A Level Spanish

OVERVIEW OF COURSE

This is a course which enables students to further develop their linguistic skills and gain a high level of confidence and ability in the Spanish. Students study technological and social changes, looking at the multicultural nature of Hispanic society. They learn about aspects of the diverse political landscape of the Hispanic world and explore the influence of the past on present-day Hispanic communities.

Students will study a text and a film and will have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice.

A language at A level is highly valued by prestigious universities as well as employers.

ASSESSMENT

The AQA A LEVEL SPANISH course is a 2-year linear course which consists of two externally examined papers (Paper 1 Listening, Reading and Translation and Paper 2 Literature written paper) and one speaking exam conducted internally in school by class teachers but marked externally.

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing - 100 marks and 50% of A-level

• Listening and responding to spoken passages from a range of contexts and sources covering different registers and adapted as necessary.

• Reading and responding to a variety of texts written for different purposes, drawn from a range of authentic sources, and adapted as necessary.

• Translation into English; a passage of minimum 100 words (10 marks)

• Translation into Spanish; a passage of minimum 100 words (10 marks).

Paper 2: Writing Exam- 80 marks and 20% of A level

• Students need to write 2 essays on a book or film from the list set in the specification

Paper 3: Speaking Exam (16-18 minutes + 5 min prep time)- 60 marks and 30% of A level

· Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5–6 minutes). The student studies the card for 5 minutes at the start of the test (25 marks).

· Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9–10 minutes) of individual research project (35 marks).

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

The MFL department runs regular lunchtime and after school GCSE Booster clubs.

The aim of these clubs is to help students gain more confidence and achieve their best possible grade but there are also extension clubs for students who would like to push themselves further and achieve more cultural knowledge and higher grades in their exams.

The MFL Department has organised various successful trips to Europe in the past and will continue to offer language residentials to students.

Every year the MFL Department celebrates European Languages Day and the French Bastille Day, with cultural whole school quizzes and guest speakers and runs regular quizzes, awards, and competitions.

The MFL department has also organised interactive and engaging MFL Theatre plays for students and provides students the opportunity of taking part in competitions run by the British Language Champions Association and attend language conferences.