German
As a Germanic language, distinct from the Romance languages, German is the most widely spoken first language in Europe and offers a gateway to opportunities in business, science, culture and travel.
German at City
Many of the most important contributions to literature, music, art, film and philosophy come from the German-speaking world. We share with our students a sense of curiosity and passion for the German language and culture.
Why study German at City?
The German-speaking world has played and continues to play one of the most significant roles in the arts. Many of the most important contributions to literature, music, art, film and philosophy come from the German-speaking world. We share with our students a sense of curiosity and passion for the German language and culture. We go well beyond a purely functional view of language and aim at providing intellectual and linguistic challenges to stretch our students fully.
Our students have access to a wide range of authentic magazines and newspapers as well as to listening materials and numerous online resources. We aim to enable our students to develop a wide and varied vocabulary and excellent grammatical understanding, so that they can successfully manipulate the language and use it creatively. We strongly encourage our pupils to develop their spontaneous speaking and independent learning. We also have a strong focus on self and peer evaluation to help our students become self-aware, independent learners and ultimately to make maximum progress at all times.
Our Staff
Curriculum
'I’ve really enjoyed German A Level, in particular the reading and analysis of literature in year 13. I’m excited to go on to study it at university, and to take every opportunity that comes my way in the future to speak German.'
Beyond the curriculum
We offer a varied and enriching experiences for students across all year groups.
Trips abroad
In year 8 and 9, students visit the Rhineland on a Christmas markets trip, where they experience German festive traditions and have the opportunity to meet their pen pals.
Our well-established year 10 German exchange, running for over 25 years, allows students to live with a host family and experience daily life in Germany.
In year 12, students take part in an immersion exchange to Trier, further developing their linguistic confidence and cultural understanding.
Additionally, we aim to offer a combined German and history trip to Vienna and Prague in the sixth form.
Excursions in London
We strongly encourage students to experience German culture on offer in London through a wide range of activities. Recent trips have included a visit to the National Theatre, the Goethe-Institut, and the Wiener Holocaust Library. Students have also participated in the German Theatre Festival at St Paul's School and attended a sixth form study day at the BFI on the history of German cinema.
Competitions and Clubs
KS3 and KS4 students can take part in a range of popular co-curricular activities, including German film club and engaging games-based language sessions. For KS5 students, we offer opportunities such as debating and discussion groups, as well as enrichment through drama and performance.
Students regularly participate and succeed in a wide range of prestigious national competitions and events. These include the Oxford German Olympiad, the Anthea Bell Translation Competition, the Stephen Spender Translation Prize, German Flash Fiction competitions and the KCL Sixth Form Essay Competition. Pupils also take part in the Goethe-Institut National Debating Competition (National winners in 2025) and have performed at the German Theatre Festival at St Paul’s School, developing confidence, creativity and cultural understanding.
‘Debating in German has really helped me grow in confidence when speaking. It’s a relaxed environment where you can try things out, make mistakes, and improve quickly. Taking part in competitions and activities outside lessons really improved my German and the highlight was winning at the National Goethe Institute Debating Competition (2025).’ – year 12 student
Students’ creativity and talent shine through in these opportunities, allowing them to explore German beyond the curriculum through writing, translation, performance and debate.
We also offer German clinics to support year 10 and year 11 students, alongside a mentoring system to ensure all pupils feel confident and well-supported in their learning.
