Spanish AQA
Why study Spanish?
Spanish is thriving! More students in the UK are studying Spanish at GCSE and A Level than ever before because it still stands out on university or job applications amongst even the best candidates. Spanish is the official language of over twenty countries, the second most spoken language on the planet in terms of native speakers and by 2050, it is predicted that Spanish speakers will overtake the number of English speakers in the USA. This means speaking Spanish offers you opportunity and choice in terms of what you do and where you do it because you will acquire a very desirable set of skills by the end of the process. And don’t forget languages can be combined with other subjects to make for fascinating joint or combined honours degrees, e.g. Law with Spanish, Hispanic studies and History, Spanish and Business Management.
What about the A Level course?
As well as having their finger on the pulse of current affairs in Spain and Latin America, students will explore the sociopolitical issues that have been influential in Hispanic history and culture; from Francoto Fidel, from Ruiz Zafón to Rosalía, from Dalí to Del Toro and fromMachu Picchu to Madrid, students will gain an incredible insight into a vibrant and exciting world and simultaneously acquire the skills to communicate confidently and effectivelyacross a wide range of topics. Students can further immerse themselves in their language learning journey through enrichment opportunities ranging from cinema and gallery visits to trips and work experience abroad.
Entry Requirements
Preferably students would have achieved at least a grade 7 at GCSE level in Spanish.
What is Involved?
Students will sit three papers at A Level. The first paper will test listening, reading and translationcapabilities and is worth 50% of the total grade.
The second paper (20%) requires students to write about the works they have chosen to study over thecourse of the two years, choosing from either a book and a film or two books. The third paper (30%) is a speaking assessment; students respond to a visual stimulus card, deliver theirindividual research project and answer questions on their chosen topic.
We will cover four main topic areas, which are then divided into sub-topics:
• Social issues and trends in Hispanic society.
• Multiculturalism in Hispanic society.
• Artistic culture in the Hispanic world.
• Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world.
