Spanish

Exam Board: Edexcel

Students studying for an A Level qualification will be tested on all subject content in terminal examinations at the end of Year 13.

Language-learning in Key Stage 5 moves from the purely personal (my school, my family etc.) into the study of more abstract topics, which demand an extensive range of topic-specific vocabulary and a broader range of ideas. There is a clear focus on aspects of life in Hispanic society. Knowledge of grammar is consolidated and extended to allow for effective delivery of ideas in writing and orally. There are two written papers at the end of the course, one of which tests listening and reading skills and ability to translate out of Spanish and the other focuses on essay writing and translation into Spanish. Speaking is tested through an interview in Spanish. This A Level course is currently taught collaboratively with Lordswood Girls’ School.

Course Content:

Year 12 subject content is as follows: Evolution of Spanish society: (e.g. Change in family structure, the world of work, impact of tourism on Spain), political and artistic culture in the Hispanic world (e.g. music, modern-day means of communication, festivals and traditions), grammar, one literary text or film from a prescribed list.

Year 13: Immigration and the multicultural Spanish society: (e.g. social and public reaction to immigration, positive impacts of immigration), The Franco dictatorship and the transition to democracy (e.g. Spanish civil war, daily life during the Franco dictatorship), grammar (extended) and a literary text or a film (whichever genre is not studied as part of the year 12 course).

Entry requirements:

Grade 6 in Spanish at GCSE.

Progression routes and careers:

Modern Languages are a real asset on your CV as they are one of the facilitating subjects at Advanced level for entry to the Russell Group Universities. They can be combined with a very wide range of different subjects for university level study.

“Leaving the EU will imply major changes in the UK’s labour market. Our ability to succeed in a competitive global environment will be even more dependent on having a workforce which is fit for purpose. Within this context, language competence is far more than just another tool in the box, but rather a prerequisite and a facilitator for the development of a wide spectrum of other vital skills and attributes.” (Ann Carlisle, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Linguists)