The world of work
Talk about school, training and careers, comparing experiences with future plans.
Section D · The world of work
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks. This lesson is shared with German 0525 because Cambridge states the subject content is otherwise the same; 7159 is graded 9–1. Cambridge lists 7159 as a limited-availability 9–1 qualification: in June, zone 3 and centres in Oman and UAE; in November, zone 3 only. Confirm your centre and series before choosing this code.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which sentence gives both a goal and a useful preparation step?
What you will learn
- Describe education, training, the classroom, learning tools and school subjects.
- Discuss study routines, school experiences and challenges.
- Describe jobs, careers, workplaces and responsibilities.
- Explain hopes, ambitions and preparation steps.
Describe learning and training
Use the right place and activity: «in der Schule lernen», «eine Ausbildung machen», «für eine Prüfung üben». Give a concrete example rather than only saying a subject is easy or difficult.
A main clause keeps its finite verb in second position: «Am Nachmittag lerne ich Deutsch.» With a «weil» clause, the finite verb moves to the end: «..., weil ich morgen eine Prüfung habe.»
Connect a career interest to a plan
Compare a job's duties, workplace and useful skills. «Ich möchte Ärztin werden» is an ambition; it does not say that the writer is already qualified.
A reason with «weil» makes a goal meaningful. Add one feasible step: researching a course, practising a skill or speaking with a careers adviser.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 subject page
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus for exams in 2025–2027 · Version 2
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus update for 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus for exams in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 2028 vocabulary list
Pause and explain
Complete: «Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Berlin ___».
Worked example
Read: «Mira lernt am liebsten Biologie, weil sie später im Labor arbeiten möchte. Im Moment besucht sie einen Erste-Hilfe-Kurs; danach will sie ein Praktikum suchen.» What is her goal, and what two steps does she mention?
Show the worked solution
- Find the future career idea.
- Separate the current activity from the later plan.
- Do not treat an intention as completed.
Answer Mira hopes to work in a laboratory. She is currently taking a first-aid course and plans to look for work experience afterwards.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Write four connected sentences about a school subject you enjoy, a tool you use, a difficulty and a future job you are curious about.
Give me a hint
Use a main clause, «aber», «weil» and a future intention.
Compare my reasoning
- Name the subject and tool.
- Explain one difficulty with «weil».
- Connect the subject to a career interest without claiming certainty.
Example: «Ich mag Biologie und benutze oft ein digitales Wörterbuch. Die Fachbegriffe sind schwierig, aber ich wiederhole sie jeden Abend, weil ich sie verstehen möchte. Später würde ich gern im Naturschutz arbeiten.»
Look for these in your work
- Covers subject and learning tool
- Explains a difficulty
- Frames the career as an ambition
Read: «Nach der Schule machte Leon ein Praktikum in einer Werkstatt. Er half bei einfachen Reparaturen und lernte, Werkzeuge sicher zu benutzen. Jetzt überlegt er, eine technische Ausbildung zu beginnen.» What did he do, learn and consider?
Give me a hint
Track the past events and the current decision separately.
Compare my reasoning
- Find the placement.
- Identify two things he learned or did.
- Notice that an apprenticeship is under consideration, not completed.
Leon completed work experience in a workshop, helped with simple repairs and learned to use tools safely. He is now considering a technical apprenticeship.
Look for these in your work
- Identifies the placement
- States what he learned or did
- Keeps the future option undecided
A student is choosing between a language course and a work placement. Recommend a next step for someone interested in tourism, and explain what information they should gather before deciding.
Give me a hint
Connect the interest to useful skills, then identify a practical comparison.
Compare my reasoning
- Name a tourism-related skill.
- Suggest one realistic next step.
- Compare time, cost and learning opportunity before deciding.
Example: «Für die Arbeit im Tourismus sind Sprachen und Kundenkontakt wichtig. Ich würde zuerst mit einem Reisebüro über ein kurzes Praktikum sprechen und gleichzeitig die Kurszeiten und Kosten vergleichen.» It is a reasoned recommendation, not a guarantee of employment.
Look for these in your work
- Links the pathway to relevant skills
- Suggests a feasible step
- Identifies useful comparison factors
Common mistakes
- Confusing a school subject with a qualification
- Putting the finite verb in the wrong position after «weil»
- Presenting a future ambition as a completed achievement
What can you explain now?
Where does the conjugated verb go in a «weil» clause?
Compare with the explanation
At the end of the clause
For example: «..., weil ich heute viel lerne.»
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Before leaving the world of work, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.