Spanish

EXAMINATION BOARD: AQA

SPECIFICATION CODE: 7692

EXPECTED GCSE REQUIREMENTS: A GRADE 7 OR ABOVE IN GCSE SPANISH.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The A Level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills that you gained at GCSE. Studying Spanish in the Sixth Form will foster a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, communication, as well as research skills and creativity, which are all highly valuable.

TOPICS:

The Spanish course features elements of geography, cinema, sociology, literature, politics, history and culture, giving you a genuine breadth of knowledge through the medium of the target language. In the Lower Sixth, you will learn about issues such as culture, traditions, the media and changes in lifestyle. You will also have the chance to study a film; currently Pan’s Labyrinth. At A Level, you will study a novel or a play, currently Como Agua Para Chocolate, as well as look into issues such as immigration, racism, multiculturalism and politics. All these topics will help you learn about the fascinating countries that make up the Hispanic world.

SKILLS:

Building on your success at GCSE, you will continue to work on speaking, reading, writing and listening along with new skills such as translation and summary writing. We will support you in developing all these skills and you will continue to have conversation classes. These lessons take place on a 1:1 basis and give you the opportunity to practise and to debate the content of your lessons. Studying a film and literature as part of your course will enable you to develop your analytical essay writing skills, which may support you in other A Levels you have chosen. Here are some of the ways you will be able to improve your language skills: n Listening - interviews, conversations, radio broadcasts, videos n Speaking - dialogues, pronunciation practice, short presentations and regular conversation classes n Reading - articles, magazines, books, newspapers, Internet sources n Writing - short articles, letters, reports, projects, poems, descriptions n Grammar - games, revision and practice in class and using the Internet

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

There are three papers at the end of the A2 course which are worth the following percentage of your qualification:

Paper 1 Listening, Reading and Translation –50% of the A Level; 2 hours 30 minutes

Paper 2 Writing – 20% of the A Level; 2 hours

Paper 3 Speaking – 30% of the A level; 21 - 23 minutes

Paper 1 Translation is from Spanish into English and Paper 2 Translation is from English into Spanish. In Paper 3, you will complete an Independent Research Project which you will discuss in the speaking examination. This NEA element allows you to develop your research skills and investigate a topic that is of interest to you about the Hispanic world.

WHERE WILL THIS TAKE ME?

Spanish A Level is for anyone who wants to broaden their horizons and learn about Hispanic culture whilst continuing to develop their language beyond GCSE. Pupils studying Spanish A Level should have a good grounding in grammar and a willingness to speak Spanish. There is also a requirement for pupils to undertake independent research and to keep abreast of news in the Spanish speaking world.

This course is for those looking to complement their studies in a range of fields from medicine and engineering to history, or for those who just want to learn more about Hispanic speaking countries. Having an A Level in a modern foreign language is a highly desired skill by employers.

Higher Education

As Spanish is an excellent subject to complement other fields of study, you will find that an increasing number of university courses will allow you to choose this as a subsidiary topic or as an elective.

WHAT ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ARE THERE?

The British Film Institute organise study days and, where these coincide with the film you are studying, we will arrange a trip to London. These are very useful as the speakers are experts in their field and give you another interpretation of the film.

Local schools organise Speed Debating events at various points in the year and we join with them to enable you to practise your speaking and enhance your knowledge of the topics. These are also a great opportunity to meet other Sixth Formers who are studying Spanish.

The MFL Club is a fabulous opportunity for you to pass on your knowledge to other members of the Tormead community and engage with younger girls.