German
German is taught as a compulsory subject, along with French, to all pupils in the top Year 9 set. This is intended to be an introductory course, enabling them to make an informed choice about German as a GCSE option when they enter Year 10. The average take-up for GCSE German in Year 10 in recent years has been about 12-15 pupils. Post GCSE, German is offered as an option for both AS and A2 and each year it is chosen by a number of pupils, usually between 3 and 6. Some of these will be dual linguists, others will have chosen German as their preferred language for Sixth Form study. Last year, a group of pupils from Years 10 and 12 spent a few exciting and intensive days in Berlin with two members of the Modern Languages staff, practising their German and experiencing some of the wonders of this extraordinary city.
"Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt." (Ludwig Wittgenstein)
Why on earth would anyone want to learn German?
A perfectly reasonable question with a perfectly reasonable answer.
But is German not the language of Hitler, the two world wars, Michael Schumacher?
Indeed it is, but it is also the language of Martin Luther, Bach, Beethoven, Immanuel Kant, Mozart, Karl Marx, and the list goes on. Unsurprisingly,
Sie verkaufen und ich kaufe, sprechen wir deutsch. Aber Sie kaufen und ich verkaufe, dann sprechen wir Ihre Sprache.[1]
(When you're selling and I'm buying, we speak German. But when you're buying and I'm selling, then we speak your language)
So German is taught at
Jawohl. Although one of the smallest departments, German has long enjoyed a history of success at
Is it hard?
This accelerated programme requires commitment and motivation on the part of the pupil from the beginning, but it provides a fast-paced and challenging subject. Typically, GCSE class sizes are small (normally less than a dozen pupils) and individuals are guaranteed a good deal of personal attention. The belief that grammatical knowledge and accuracy are at the heart of true communication underpins all teaching, and accordingly pupils sit the writing paper instead of coursework.
So it is all about grammar?
Not quite. Classes focus on practical, spoken and written communication. At sixth form, interpreting is introduced and takes place in a modern digital language-laboratory. Literature still plays an important part in the
But, do you get to eat sausage?
Outside the classroom, pupils are encouraged to experience German-speaking culture as much as possible; this might require the consumption of the occasional Wurst. There are also visits to the cinema, theatre as well as an annual study visit to
What can you do with German?
As a traditional subject, German A level is recognised as a rigorous, demanding and serious A level subject. It combines well with any Arts or Humanities subject but equally complements the Sciences well. Every year, Durham School sixth formers continue their German studies at university and many have gone on to study History, Law and Modern Languages at the best UK universities; one pupil even went on to train as a commercial pilot; the sky is indeed the limit [apologies for the shameless pun!].
[1] A saying attributed to Willi Brandt.
[2] The ‘awful German language’ is a reference to a fond but humorous article written by Mark Twain in 1880 on the idiosyncratic nature of the language.
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