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  • Cambridge IGCSE German - Foreign Language (0525)

Cambridge IGCSE German - Foreign Language (0525)

Syllabus overview

This syllabus is designed for students who are learning German as a foreign language. The aim is to develop an ability to use the language effectively for practical communication. The course is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, and these are built on as learners progress through their studies.

The syllabus also aims to offer insights into the culture of countries where German is spoken, thus encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and towards speakers of other languages.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

  • 2022 - 2024 Syllabus (PDF, 353KB)
    • 2022 - 2024 Syllabus update (PDF, 163KB)
  • 2025 - 2027 Syllabus (PDF, 868KB)

Syllabus support

  • Support for German Foreign Language (PDF, 1MB)

Syllabus updates

  • Summary of the changes
    • We review all of our syllabuses regularly to make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools. We have made some changes to this syllabus and assessment materials to improve how learners demonstrate their ability in written and spoken German. These changes are for examination from 2021.

      How has the syllabus changed?

      The 2021 syllabus develops language proficiency at Level A2 with elements of B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR).

      • The vocabulary list has been updated.
      • We have revised the assessment objectives.
      • The syllabus content section now includes the sub-skills we expect learners to develop.

      For more information on the framework and language proficiency levels, visit the CEFR website.

      How has assessment changed?

      • Updated assessment objectives now align with relevant CEFR level descriptors and ‘can do’ statements.
      • The Speaking test (Paper 3) has been updated. Candidates will complete one role play and two topic conversations.
      • We have made it clearer which sub-skills are assessed in each paper and have included these in the syllabus document.

      When do these changes take place?

      The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2021 onwards. Please see the 2021 syllabus above for full details.

  • Teaching and learning resources
    • Coming soon

      We are developing a wide range of support to help you plan and teach the 2021 syllabus.

      Support

      Look out for a comprehensive support package to help you deliver the 2021 syllabus including Example candidate responses, a Scheme of work and Specimen paper answers. These resources will be available from April 2019 onwards (before first teaching) through our School Support Hub.

      Endorsed resources

      View the latest resources that are being developed for the Cambridge IGCSE German syllabus (0525).

      Cambridge IGCSE German (Hodder)Cambridge IGCSE German (Hodder)

      Strengthen language skills and cultural awareness with a differentiated approach that offers comprehensive coverage of the revised Cambridge IGCSE German syllabus for examination from 2021.

      Read more on the Hodder website

      Vocab Express imageVocab Express Cambridge IGCSE German (Collins)

      For learner support. Vocab Express is an online platform for schools that encourages students to learn foreign language vocabulary independently. This course is based on the vocabulary list for Cambridge IGCSE German.

      Read more on the Collins website
Subscribe to syllabus updates

Important notices

  • Listening exams
    • For the listening exam, candidates will submit their answers on a multiple-choice answer sheet. They will not submit them on the question paper. At the end of the exam candidates will have six minutes to transfer their answers from the question paper onto the multiple-choice answer sheet. Find out more information and view a sample multiple-choice answer sheet.

  • Regulation
    • From 2020 examination this syllabus will no longer be regulated by the qualifications and examnations regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Changes to the syllabus and specimen papers reflect the change in regulated status. This syllabus will continue to be available worldwide.

  • Syllabus availability
    • In the June series this syllabus is available in all Administrative zones. However, in the November series this syllabus is available in Administrative zones 3 and 4 only. Check the administrative zones for your school.

  • Grading scale
    • Please note that if you make an entry for the A*-G grading scale, it is not then possible to switch to the 9-1 grading scale once the entries deadline has passed. If you find that you have accidentally made an entry for the A*-G syllabus, you must withdraw and re-enter before the entries deadline.

  • Grade descriptions
    • For some subjects, the syllabus states that Grade Descriptions will be made available after first assessment in 2020, 2021 or 2022.

      Publication of grade descriptions was paused in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the grading standard that have been in place for 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are currently working on producing these grade descriptions. This work will make sure that grade descriptions reflect examination outcomes appropriately and are based on the more stable grading standard that we expect to have in place for June 2023 onwards.

  • Front covers
    • From 2020, we have made some changes to the wording and layout of the front covers of our question papers to reflect the new Cambridge International branding and to make instructions clearer for candidates - learn more.

  • Submit for Assessment
    • Check the Submit for Assessment page and the samples database for information and guidance on submitting moderated and examined work using Submit for Assessment.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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