Why study German?

Learning a new language allows you to connect with different people and their cultures. You think, communicate and create ideas through language.

German is widely spoken in Europe, in countries such as: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and, of course, Germany. It is one of the ten most spoken languages in the world. Germany is the biggest economy in Europe and the fourth biggest in the world. So, there are plenty of opportunities to use German in a wide range of industries and organisations. It is one of the top five business languages currently in demand in the UK.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

Arts, Social Sciences and Languages

Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism

Information, Culture and Heritage

Transport and Distribution

Uniformed and Security Services

What do I need to get in?

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:

• Higher German

What will I study?

The course comprises three areas of study.

Understanding German

You will:

• develop and extend reading and listening skills in German
• develop your knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated language in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.

Using German

You will:

• develop and extend talking and writing skills in German
• develop your knowledge and understanding of complex and sophisticated German in the contexts of society, learning, employability and culture.

Specialist Study

You will:

• develop and extend planning, research and analytical skills in order to undertake an independent specialist study based on literature or media or language in work.

How will I be assessed?

Course Assessment

The course assessment consists of four components totalling 200 marks:

• Component 1 – Question paper: Reading and Translation (50 marks)
• Component 2 – Question paper: Listening and Discursive Writing (70 marks)
• Component 3 – Portfolio (30 marks)
• Component 4 – Performance: Talking (50 marks).

The performance – You will demonstrate your skills in German by talking about themes or topics related to the specialist study area and at least one context from Society, Learning, Employability or Culture studied in the Understanding Language or Using German areas, or in preparation of the portfolio.

The portfolio – You will produce a piece of writing in English of 1,200 – 1,500 words, based on your analysis of either a piece of literature or media or language in work within the context of German.

The performance component is set and verified externally by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and assessed and marked by your school or college.

Both the question papers and the assignment are set and externally marked by SQA.

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.

Study Materials

SQA Past Papers German Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen Paper (Reading and Translation) German Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen Paper (Listening and Discursive) German Advanced Higher

What can I go on to next?

Further study, training or employment in:

• Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
• Buying, Selling and Related Work
• Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
• Languages
• Teaching and Classroom Support