Spanish
What will I study?
In Year 12, students will study two themes:
- Being a young person in Spanish-speaking society – topics include: family structures, traditional and modern values, friendships/relationships, youth trends, issues and personal identity, and educational and employment opportunities.
- Understanding the Spanish-speaking world – topics include: regional culture and heritage in Spain, Spanish-speaking countries and communities, and literature, art, film and music in the Spanish-speaking world.
In Year 13, students will study a further two units:
- Diversity and difference – this unit looks at migration and integration, cultural identity and marginalisation, cultural enrichment and celebrating difference, and discrimination and diversity.
- The Two Spains: 1936 onwards – this unit examines: El franquismo – origins, development and consequences; Post-Civil War Spain – historical and political repercussions; The Spanish Civil War and the transition to democracy (represented in the arts, cinema, literature, art and photography); and Spain – coming to terms with the past? “Recuperación de la memoria histórica”
WHAT THE LEARNERS SAY:“I love that Spanish is such a diverse subject. Not only do you learn linguistics and grammar, but also about the history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries.”
How will I be assessed?
There are two assessments taken at the end of the first year of the course:
- Unit 1: Speaking. Non-exam assessment: 12-15 minutes (plus additional 15 minutes preparation) 12% of qualification
- Unit 2: Listening, reading, translation and critical response in writing. This unit includes a critical essay based on a film studied from the prescribed list of films. Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 28% of qualification.
There are three assessments taken at the end of the second year of the course. Results from the two AS units are added to those of the year two units to make up the A Level qualification:
- Unit 3: Speaking Non-exam assessment, 11-12 minutes, 18% of qualification. This unit comprises one task; a presentation of an independent research project (chosen by you) and the ensuing discussion on the content of the research project in the language of study.
- Unit 4: Listening, reading and translation. Written examination: 2 hours 30% of qualification.
- Unit 5: Critical and analytical response in writing (closed-book). Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 12% of qualification. This unit involves writing one essay based on the literary work from the prescribed list studied during the course. There is a choice of four literary works at A Level.