All of our twelve A-Level German students recently spent four days in Berlin, gaining first-hand experience of the culture, history and language they explore in the classroom. The visit was designed to deepen their understanding of key topics from the A-Level syllabus, including German reunification, contemporary politics and cultural life in the capital.
During their stay, the students visited major historical sites, allowing them to connect their studies on Germany’s divided past with the city’s modern identity. One of the highlights was meeting a German author who had worked both in the former East Germany and in the newly unified country after the fall of the Wall, offering valuable personal experience and reading from his collection of short stories.
The group also gained a much deeper understanding of the STASI and its legacy. Visits to the Stasi Museum and the former Stasi prison provided powerful real-world context for their study of the film Das Leben der Anderen, helping students to better grasp the extent of state surveillance and the human impact of life under the GDR.
They also enjoyed Berlin’s famous Christmas markets, where they were able to immerse themselves in seasonal traditions. Language immersion played a central role throughout the trip. Students used German daily in real-life situations.
The four-day visit not only enriched their academic understanding but also strengthened their appreciation of German culture.
