German

Languages and RME Department

German at Lanark Grammar will help you to read, listen, talk and write in the modern language. Learners will also begin to develop translation skills and apply this knowledge to write film subtitles and to create language on a personalised level by writing poetry in German.

You will learn about different peoples and cultures and improve your overall general knowledge and awareness of the German-speaking world.

The study of a modern language has a unique contribution to make to the development of cultural awareness. It provides learners with a means of communicating directly with people from different cultures and enhances their understanding, enjoyment and tolerance, of other cultures, and of their own.

In the Senior Phase you will study topics such as the environment, healthy living, employability, use of technology, literature and film.

German is available at National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher levels.

Assessment

National 3 and National 4

These courses are internally assessed by teaching staff using national guidelines and standards.

The 4 language skills of Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing are assessed. Assessment will be ongoing, based on evidence which develops out of normal classroom learning.

You will have regular opportunities to demonstrate that you have achieved the required standard in each of the 4 skill areas.

There is no final exam at National 3 or National 4.

At Nationals 3 and 4, you will do a short talk in German and answer some follow-up questions.

National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

You will sit an external exam to assess the skills of Listening, Reading and Writing. Talking will be assessed in class with your teacher on topics of your choice and is worth 25% of the overall grade. You will also complete a Writing assignment in class on a topic you have covered with help from the teacher and this is worth 12.5% of the final grade.

Teacher provide supported study at lunchtimes and after school from August. This has positively impacted attainment.

Ideal Candidate

The study of a language is open and accessible to all Lanark Grammar School pupils.

Germany is consistently one of Scotland’s top 3 export markets and more than 300,000 Germans visit Scotland every year – only the USA provides more overseas visitors. More people in Europe speak German as their mother tongue than any other language – and that includes English!

What you will learn

There are two compulsory units at each level:

Understanding Language
Using Language

Both units cover topics within the broad themes of:

Society (Lifestyles, Media, Citizenship)
Culture (Traditions, Films, Literature)
Employability (World of Work, CVs)
Learning (Learning styles, Education Systems, Further & Higher Education)

Future Pathways

University or College

There are many courses where a foreign language is either a requirement or an asset:

International Law
International Business
Travel and Tourism
Foreign Language and Literature
Hospitality
Law
Engineering
Film and Media
Translation
Interpreting

You can now combine the study of a foreign language with many other courses.

Career

Foreign language teaching
International organisations; EU, NATO, UN, Red Cross.
Medical
Primary school teaching
Journalism
Business
International engineering
The oil & gas sector
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The armed forces
The Security Service
Translation
Interpreting

“The words "graduate with a foreign language" on your CV will have many recruiters going back for another look. That's because a relatively small pool of Brits has foreign language credentials, so they stand out from the crowd and, consequently, have far healthier career options” (Source: The Independent).