Spanish

Course outline

AQA

The Spanish A Level course enables students to develop their linguistic skills alongside their understanding of the culture and society of the countries where Spanish is spoken. You will study the following topics in the context of the Hispanic world:

• Technological and social change, for example social media and equal rights.

• Highlights of Hispanic artistic culture, including a focus on Spanish regional identity and the cultural heritage of past civilisations, for example the Inca civilisation.

• Aspects of the diverse political landscape of the Hispanic world, for example Latin American dictatorships.

• The influence of the past on present-day Hispanic communities.

In Year 1 you will study a film and in Year 2 we will read a novel. This will enhance your language skills and give you an insight into the target language culture. You will also research a topic of your choice and discuss this in the oral assessment.

By the end of the course you will be able to speak Spanish with confidence and fluency, and be able to use your language skills at a high level, for example in the workplace, at further study in higher education or on a placement year abroad as part of a degree course.

The A Level examination consists of three components. Component 1 assesses listening, reading and writing skills (50%). In component 2 you will write about the film and novel that you have studied (20%). Component 3 is the oral assessment (30%).

Apart from all the jobs that use languages directly (travel, teaching, interpreting/ translating, business, politics, law, development

- the list is long) the other skills that you develop are directly transferable in other areas. These skills include communication, flexibility, global awareness and a rigorous and detailed approach to study, among others. Don’t forget that learning Spanish opens up huge possibilities for travel and business in Spain, South America and Central America as well as in some important areas in the USA.

In the Spanish department we believe that going to a country where Spanish is the native language is an essential part of the course. We advise going on a course in a language school in Spain and staying with a host family.

We take every opportunity to get involved in Spanish or Latin American cultural activities such as Art exhibitions, theatre performances and film. We have 3 native speakers in the department who inspire our students and ensure that language skills are of the highest order.

“I chose Spanish because it’s a fun and challenging subject. Knowledge of a foreign language is a great life skill that is very attractive to employers.”