A Complete Guide to A-Level German Individual Research Project (IRP)

One of the most unique and rewarding elements of the A-level German exam is the Individual Research Project (IRP), which forms part of the speaking exam (Paper 3). It allows you to choose a topic that genuinely interests you — whether historical, political, cultural or social — and present your findings in a two-minute monologue, followed by a 6–7 minute discussion with the examiner.

But while the freedom to choose your topic is exciting, success depends on how well you structure and research your project — especially how well your presentation matches your chosen headings and sources, and how confidently you handle the follow-up discussion.

This blog post explains how to prepare a high-quality IRP, how to align your content with your research headings, and how to anticipate and answer questions with confidence.

How to prepare for the IRP in A-level German

Looking for more help with your A-level German? Check out our intensive half-term A-level German revision courses to get the perfect exam preparation! 🎓

Excellent A-level German Tutor

Understanding the Criteria for the A-level German IRP

The IRP is a two-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session, totalling around 8-12 minutes in length. It requires students to conduct independent research on a topic related to the German-speaking world and present their findings in German.

Choosing the Right Topic:

When selecting a topic for the IRP, you should choose something they are genuinely interested in and passionate about. Here are some examples of potential topics:

• German Literature: Analysing the works of a particular German author or literary movement.

• History and Politics: Exploring a significant event or political figure in German history.

• Culture and Society: Investigating contemporary cultural trends or social issues in German-speaking countries.

• Language and Linguistics: Examining aspects of the German language, dialects, or language acquisition.

Here are some examples of topics I supervised in the past:

• Germany's vocational training system

• Germany's school system

• Boschwitz "Der Reisende"

• Made in Germany

• Abtreibung

• Kraftwerk- history, music style, performances

Preparing for IRP Success:

To excel in the IRP, students should follow these key pieces of advice:

1. Thorough Research: Conduct in-depth research using a variety of sources, including books, academic journals, and reputable websites.

2. Organised Structure: Structure the presentation with a clear introduction, main points, and conclusion. Your presentation is meant to initiate a conversation about your chosen topic, so don't try to cram everything that you have researched into it. Instead, be strategic and think about the points you'd like to elaborate on during the Q&A.

3. Practice Speaking: Practice delivering the presentation multiple times to improve fluency, pronunciation, and confidence. Make sure that it is not longer than 2 minutes.

4. Anticipate Questions: Anticipate potential questions based on your presentation and prepare thoughtful responses in advance. The examiners will ask follow-up questions depending on what you are saying, so write out the answers to the questions you anticipate and direct the conversation. Your answers should be clear and concise.
   

How to Structure Your Presentation and Q&A for Success

🧩 What Are IRP Headings and Why Do They Matter?

When you submit your IRP to the exam board, you're required to provide:

• Your title

• A short research summary in German

• A list of three to four main research headings

• Sources in German and/or English (ideally a mix of both)

Your presentation must reflect the headings you submitted, and the examiner's questions will be based on these — not on topics outside your scope.

Example:If your IRP is on Sachsen – Zwischen Tradition, Wandel und Innovation, your submitted headings might be:

• Geografie und wirtschaftliche Struktur

• Kulturelle Bedeutung (z. B. Chemnitz 2025)

• Politische Entwicklungen und Wahlergebnisse

• Herausforderungen im demografischen Wandel

Your presentation must then cover all of these areas briefly but clearly — within 280–300 words or two minutes speaking time. Any content that falls outside these headings may confuse the examiner and lead to unpredictable questions.

🗣️ Structuring a High-Scoring IRP Presentation

Think of your IRP as a mini TED Talk: it should be concise, well-organised, and clearly reflect your personal research. Your aim is to show that you've studied reliable sources, identified key issues, and can summarise findings in your own words using precise, sophisticated German.

What to include:

• A brief introduction with your topic and why you chose it

• Key points under each of your research headings

• Statistics, names, or events from your sources

• A brief conclusion or evaluation

What to avoid:

• Unrelated background information

• Overuse of memorised phrases or unclear generalisations

• Unsubstantiated personal opinions without evidence

🔍 Example: Topic – Sachsen and Chemnitz

Title: Sachsen – Zwischen Tradition, Wandel und InnovationHeadings:

1. Geografie und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung

2. Kultur und Tourismus (z. B. Chemnitz 2025)

3. Politische Entwicklung und Wahlergebnisse

4. Herausforderungen wie Fachkräftemangel und Rechtspopulismus

Your presentation should address each heading, like this:

„Sachsen liegt im Osten Deutschlands und grenzt an Polen und Tschechien. Wirtschaftlich ist es führend im Bereich Mikroelektronik und Logistik – Dresden gilt als ‚Silicon Saxony‘. Kulturell ist Chemnitz besonders spannend: 2025 ist es Europäische Kulturhauptstadt mit Projekten wie dem ‚Purple Path‘. Politisch ist Sachsen polarisiert – die AfD erhielt zuletzt über 30 %. Herausforderungen sind u.a. der demografische Wandel und rechtsextreme Tendenzen, aber es gibt auch starke zivilgesellschaftliche Gegenbewegungen wie in Chemnitz.“

This structure keeps the focus tight and ensures the examiner’s questions are relevant and manageable.

❓ Preparing for the Q&A: 8–10 Questions Based on Your Presentation

The discussion after your monologue should feel like an informed conversation, but to succeed, you must anticipate the examiner’s questions. These will usually:

• Refer back to your headings or ideas in your speech

• Ask for explanations ("Warum ist das so wichtig?")

• Request opinions or comparisons ("Was denken Sie über…?")

• Challenge generalisations ("Ist das überall in Sachsen so?")

💡 Top tip: Write out 8–10 potential questions based on your headings, then prepare answers of 7–10 lines in German, using evidence and examples from your sources.

✅ Example Q&A for Sachsen IRP

Frage: Welche politischen Entwicklungen prägen Sachsen aktuell?Antwort: Sachsen ist politisch gespalten. Die AfD erhielt 2024 rund 35 % der Stimmen, vor allem in ländlichen Regionen. Die CDU regiert in einer Koalition mit SPD und Grünen. Es gibt aber auch starke Initiativen gegen Rechts, wie „Herz statt Hetze“ in Chemnitz.📌 Quelle: tagesschau.de, Amadeu Antonio Stiftung

Repeat this process for all your headings. Remember: your answers should feel natural, not rehearsed — but well-informed.

📚 What Counts as a Good Source?

Use a mix of online articles, statistics, and academic sources in both German and English. Good examples include:

• Tagesschau.de (current politics)

• Statistikportal Sachsen (demographics, economy)

• chemnitz2025.de (cultural projects)

• Deutsche Welle / Deutschlandfunk

• bpb.de (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung)

Avoid unreliable blogs, opinion-heavy sources, or Wikipedia as your main reference.

Anticipating Q&A:

During the Q&A session, you should be prepared to answer questions related to your presentation. Here are some examples of potential questions and how to respond:

1. Question: Können Sie bitte genauer eingehen auf... Can you elaborate on [specific aspect of your topic]? Answer: Natürlich/Sicher. Of course/Certainly, [provide additional information or clarification].

2. Question: Wie passt Ihr Thema zu....? How does your topic relate to [broader theme or concept]? Answer: Meine Recherche zeigt, dass...wie folgendes Beispiel zeigt... My research demonstrates [connection to broader theme], as evidenced by [relevant examples or evidence].

3. Question: Was sind die Implikationen/Schlussfolgerungen Ihrer Forschung? What are the implications of your findings? Answer: Die Implikationen meiner Forschung sind, dass.. The implications of my findings suggest that [explain implications or potential outcomes].

   
   

🎓 Want Help With Your IRP?

At Olesen Tuition, we offer specialist one-to-one IRP preparation sessions with an Oxford-educated native tutor. Whether you're working on Sachsen, Kunst im Nationalsozialismus or Elektromobilität, we help students:

✔️ Develop a strong, topic-focused presentation

✔️ Select excellent sources and headings

✔️ Prepare and practise for Q&A fluently

✔️ Achieve A*/A results with confidence

🌟 Want to secure top marks? Explore our A-level German Easter revision courses — taught by expert native tutors with over 25 years of experience and a proven 95% A*/A success rate:

👉 Year 13 A-level German Revision Course

📌 Final Tips

• Stick closely to your headings — they shape your exam!

• Base your presentation on facts, not just opinions

• Practise your Q&A in timed conditions

• Stay calm, clear, and confident — you’re the expert on your topic!

Viel Erfolg beim IRP – du schaffst das!

In conclusion, the A-level German Individual Research Project is a valuable opportunity for students to showcase their research skills and knowledge of the German-speaking world. By following the criteria, selecting the right topic, and preparing diligently, students can excel in their IRP presentation and Q&A session, earning recognition for their hard work and dedication.

If you found this post helpful, please like and share it with others so that many students can benefit from it. Thank you.

On my blog, you'll find helpful posts on all of the A-level German papers, such as how to get an A* in the A-level speaking exam more generally, how to write excellent A-level German essays, A-level German revision guides on Goodbye Lenin, Das Leben der Anderen, Der Besuch der alten Dame and Der Vorleser.

#alevelgerman #irp