A-Level German Guide for Students and Parents - Exam Preparation - How to pass

Sep 17, 2026

A practical A-Level German study guide designed for students and parents, organizing preparation into clear components: listening, reading, translation, written responses to texts and film, and speaking practice. It provides concrete methods such as building vocabulary lists by sub-topic, using past papers from multiple exam boards, targeting translation grammar priorities, preparing essay phrases, translating journalistic passages, and improving conversation fluency through question practice and independent research. It also lists relevant themes, figures, and plot points for specific set works.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Component 1: Listening, Reading and Translation Tips

Vocabulary lists by sub-topic

Past papers practice

Grammar priorities for translation

Component 2: Written response to works and translation

Essay phrase practice

Notes and study guide focus

Translating English journalistic texts

Component 3: Speaking

Speaking card and topic vocabulary

Help sheets for German-speaking countries

Conversation question practice and independent research

Set works: Lügen, Liebe, and related themes

We’ve managed to fit everything you need for your German A Level into one sheet of A4! You can do this (du schaffst das!) as long as you work consistently and smartly throughout the course. [https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/german-2016.html](https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/german-2016.html) Component 1 – Listening, Reading and Translation Tips for language learning - make vocabulary lists for every single sub-topic in your preferred format (paper, Quizlet)– use textbooks and existing Quizlet/Memrise lists to build on vocabulary; - complete past papers from all examination board websites (Eduqas/WJEC, Edexcel, AQA, OCR) plus any booklets provided by your teachers or shared on the VLE; - use grammar workbooks and online exercises to target grammar needed for translation – priorities are: o tenses (perfect, imperfect, pluperfect, conditional) o modal verbs (in present, imperfect and conditional) o time/place adverbial phrases o cases o adjective endings o relative clauses o passive voice o conjunctions o comparatives o pluperfect subjunctive (Konjunktiv II) Component 2 – Written response to works and translation - Pick out your favourite essay phrases from lists provided in class and practise using them in short sentences/paragraphs; - Build up your notes about each work using a study guide and online sources, focusing your research on the aspects mentioned overleaf; - Do practice writings for all aspects of the film/literary work mentioned overleaf. - Find journalistic texts in English relating to the topics and translate a paragraph or two into German. Component 3 – Speaking Speaking Card (see possible topics above) - be conversant in key vocabulary for each topic area listed above; - create help sheets with easy to learn facts about German speaking countries relating to each topic; - revise and practise asking questions naturally in conversation to elicit someone else’s opinion. Independent Research Project (see separate instructions and goal setting records) - you must research German language sources, you don’t need to understand everything – just pick out key points! - practise with exchange partner or someone else’s exchange partner; - speak out loud in class – we really don’t care about mistakes in speaking! Good Bye, Lenin! Themen • Lügen (mediale Lügen und familäre Lügen) • Liebe • die Darstellung des Ostens und des Westens Figuren (Entwicklung, Motive, Ziele, Beziehungen, politische Einstellungen) • Weltall, Raumfahrt und Technik • Ostaglie • Kindheit und Erwachsenwerden • Politik • Hauptfiguren (Alex, Ariane, Christiane) • wichtige Figuren für die Handlung (Robert Kerner-der Vater, Denis Domaschke, Lara, Rainer) • Randfiguren (Frau Schäfer, Herr Ganske, Herr Mehlert, Dr. Klapprath) Handlung • die Datsche • Christianes Tod • Ost-und Westprodukte • Arbeit bei der Satellitenfirma und bei Burger King • Aktuelle Kamera • Alex' Besuch im Westen • das Off-Kommentar • die Demonstration / der Widerstand • Christianes Spaziergang • Ironie und Humor Der Besuch derAlten Dame Themen • Wahrheit • Schuld • Armut und Reichtum • Geld • der Konsum • Liebe • Gerechtigkeit • Respektabilität • Kindheit und Vergangenheit • Tod • Macht • Rache • Verrat / Unmoral Figuren (Entwicklung, Motive, Ziele, Beziehungen, politische Einstellungen) • Ill (seine Schuld, seine Veränderung, seine Beziehungen) • Claire (ihre Vergangenheit, ihre Motive und Ziele, ihre Beziehungen) • die Güllener (der Bürgermeister, der Lehrer, der Polizist, der Pfarrer, der Arzt)– ihre Rolle, ihre Reaktionen, ihre Entwicklung • Ills Familie • Claires Begleitung (ihre Rolle, ihre dramatische Auswirkung, ihr Geschlecht) Handlung • Claires Ankunft • Claires Angebot • Szenen im Goldenen Apostel (das Gericht) • Szenen im Konradsweilerwald (Akt 1 und Akt 3) • Claire auf ih

FAQs

What are the three main preparation components covered for A-Level German?

The guide divides preparation into Component 1 (Listening, Reading and Translation Tips), Component 2 (Written response and translation), and Component 3 (Speaking).

How does the guide recommend improving translation and grammar?

It suggests using grammar workbooks and online exercises focused on key translation needs such as tenses, modal verbs, cases, adjective endings, relative clauses, passive voice, conjunctions, comparatives, and Konjunktiv II pluperfect.

Which set works and topics are included for study?

The guide includes specific topic breakdowns for “Good Bye, Lenin!” and another section titled “Der Besuch der Alten Dame,” listing themes, figures, and major plot points for each.

Sep 17, 2026

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