Choosing A-Level German as an Outside Candidate: Challenges, Commitment & Solutions

Deciding to take A-Level German outside of your school (as a private or external candidate) can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges. Whether you’re a Year 11 student planning ahead or an adult learner, it’s crucial to understand what this path entails. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why you might choose A-Level German as an outside option, the challenges to be aware of, the time commitment required (including recommended weekly lesson hours), and practical solutions to help you succeed – all in the context of the UK system, and drawing on our experience at Olesen Tuition.

Why Consider A-Level German as an Outside Option?

Choosing to do A-Level German outside of school often happens when:

• Your school doesn’t offer German A-Level – Perhaps your school has dropped German or there aren’t enough students to run the class. This is a common scenario; for example, one of our students pursued the entire German A-Level with us because “her school wouldn’t teach it”.

• Timetable clashes or extra A-Levels – You might be a high-achieving linguist wanting to take German as an additional A-Level that doesn’t fit in your school timetable.

• Home education or self-study – You could be homeschooling or a mature student sitting A-Levels independently.

For Year 11 students considering this route: it’s important to assess your readiness and motivation. Achieving a top grade (like a 9) at GCSE is an excellent foundation, but it does not guarantee an easy ride at A-Level. The jump from GCSE to A-Level German is much bigger than many expect – A-Level dives into advanced grammar, complex vocabulary, literature and film, and sophisticated essay writing. Be honest with yourself about your passion for German and your willingness to put in consistent effort. You’ll need to be comfortable working independently and seeking help when needed. If you have that interest and dedication, taking German as an outside option can be incredibly fulfilling (and can even strengthen university applications for language or humanities courses).

Exam Boards: As a private candidate, you can choose any exam board that offers A-Level German (AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas/WJEC, or even CIE for International A-Level). The good news is that the core skills and content are similar, and experienced tutors (like ours at Olesen Tuition) have “a thorough understanding of what is required to excel, regardless of the exam board”. So, whether your exam is with AQA or Edexcel, the preparation will cover all necessary topics and exam techniques.

Exam Registration: One extra consideration for external candidates is finding an exam centre. You’ll need to register yourself for the A-Level German exams at a school or college approved as an exam centre. This includes arranging the speaking exam component. As an outside candidate, you won’t have a school language teacher to conduct your oral exam by default – but don’t worry. With proper guidance, this is manageable: for instance, we regularly advise on the exam registration process and help facilitate arrangements for the speaking exam, ensuring our external students know where and when to take it. (In fact, our director, Jens Olesen, has even served as a speaking examiner for private candidates on behalf of schools.) The key is to start these arrangements early in Year 12 (or earlier if you’re doing a one-year intensive), so nothing is last-minute.

Key Challenges of A-Level German Outside School

Taking German outside of a school setting comes with all the normal difficulties of A-Level German – and a few additional hurdles. Here are the main challenges you should be prepared to tackle:

1. Intensive Curriculum and Higher Difficulty

A-Level German is a big step up. The curriculum covers advanced grammar and syntax, a much wider range of vocabulary, complex tenses and moods, and even literature and film studies. You’ll be expected not just to communicate, but to analyse and discuss topics in German – from historical events to social issues – and to critique books or films in essays. Many students who sail through GCSE find A-Level content surprisingly demanding. Whereas a Grade 9 GCSE student might be around an A2 proficiency level, A-Level pushes towards B1 or B2 (intermediate) by the end. This intensity requires you to deepen your understanding of German grammar and nuance significantly. If you’re studying on your own or with a tutor (instead of daily school classes), you must ensure you cover the full syllabus thoroughly, including set works (literature/film) for Paper 2. Missing pieces of the curriculum is a risk you can’t afford as an external candidate.

How to manage: Don’t underestimate the jump in difficulty. Approach the A-Level content methodically – build on your GCSE foundation by gradually introducing more complex grammar and vocabulary. Use quality resources (textbooks, revision guides, and online materials) that align with the exam board’s specification. For example, after covering a grammar topic, practice it in writing and speaking to cement your understanding. It can also help to read our detailed post on the differences between GCSE and A-Level German to know what to expect. Recognising early that A-Level German demands more analytical and critical thinking will set the right expectations.

2. Self-Discipline and Independent Study

When you take German outside of school, you won’t have a teacher checking your homework each day or a class schedule structuring your learning. The freedom is great – you can learn at your own pace – but it also means you need to be disciplined. You must become your own manager, ensuring you cover all topics (grammar, themes, vocabulary, cultural knowledge) and practise all skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) regularly. It’s easy for external candidates to procrastinate or focus too much on one aspect they enjoy while neglecting others.

Another facet of this challenge is potential isolation. Without classmates or regular school lessons, you might feel a bit alone in your studies. Language learning thrives on interaction – speaking and getting feedback – so you’ll need to create those opportunities (through a tutor, conversation partner, or study group). Also, accessing resources like past papers or mock exams is something you must do proactively (though many are available online, and Olesen Tuition provides plenty of practice materials to our students).

How to manage: Set up a structured study plan for yourself. Treat your German like a scheduled class: for instance, “Mondays: grammar and writing practice, Wednesdays: tutor lesson and speaking, Fridays: vocab and listening practice”, etc. Being consistent is key – a bit of German every day or several times a week beats cramming at the last minute. If you have a private tutor, they will give you homework and keep you accountable. If you’re more on your own, consider enrolling in a weekly class or an online course to add structure. Also, make use of external support communities – e.g. online forums or study groups – so you have someone to ask questions or even just to share progress with. Our experience shows that external candidates can absolutely achieve top grades with the right support, so you’re not alone in this journey.

3. Balancing German with Other Commitments

Most students taking A-Level German outside school will also be doing other A-Levels inside school, or perhaps juggling responsibilities like work or other activities. Balancing German with your other subjects and commitments can be tricky. German demands regular practice – you can’t just study it once a fortnight and expect to maintain progress. Meanwhile, your other A-Levels (or job/family commitments if you’re a mature student) will also be competing for time.

If you’re in Year 12/13, think about the fact that German A-Level has multiple exam papers (including oral exams) and likely internally assessed components like the Independent Research Project (IRP for the speaking exam). Managing coursework or preparation for those along with, say, your Maths or History homework requires good time management. Some students also try to do the German A-Level in one year (for instance, starting in Year 13 or doing an intensive gap year course) – which is possible, but then the time pressure is even greater.

How to manage: Strong time management skills are essential. Use a planner or digital calendar to map out all your subjects’ deadlines and plan your German study slots around them. If you have a tutor, work out a realistic schedule of learning that takes into account school exam weeks or busy periods. Many external students opt for evening or weekend lessons so that German studies don’t clash with school hours. Be prepared to make some sacrifices – for example, dedicating a portion of your school holidays to German revision or completing an extra mock paper when your friends might be relaxing. The silver lining is that because you have flexibility, you can space out your work to avoid last-minute cramming. For instance, doing a bit of German study each day will make the load feel lighter than saving it all for Sunday night.

4. Limited School Support & Resources

As an external candidate, you won’t have the built-in support system that school-based students do. In school, you’d have German classes several times a week, a teacher to answer questions on the spot, language lab facilities, maybe even a German club or conversation practice at lunchtime. Outside of that, you need to create your own support network and find your own resources. This includes:

• Curriculum guidance: Knowing what to study and in what depth for the exam. (Each exam board has a specification – you must be familiar with your chosen board’s topics, text/film options, and exam structure.)

• Practice materials: Getting past papers, exercise books, listening audio files, etc. (Many are free online, but you have to seek them out. AQA and Edexcel publish past papers on their sites, for example.)

• Speaking practice: It’s critical to practise speaking German regularly, but without a class, you’ll need to find a partner or tutor. Simply put, there’s “no substitute for actually speaking German regularly” – fluency and confidence come from real conversation, not just textbooks.

• Feedback: You won’t have a teacher marking your essays or telling you where you made mistakes in a speaking answer, unless you have a tutor or someone qualified to give feedback. Yet feedback is how we improve and avoid repeating errors.

How to manage: Proactively seek out resources and support. Consider hiring a qualified German tutor who can essentially act as your teacher, providing a structured course, materials, and feedback on your work. (All our A-Level German tutors at Olesen Tuition are fully qualified native speakers with 10+ years’ experience.) A tutor can also supply past papers, topic notes, vocabulary lists, and guide you through coursework or the IRP. Additionally, make use of online resources: exam board websites for past papers, language learning sites for grammar exercises, and our own German blog which offers free revision guides and tips for A-Level German. For instance, we have posts on “How to write excellent A-Level German essays” and “How to prepare for the A-Level German speaking exam” – these can be invaluable if you’re studying on your own.

If a private tutor isn’t an option, you might join an evening class or online group course for A-Level German. The idea is to ensure you have at least one expert or community to turn to when you face difficulties. Remember, not having school support doesn’t mean no support – you just have to be proactive in finding it.

5. Exam Logistics and Nerves

We touched on exam arrangements earlier, but it’s worth noting as a challenge: the administrative side of being a private candidate. You must register for your exams (usually in the autumn or early spring of the academic year you’ll sit them) and often pay exam fees. You also need to coordinate your speaking exam. Some exam centres might require you to find a teacher/examiner to conduct your oral (though many centres will handle it for a fee). All of this can be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the process. It can also be nerve-wracking to walk into an exam room at a school or college you don’t attend, possibly even taking an oral exam with a teacher you just met.

How to manage: First, research exam centres well in advance. Large exam centres or private colleges in your area may accept external candidates – the HE Exams Wiki and forums like The Student Room often have useful recommendations. Once you’ve identified a centre, get in touch early to understand their process for language A-Levels. At Olesen Tuition, we assist our students with these logistics – guiding you through the exam process, providing mock exams, and even arranging mock speaking exams to build confidence. Doing a mock oral exam with your tutor or another German teacher can massively reduce anxiety, because you’ll know what to expect and get feedback to improve. Also, practise under exam conditions (timed past papers, recording yourself for speaking, etc.) so that the real exam feels familiar. On the day, go in with confidence: you’ve prepared thoroughly, and remember that many examiners are friendly and want you to do well. Our students often report that after good preparation, the exam itself “felt just like the practice sessions”, which is exactly the goal.

Time Commitment: How Many Hours per Week Do You Need?

One of the first questions external candidates and their parents ask is: How much study is required for A-Level German, especially without regular school classes? The answer: a significant, consistent time commitment – but it pays off. Let’s break it down:

• Weekly Lessons: In a school setting, A-Level German involves about 4–5 hours of classroom instruction per week. As a private candidate, you should aim to replicate this with ~3–4 hours of German lessons per week (since one-to-one or small-group tutoring is often more intensive and efficient than a large class). For most non-native speakers, 3–4 hours of private lessons weekly strikes a good balance: it keeps you progressing through the syllabus at a steady pace, allows time to cover grammar, vocabulary, and exam skills in depth, and provides regular speaking practice. Anything much less (e.g. a single hour a week) may leave you struggling to cover everything or maintain momentum. Remember, A-Level German isn’t just another subject – it’s like learning four skills in one (listening, speaking, reading, writing) plus cultural content. Regular lessons ensure you get continual input and correction. (Tip: Many students split this into two sessions per week, say 2 hours on Tuesday and 2 hours on Saturday, to keep the language fresh throughout the week.)

• Homework & Practice: In addition to lesson time, be ready for about 2–3 hours of homework per week. This will include grammar exercises, vocabulary revision, reading German texts or articles, and writing essays or summaries. If you have a tutor, they will likely assign written work (for example, an essay every fortnight, or some translations) and perhaps some listening exercises to do with audio at home. If you’re studying solo, you should self-impose homework tasks – for instance: “This week I’ll learn 30 new vocab words on the Environment topic and write a 250-word essay about renewable energy in German.” Treat these tasks seriously, as they are what solidify your learning. Also, build in time for review – go over your mistakes from homework or past papers and ensure you understand how to correct them. Consistently doing about 2-3 hours of German study outside of lessons will greatly reinforce what you learn in lessons and keep you on track.

• Independent Study & Immersion: Beyond set homework, allocate at least 2–3 hours per week for independent study and language exposure. This is where you really boost your German from just “exam-ready” to actually fluent. Use this time for activities like: watching a German film or series (with subtitles off or in German if you can), listening to German podcasts or music, reading a novel or German news sites, and practising speaking by perhaps describing your day in German or recording yourself. Immersion activities build your comfort with the language in a way that exercises sometimes don’t. It’s also a good idea to use some of this time for extra revision on any weak spots – e.g., if you found the subjunctive mood confusing, spend an hour with a grammar workbook or online resources to practice it. Consistency is more important than cramming: a few hours every week throughout the two-year course (or more hours per week if you’re doing it in one year) will yield better results than trying to rush later. A-Level German is a marathon, not a sprint, and regular exposure is key to retaining vocabulary and grammatical accuracy.

In total, you’re looking at roughly 8–10 hours per week of German study (lessons + homework + self-study) on average. This might sound like a lot, but consider that at school you’d have similar hours, including classes and homework combined. The advantage of doing it outside school is that you can tailor those hours to your schedule and often get more individualised benefit from them. And if you truly enjoy German, these hours can actually be fun – especially the immersion parts like watching German Netflix or chatting with a tutor who shares your enthusiasm for the language.

How Olesen Tuition Supports External A-Level German Students

Taking on A-Level German by yourself can be challenging – but you don’t have to do it alone. Olesen Tuition specialises in guiding both school-based and external candidates to success in German, and we have a strong track record with A-Level students. Here’s how we can help you overcome the challenges and excel:

• Personalised Learning Plan: We start by assessing your current level (for example, how well you did at GCSE, or your general German proficiency) and the timeframe you have (one year vs two years). Then we create a tailored plan that fits your schedule and learning style. If you’re balancing other A-Levels, we’ll pace the lessons accordingly and focus on areas that need the most attention. A personalised approach means we can spend more time on, say, grammar if that’s your weak point, or focus on exam techniques if you’re already quite fluent but need to polish exam skills. This ensures you cover the entire syllabus in time for the exams without burning out.

• Expert One-on-One Tutoring: All our A-Level German tutors are highly qualified native speakers with deep experience in the A-Level curriculum. Our founder, Jens Olesen – an Oxford-educated native German speaker – has over 25 years of experience and has “successfully prepared hundreds of students for their A-Level German exams, many of whom [took German] as an outside option”. Working with an expert means you get clear explanations for complex grammar, rich vocabulary beyond the textbook, and insider tips for the exams. We know common pitfalls (for example, where English-speakers often make mistakes with German cases, or what examiners look for in the IRP presentation) and we coach you to avoid them. Perhaps most importantly, a tutor provides immediate feedback – when you do a speaking practice or submit a written essay, you’ll get constructive critiques and corrections, so you can improve continuously. This kind of targeted guidance is hard to replicate on your own.

• Flexible Scheduling (Evenings/Weekends): We understand that an external candidate’s timetable can be hectic. Maybe you have school during the day, or you’re an adult working a 9–5 job. We offer flexible lesson times, including after-school hours, evenings, and weekends. Lessons can be held online via Zoom/Skype (so you can learn from anywhere) or in-person in London, as per your preference. This flexibility means you can slot in German lessons without disrupting your other commitments. Many of our students appreciate being able to do a lesson on a Saturday morning or a weekday evening. We also offer more intensive sessions during school holidays if needed – for instance, a revision bootcamp during Easter to prep for the summer exams. Our goal is to accommodate your schedule so that you can get those crucial 3-4 hours of lessons per week consistently.

• Comprehensive Resources & Materials: One challenge for external learners is gathering good study materials – we remove that hurdle. Olesen Tuition provides a wealth of resources to our A-Level students: from custom grammar exercises and vocabulary lists to past paper question packs and model essays. We have a library of practice papers (AQA, Edexcel, etc.) and we routinely create practice questions that mirror the exam style, especially for the oral exam and the essay paper on literature/film. In addition, our German language blog is a free treasure trove of guides on A-Level German. You’ll find articles on everything from “how to get an A in A-Level German”* to “the 10 most important grammar topics at A-Level”, as well as detailed revision posts for popular literature and film topics (e.g. Goodbye, Lenin! or Die Verwandlung). We encourage our students to use these blog posts to supplement their learning – for example, read the guide on preparing for the speaking exam when you start working on your IRP. Having diverse resources keeps learning engaging and helps reinforce knowledge through various formats (such as reading an explanation and then completing an interactive quiz). Here is just a small selection:

  
  

  A-Level German Blog Posts

  - How to get an A* in A-level German

  - The 10 most important German grammar topics for A-level German

  - How to write excellent A-level German essays

  - How to prepare for the A-level German speaking exam

  - How to prepare for the A-level German IRP 

  - How to prepare for the A-level German listening, reading, writing paper

  - A-level German revision guide on Der Besuch der alten Dame

  - A-level German revision guide: Der Vorleser

  - A-level German revision guide: Die Verwandlung

  - A-level German revision guide: Das Leben der Anderen

  - A-level German revision guide: Goodbye Lenin

  - A-level German revision guide: Sophie Scholl-die letzten Tage

• Immersive Practice: To truly excel, you need to go beyond just the exam requirements and live the language. We incorporate immersive learning techniques into our tutoring. Lessons are conducted predominantly in German (adjusted to your level, of course), so you get used to thinking in the language. We also offer conversation practice sessions purely to build fluency – for instance, discussing current events in German or debating a theme related to your coursework. We can simulate real-life scenarios or even do fun cultural sessions (like a virtual “German cafe” role-play to practise ordering food, etc.). This not only prepares you for the speaking exam but makes your language skills much more robust. We often recommend German films, books, or podcasts and then have a chat about them in the next lesson, almost like a mini German book/film club. Such immersion boosts your confidence and helps you start “thinking” in German, which is a hallmark of top A-Level performers.

• Continuous Feedback and Support: Perhaps one of the biggest benefits we provide is ongoing support and mentorship. When you’re studying on your own, it’s easy not to realise what you’re doing wrong until the exam. With us, every piece of work you do gets feedback. We mark your essays with the exam board criteria in mind and tell you how to raise that C to an A. We conduct mock exams – including oral exams – and then go through what you did well and what could be improved. This iterative feedback loop means you’re constantly improving and not carrying bad habits forward. We also track your progress: for example, if listening is your weak area in the autumn, we’ll re-evaluate with another mock listening in the spring to see the improvement. And whenever you hit a stumbling block – say you just can’t grasp passive voice or you feel your speaking isn’t fluent – we’re there to provide extra help, tips, and reassurance. Being an external candidate can be stressful, so having an experienced tutor to reach out to can really ease the journey. We pride ourselves on being responsive and approachable; if you have a question outside of lesson time, we’re just an email away. As one parent of an external A-Level student noted, despite the hard work involved, the dedicated support meant her daughter “loved working with [the tutor] from start to finish” and stayed motivated throughout.

• Proven Track Record with External Candidates: Finally, it’s worth mentioning that many students have successfully gone down this route with our help. To highlight one success story: a Year 13 student whose school couldn’t accommodate German A-Level studied with us intensively for two years – she “had to work extremely hard” but ended up achieving a high A grade and even decided to continue German at university. Overall, 95% of our A-Level students have achieved A* or A grades in their exams. This includes those who took German as a crash course or an outside option. The combination of student dedication and our guidance produces excellent results. We are very familiar with the common challenges external students face and know how to address them effectively.

Conclusion

Choosing A-Level German as an outside candidate is undoubtedly a challenging path – but with the right mindset and support, it’s entirely achievable and can be highly rewarding. You’ll develop not only advanced language skills but also qualities like independence, self-motivation, and resilience. These will serve you well at university and beyond. Remember to plan carefully, study consistently, and seek out help when needed. With a solid plan (and perhaps a skilled tutor by your side), you can master the A-Level German curriculum and perform brilliantly in the exams.

At the end of the day, success in A-Level German – whether in school or outside – comes down to commitment and quality guidance. As we often tell our students: mit Fleiß und guter Führung schafft man es! – with hard work and good guidance, you can do it. And we’re here to provide that guidance. 💪

Interested in getting support for A-Level German? Olesen Tuition offers the expertise, flexibility and resources you need to excel. From weekly one-to-one lessons to intensive revision courses, we tailor our services to external candidates aiming high. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss your goals, or explore our website for more info on A-Level German tuition and our success stories. With the right help, du schaffst das – you’ve got this! Viel Erfolg beim Lernen und bis bald! (Wishing you success in your studies, and see you soon!)

#alevelgerman