A Level Spanish
Overview:
Spanish is an academic and engaging A Level in which students develop an awareness and understanding of contemporary society, cultural background and heritage of Spain and Spanish speaking countries. Students enhance their linguistic skills and engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts, films and contemporary themes, through listening, reading and responding to a variety of spoken and written texts. In class, students are encouraged to use the Spanish language accurately to express facts and ideas, and to present explanations, opinions and information in both speech and writing. Students are assessed in speaking, listening, reading and writing and their ability to respond critically and analytically to the study of a literary work and film.
The aim of the course is to develop linguistic and cultural understanding of Spain/Hispanic countries by studying social, intellectual, historical and political cultural themes, literature and film. Research an area of interest and become a more fluent Spanish speaker.
“The teachers are amazing at their jobs and develop good relationships with the students”
Course Structure and Content:
Year 1: 2 themes, 1 film (currently El Laberinto del Fauno).
Year 2: 2 themes, 1 literary work (currently Como Agua Para Chocolate), independent research project.
- Theme 1 - Being a young person in Spanishspeaking society Families and citizenship, Youth trends and personal identity, Education and employment opportunities.
- Theme 2 - Understanding the Spanish-speaking world Regional culture and heritage in Spain, Spanishspeaking countries and communities. Media, art, film and music in the Spanish-speaking world.
- Theme 3 - Diversity and difference Migration and integration. Cultural identity and marginalisation. Cultural enrichment and celebrating difference. Discrimination and diversity.
- Theme 4 - The two Spains: 1936 onwards El Franquismo, Post-Civil War Spain-historical and political repercussions. Spain - coming to terms with the past?
Click here to download a course flyer
Assessment:
At the end of the Lower Sixth, students sit an exam on all of the Lower Sixth content. This does not count towards the final grade, but assesses the content at this half-way point before progression to the Upper Sixth. The final assessments at the end of the Upper Sixth are as below:
- Assessment 1 - 30% Speaking independent research project presentation and discussion stimulus card (60 marks).
- Assessment 2 - 50% 2 hours 30 minutes listening, reading and translation paper based on Themes 1 to 4 (100 marks). Assessment 3 - 20% 2 hour written paper based on film and literary work (40 marks).
Examination Board:
The course followed is the WJEC Eduqas A Level Spanish A810QS
Eduqas A Level Spanish (external link)
Future career opportunities:
Highly valued by Russell Group universities including Oxford, Cambridge and the LSE for single and joint honours degrees. Employment in Education; Translation; Hospitality: Tourism; IT; Law; Civil Service; Local Government; Media and Journalism.