A Level Spanish

Please apply via PS16. Any applications received by 31/1/25 are guaranteed an interview in February - April 2025, as long as minimum entry requirements are met. Offers are made after interview.

What will I be studying?

This course is designed for you to:

• derive enjoyment and benefit from language learning;

• acquire knowledge, skills and understanding for practical use, further study and/or employment;

• communicate with speakers of the language;

• take your place in a multilingual global society

Over the two years, you will study a variety of aspects of Spanish-speaking society.

We study the following topics in Years 12 &13…

Aspects of Hispanic society

• Modern and traditional values

• Cyberspace

• Equal rights

Artistic culture in the Hispanic world

• Modern day idols

• Spanish regional identity

• Cultural heritage or Cultural landscape

Multiculturalism in Hispanic society

• Immigration

• Racism

• Integration

Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world

• Today’s youth, tomorrow’s citizens

• Monarchies and dictatorships

• Popular movements

In addition, we also study a novel and a film:

Film: El Laberinto del Fauno

Novel: Como Agua Para Chocolate

This course will be taught in a small group, and you will be expected to make an active contribution in lessons. Lessons will be a mixture of listening, reading, speaking and writing, as well as grammar and translation work. You will also be required to work independently at home. This will include completing homework set by your teacher and independent work such as: wider reading around topic areas; researching key facts; vocabulary learning and grammar practice.

A Level Spanish will enable you to build on the skills that you have learnt at GCSE and deepen your understanding of the language, culture, society and history of Spain and Spanish speaking countries. In addition, you will develop your grammatical knowledge and your spoken fluency further. You will read and listen to authentic material in order to develop your comprehension skills and your knowledge of the culture. You will learn how to write essays or longer pieces and to hold conversations and discussions in the target language.

Paper 1: LISTENING, READING AND WRITING

What's assessed?

Aspects of Hispanic society

Artistic culture in the Hispanic world

Multiculturalism in Hispanic society

Aspects of political life in Hispanic society

Grammar

Time: 2 hour 30 minutes

100 marks – 50%

PAPER 2: WRITING

What's assessed?

Two essay questions on the novel and film that we have studied in class.

Time: 2 hours

80 marks – 20%

PAPER 3: SPEAKING

What's assessed?

Individual research project

One of four themes (i.e. Aspects of Hispanic society or Artistic culture in the Hispanic world or Multiculturalism in Hispanic society or Aspects of political life in Hispanic society)

Speaking exam - 21-23 minutes including 5 mins preparation time

60 marks

30% of A level

GCSE Grade 5 Spanish. If you have not studied this subject at GCSE level you will need to take a spoken test.

There will be a wide range of opportunities open to you. An A Level in a language is a highly regarded qualification which will open many doors. Students may choose to study languages at degree level alone or alongside another subject. It also adds an extra dimension to your personal skills profile which will impress people who read your CV and put you in a stronger position to get a job in companies with international links.