun types.
Grammar (Higher)7 topics
- VerbsThis topic covers advanced verb structures and tenses required for the Higher Tier GCSE German examination, building upon the Foundation Tier requirements.
- ConjunctionsHigher Tier students must demonstrate mastery of both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, building upon the Foundation Tier requirements.
- NounsThis topic covers the specific grammatical requirement for Higher Tier students regarding weak nouns in German.
- PrepositionsThis topic covers the advanced use of prepositions in German, specifically focusing on those that take the genitive case, which is a requirement for the…
- PronounsThis topic covers advanced pronoun usage required for the Higher Tier, specifically focusing on dative reflexive pronouns, relative pronouns (all cases and…
- AdjectivesThis topic covers the specific grammatical requirement for Higher Tier students to understand and apply adjectival endings when adjectives are used after…
- TimeThe Higher Tier grammar requirement for 'Time' focuses on the specific usage of 'seit' with the imperfect tense to describe duration or ongoing actions that…
Theme-based vocabulary (Foundation)3 topics
- Current and future study and employmentThis topic covers vocabulary related to current and future study and employment, including school subjects, life at school/college, post-16 education, and…1 study page
- Identity and cultureThis topic covers vocabulary related to 'Me, my family and friends' within the 'Identity and culture' theme for Foundation Tier students.
- Local, national, international and global areas of interestThis topic covers vocabulary related to the home, town, neighbourhood, and region, focusing on describing where one lives, local facilities, and the…
Theme-based vocabulary (Higher)3 topics
- Identity and cultureThis topic covers advanced vocabulary related to Identity and Culture, specifically focusing on Me, my family and friends, Technology in everyday life,…
- Current and future study and employmentThis topic covers vocabulary related to current and future study and employment at a Higher Tier level, focusing on more complex terminology and specific…1 study page
- Local, national, international and global areas of interestThis topic covers advanced vocabulary related to local, national, international, and global areas of interest, specifically designed for Higher Tier students.1 study page
Vocabulary4 topics
- General vocabularyGeneral vocabulary covers essential linguistic building blocks that are not restricted to specific themes and are transferable across all topics in the…
- Theme-based vocabulary (Foundation Tier)This topic covers the core theme-based vocabulary required for the Foundation Tier, organized by the three main themes: Identity and culture; Local,…
- Theme-based vocabulary (Higher Tier)This topic covers advanced, theme-based vocabulary specifically required for the Higher Tier GCSE German examination, building upon the foundation…
- Rubrics and instructionsThis topic provides a guide to the rubrics and instructions used in the Listening, Reading, and Writing exams, ensuring students understand the requirements…
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
A*/Grade 9
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge
- Uses correct subject-specific terminology
- Shows detailed understanding of concepts
- Makes accurate connections between topics
- Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge
Application
Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts
- Selects relevant knowledge for the question
- Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
- Uses examples appropriately
- Shows awareness of context
Analysis & Evaluation
Develops sophisticated analytical arguments
- Constructs logical chains of reasoning
- Considers multiple perspectives
- Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
- Acknowledges limitations and nuances
Key Command Words
AQA
State
1 mark
Give a single fact or term
Identify
1 mark
Name, select, or recognise
Outline
2 marks
Set out main features briefly
Describe
2-4 marks
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Explain
3-6 marks
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
Compare
2-4 marks
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Analyse
6-9 marks
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Evaluate
6-12 marks
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Assess
6-12 marks
Make judgments about importance with justification
Calculate
2-4 marks
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Incorrect word order with separable verbs
- •Confusing the conjugation of irregular verbs
- •Misuse of modal verbs in the perfect tense
- •Incorrect placement of the negative 'nicht'
- •Failure to use the correct mode of address (du vs Sie)
- •Ignoring words not needed for the main points
- •Misinterpreting 'false friends' (cognates that have different meanings)
- •Failing to use visual and verbal context clues
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Ensure you can identify the infinitive and the stem of verbs
- •Practice the position of the prefix in separable verbs in main clauses
- •Memorize the irregular forms of common verbs in the perfect tense
- •Check your verb endings carefully to ensure they match the subject
- •Use the 'um...zu' construction to add complexity to your writing
- •Use the layout, title, and any related pictures to infer the purpose and content of the text
- •Use grammatical markers (e.g., verb endings, word order) to identify the category of unknown words
- •Look for cognates and near-cognates to help understand unfamiliar vocabulary
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