Future Plans: Work: Exam Skills (AQA GCSE German): Revision Note

Exam code: 8662

Lynn Griffin

Written by: Lynn Griffin

Reviewed by: Amy Bates

Updated on

  • Questions about future work plans are common across all four papers

  • You might be asked to listen to someone describe their dream job, read about someone's experience of work, or write about your plans for the future

  • The vocabulary and grammar in this unit will help you perform well in all of these situations

Future plans: work: listening

  • In the listening exam, there will be some questions where you need to select the correct letters from a list of options

  • This question will help you practise this

Worked Example

You listen to Sophie and Markus talking about their future plans. What is important to them?

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00:00
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00:00

A

earning money

B

holidays

C

helping others

D

travelling

E

meeting new people

F

developing new skills

Write the two correct letters for each person.

  • Sophie:

  • Markus:

    Answers:

  • Sophie: C, A
    In der Zukunft werde ich Arzt werden weil ich gern anderen Menschen helfe. Ich möchte eine Arbeit, wo ich viel verdienen kann.

  • Markus: E, D
    Mein Traum ist es Journalist zu werden. Ich schreibe gern Artikel und treffe gern neue Leute. Ich möchte gern reisen und im Ausland arbeiten.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

When presented with multiple-choice options, it is useful to note down the vocabulary in German before listening to help you to listen out for key words - these are indicated in bold in the answers above.

Future plans: work: speaking

  • In part 2 of the speaking exam, you will read a short text aloud in German and then answer four questions in German based on the topic of the text

  • This question will help you practise reading aloud accurately

Worked Example

Read aloud this text in German:

  • Ich möchte später als Polizist arbeiten.

  • Mein Vater ist Verkäufer und verdient nicht viel Geld.

  • In der Zukunft wird er in einem Büro arbeiten.

  • Meine Schwester hat eine Stelle bei einer großen Firma gefunden.

  • Sie ist sehr erfolgreich und ich finde sie toll.

Answers:

  • You should have identified that the letter v sounds like f: Verkäufer, verdient, viel, von

  • You should have identified that the letter w sounds like v: wie

  • You should have identified that the umlaut ü in Büro - round lips as if saying oo, then say ee

Future plans: work: reading

Higher tier

  • In the reading exam, you may need to match headlines or statements to topics

  • This question will help you practise identifying key information

Worked Example

You see some headlines from a German careers website. Which headline matches each topic?

A

Wie bereitet man sich auf ein Vorstellungsgespräch vor?

B

Die Autoindustrie sucht neue Arbeitnehmer

C

Immer mehr Jugendliche gründen ihr eigenes Unternehmen

D

Die Arbeitslosigkeit in Deutschland steigt weiter

E

Welche Ausbildung passt am besten zu dir?

  • Unemployment: _____

  • Job interview preparation: _____

  • Young entrepreneurs: _____

Answers:

  • Unemployment: D
    The headline means: Unemployment in Germany continues to rise

  • Job interview preparation: A
    The headline means: How do you prepare for a job interview?

  • Young entrepreneurs: C
    The headline means: More and more young people are setting up their own company

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • It is important to be able to identify key information quickly - you don't always need to understand every word

  • Read the topic labels first, then look for the key vocabulary in each headline that matches

  • Watch out for synonyms - the headline may use a different word from the topic label but mean the same thing

Future plans: work: writing

  • In the writing exam, you need to translate five English sentences into German

  • There are two marks per sentence

  • This question will help you to practise translating into German

Here are some tips:

  • Focus on conveying the meaning accurately rather than translating word for word

  • Check your verb forms, noun genders and word order carefully - the verb must come second in a German main clause

Foundation Tier

Worked Example

Translate the following sentences into German.

1. I would like to become a police officer.
2. My colleague works in a large office.
3. She is a doctor and earns a lot of money.
4. We are going to do an apprenticeship.
5. My parents are both unemployed.

Answers:

1. Ich möchte Polizist / Polizistin werden.
2. Mein Kollege / Meine Kollegin arbeitet in einem großen Büro.
3. Sie ist Ärztin und verdient viel Geld.
4. Wir werden eine Ausbildung machen.
5. Meine Eltern sind beide arbeitslos.

Higher tier

Worked Example

Translate the following sentences into German.

  1. I would like to become a scientist as I enjoy technical jobs.

  2. She wants to found her own company and earn a good salary.

  3. If I had the opportunity, I would work abroad.

  4. My employer is fair but the salary is too low for the employees.

  5. After my apprenticeship, I would like to find a good job.

Answers:

  1. Ich möchte Wissenschaftler werden, da ich technische Berufe mag.

  2. Sie möchte ihre eigene Firma gründen und ein gutes Gehalt verdienen.

  3. Wenn ich die Möglichkeit hätte, würde ich im Ausland arbeiten.

  4. Mein Arbeitgeber ist gerecht, aber das Gehalt ist für die Arbeitnehmer zu niedrig.

  5. Nach meiner Lehre möchte ich eine gute Arbeit finden.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • Some words have acceptable synonym alternatives

  • For example, you can use Lohn or Gehalt for salary, and Firma or Unternehmen for company

  • In exams, you will not lose marks for choosing one correct synonym over another, as long as the meaning is clear and appropriate

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Lynn Griffin

Author: Lynn Griffin

Expertise: Content Writer

Lynn is a qualified MFL teacher and English Language specialist, fluent in four languages and experienced across secondary schools in Luxembourg, the UK, and international language schools. She holds an MA in English Literature, a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages, and a Cambridge CELTA, and specialises in GCSE German, Academic English, IELTS, and Cambridge exam preparation. Lynn now works as a private tutor and education consultant in Surrey, supporting students from primary level through to advanced qualifications.

Amy Bates

Reviewer: Amy Bates

Expertise: Content Writer

Amy writes and reviews content for French, German and Spanish at Save My Exams, as well as writing and reviewing articles for the Learning Hub.