Standard Grade German
Topics Taught
Standard Grade German requires proficiency in the skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. These are developed as pupils progress through the following themes:
- Personal & family information
- house & chores
- school
- future career
- sport & leisure
- films, books & TV
- holidays (past & future)
- home area – facilities & transport
- shopping
- money matters
- eating out
- healthy lifestyle
- illness
- travel problems
- jobs & work experience
- phoning
- relationships
- environmental issues
Homework
Homework consists largely of vocabulary learning, accompanied by reading or writing exercises of varied length and complexity. Preparation and practice for ongoing assessment, in particular for Standard Grade Speaking and Writing become a vitally important aspect of homework.
Assessments (Internal and External)
In S3 formal assessment is conducted across the year-group after every one or two units of work, systematically testing various strands. Each element of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing is formally assessed twice per year. The process is supplemented by examinations held later in the session. Vocabulary tests are also conducted at the class teacher's discretion. Informal assessment occurs on an ongoing basis, and pupils are invited to evaluate their own progress at the end of each unit of work.
In S4 Speaking tests, from which pupils' overall Standard Grade Speaking grade is derived, are normally conducted throughout the session by one member of staff who is timetabled for this purpose.
Pupils submit a Folio of Writing to SQA, generated throughout the session under examination conditions. The Folio comprises three pieces of work, which are monitored by the class teacher, and marked by SQA.
In addition, interim tests of Listening and Reading are conducted in October with Prelim examinations held in January. Final SQA examinations assess Listening and Reading skills
Next Steps
Pupils gaining a Credit pass at Standard Grade are eligible to work at Higher level in German in S5