Intent

The Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at The Cottesloe School offers students of all abilities the opportunity to experience the culture and character of two globally significant languages. Encouraged to ask questions about daily life in German-speaking countries, students’ personal experiences become a facilitator in bridging the foreign and the familiar.

Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills right from the beginning of their programme of study as they find links between English and German. As the complexity of the language taught progresses, so does students’ resilience, enabling them to engage with the rigours of the GCSE curriculum. Hard-hitting issues such as youth addiction and climate change force GCSE linguists to consider their rights and responsibilities as global citizens in a truly international context.

The benefits of obtaining a GCSE language for further study and employment are also emphasised to students, as are the merits of continuing at A-Level. Students will finish their MFL programme of study knowing they have developed a skill set to help them persevere when challenged, speak their minds with confidence, and respect and appreciate the diversity of the world around them. 

Ethos

The languages department believes that there is no failure, only a first step on the road to becoming a confident and fluent linguist! If at first you don’t succeed, try again! We all make mistakes, and if you aren’t making mistakes whilst learning a language, you’re not doing it right! By learning – and making mistakes! – together we can all become more tolerant, more collaborative, more resilient and, most importantly, better communicators. That’s how you learn a language, and we hope you’ll learn with us!

Careers with German

A language is viewed by employers and universities as a facilitating subject which opens up many exciting opportunities in many different sectors. Here are some examples of jobs where your study of German will help you to succeed!

• International Business Manager: Manage global operations, liaise with German-speaking clients and partners, and navigate German markets.
• Corporate Communications Specialist: Handle communications for multinational companies, particularly in German-speaking regions.
• Export/Import Manager: Oversee international trade. Germany is the UK's 2nd largest trading partner.
• Sports Marketing Manager: Handle marketing for sports brands, events, and teams.
• Research Scientist: Collaborate with German research institutions and contribute to advancements in fields like physics, medicine, and engineering.
• Medical Researcher: Work with pharmaceutical companies or medical research institutions on clinical trials or product development.
• Engineer: Join leading German companies like BMW in various engineering roles, in fields like automotive, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
• Data Scientist: Analyse big data for major tech firms in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where there is a strong demand for tech experts.
• Investment Banker: Handle cross-border transactions, investment strategies, and financial consulting for clients in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• Financial Analyst: Work in major global financial institutions or German financial hubs, analysing stocks, bonds, and other market instruments.
• Risk Management Specialist: Assess and mitigate financial risks for German or international companies doing business in German-speaking regions.
• Luxury Brand Manager: Work for global luxury brands with strong presences in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland (e.g., Porsche, Hugo Boss).
• Diplomat: Represent your country in German-speaking regions or international organisations where German is one of the official languages (e.g., the EU).
• Film Director/Producer: Work in the German film industry (e.g., Berlin’s international film scene) or in international co-productions with German partners.
• Fashion Designer: Contribute to global fashion trends, particularly in cities like Berlin and Munich, where the fashion industry is thriving.
• Public Relations Manager: Manage corporate or brand communications, working with high-profile clients in the media and entertainment industries.