Students will develop their understanding of themes relating to the society and culture of the country or countries where Spanish is spoken, and their language skills; they will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in Spanish.
The year 12 course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills, including communication, critical thinking and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and to society. Students will develop their understanding of themes relating to the society and culture of the country or countries where Spanish is spoken, and their language skills; they will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in Spanish.
The approach is a focus on how Spanish-speaking society has been shaped, socially and culturally, and how it continues to change. Students study aspects of the social context together with aspects of the artistic life of Spanish-speaking countries.
Students must also study one book or film from the lists in the specification. They must know, understand and be able to respond critically in writing in Spanish to the work they have studied. Their knowledge and understanding must include a critical response to aspects such as the structure of the plot, characterisation, and the use of imagery or other stylistic features appropriate to the work studied.
The year 13 course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained in year 12 and is suitable for students who wish to progress to employment or to further study, including a modern languages degree.
In the second year, further aspects of the social background are covered, this time focusing on matters associated with multiculturalism. Students also study aspects of the political landscape including the future of political life in the Hispanic world by focusing on young people and their political engagement.
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of countries where Spanish is spoken, and their language skills. They will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in Spanish.
The choice of works (literary texts and films) offers opportunities to link with the themes so that, for example, the novel ‘Crónica de una Muerte Anunciada’ could be linked to the sub-theme “Modern and Traditional Values” while the film ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ could be connected to the sub-theme “Monarchies and Dictatorships”.
Students must also study either one book and one film or two books from the specification. They must appreciate, analyse and be able to respond critically in writing in Spanish to the work they have studied. Their understanding of the work must include a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation as appropriate to the work studied.
Assessment is by exams at the end of year 13.
Paper 1 - Listening, Reading & Writing - 2hrs 30mins, 100 marks, 50% of A Level
Paper 2 - Writing - 2 hours, 80 marks, 20% of A Level
Paper 3 - Speaking - 21-23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time), 60 marks, 30% of A Level.
601/8732/3
Ms F Anderson
AQA
Students are expected to have 5 Grade 5 GCSEs including:
Grade 5 English Language
Grade 6 Spanish
Former students have gone on to study a variety of languages at University, as well as combining languages with courses in Law, Business or Science. Many Universities offer the opportunity to study a language as a subsidiary subject alongside a different degree, allowing you to keep up your language skills while you study something completely different. Speaking a foreign language can open up opportunities in a huge range of careers, as well as offering the chance of living or studying abroad. Foreign languages are necessary in most sectors due to the proliferation of multinational businesses, internet-based companies, and the onset of globalisation. In the Higher Education sector, for example, foreign language skills are required in a variety of roles. There are, of course, lecturing and teaching posts in foreign language departments that demand multi-lingual proficiency. International Offices also require foreign language speakers for translating and interpreting.