Spanish - A Level

Studying Spanish will help students develop the much-prized communication skills, that are so in demand by employers.

Students have the opportunity to develop their language skills in the College’s well-resourced classrooms, with access to the latest multimedia technology.

In addition, language students benefit from timetabled lessons with a Foreign Language Assistant to help them become more confident and competent speakers.

All students will have the opportunity to take part in a study trip to Spain, where they will stay with families, study the language for part of the day, and enjoy various activities – a great way to learn about Spanish culture and improve their speaking skills!

The course covers a wide variety of current issues over the two years. As well as revising and extending some of the topics studied at GCSE, students will learn about social and cultural themes within Hispanic society, including social values, equality and multiculturalism, regional identity and the influence of heritage, as well as studying aspects of politics and history. In addition, students will study in depth both a film and a work of literature. Grammar and language skills are integrated into the topic areas.

Students will enjoy this course if they:

• Enjoy communicating through writing and speaking 
• Have an interest in the culture of the Spanish speaking world 
• Are thinking of travelling, taking a gap year, or working abroad

The exam is taken in May/June and consists of 3 papers, all externally assessed which includes; a speaking examination lasting approximately 18 minutes, a listening, reading and writing paper (2 hours 30 minutes), and a writing paper including essay and translation (2 hours).

The exam board for this A Level is AQA.

Course Specific Trips & Visits

Spanish A Level students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of course related experiences. In recent years, these have included:

• A week-long study trip to Spain; cities visited have been Salamanca, San Sebastian or Granada
• Students attend classes at a dedicated language school, take part in cultural activities, and live with host families as paying guests
• Visits to UK universities for specific language events

By studying Spanish at A level students will develop their skills in communication, an ability highly prized by employers.  Students will use the latest multimedia technology to practise their language skills and learn more about Spain and other Spanish speaking countries, as they study a range of topics from historical perspectives to the present day. In addition they will have extra sessions in small groups with a Foreign Language Assistant to build their confidence in speaking.

There is no substitute for spending time in the country where the language is spoken.  We offer a study trip to Salamanca in Spain, where students live with host families and participate in small group classes and other cultural activities, allowing them to experience life in Spain at first hand, and immerse themselves in the language.

Students will need a satisfactory school reference and also meet the following minimum GCSE requirement:

• Grade 6 in Spanish, if taken or native speaker.