Spanish (A-Level

A

Le vels

Spanish

Spanish “Conocer un otro idioma es poseer una segunda alma” (to know a different language is to possess a second soul). Nowadays, the ability to speak a foreign language is essential in enabling you to gain a better understanding of the world around you but also to be more competitive in the job market.

Spanish is the native language of an estimated half a billion people in the world, which qualifies it as the second language with the highest number of native speakers in the world behind Mandarin and ahead of English.

COURSE AIMS • To enhance their linguistic skills and promote and develop their capacity for critical thinking on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the language, culture and society of the countries where the language is spoken • To develop control of the language system to convey meaning, using spoken and written skills • To develop their ability to interact effectively with users of the language • To develop language learning skills and communication strategies to sustain communication and build fluency and confidence • To engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts, films and other materials in the original language within their cultural and social context • To develop knowledge about matters central to the society and culture, past and present, of the country or countries where the language is spoken • To foster their ability to learn other languages • To equip themselves with transferable skills such as autonomy, resourcefulness, creativity, critical thinking, and linguistic, cultural and cognitive flexibility that will enable them to proceed to further study or to employment 91 A-Level

ADVICE Students opting for this course should have: • A passion for Spanish culture and language • An openness to Hispanic culture • A willingness to learn about the culture and history of the target language • Attention to detail • A knowledge of current affairs in Spain and hispanophone countries • A willingness to have and share one’s opinion

ENTRY CRITERIA A minimum of a Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish (or equivalent) is required.

92

A-Level

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The students will be assessed on the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing). All assessments will take place in Year 13.

Component Weighting Duration Assessment Details

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (100 marks)

Paper 2: Writing (80 marks)

Paper 3: Speaking (60 marks) 50%

20%

30% 2 hrs 30 min

2 hrs

21-23 min (inc. 5 min prep. time) Written Exam: • Aspects of Hispanic society • Artistic culture in the Hispanic world • Multiculturalism in Hispanic society • Aspects of political life in Hispanic society • Grammar

• One text and one film or two texts from the list set in the specification • Grammar

Oral Exam: Individual research project in one of four themes ie: - Aspects of Hispanic society - Artistic culture in the Hispanic world - Multiculturalism in Hispanic society - Aspects of political life in Hispanic society