Modern Languages - Spanish

Studying Spanish at A level provides an engaging and exciting opportunity for learners to build on their previous study of the language. Through social, historical, political, and cultural themes, as well as film and literature, you will be able to develop your linguistic knowledge and cultural understanding of the countries where Spanish is spoken. There is a strong focus on building learners’ confidence and fluency in spoken Spanish using relevant and topical resources in lessons and for private study. You will also gain invaluable investigative skills as you undertake your own personal independent research project which will provide an excellent foundation for further study at university.

Component 1 - Speaking. The Independent Research Project (IRP) gives you the opportunity to choose an area of personal interest which you will then research extensively in order to present and discuss your findings as part of the speaking exam. You will also discuss a stimulus card about one of the 4 themes they have studied during the course. This exam will last approximately 20 minutes and is 30% of the final A Level Grade.

Component 2 - Students will study the four themes: Being a young person in Spanish speaking society; Understanding culture in the Spanish speaking world; Diversity and Difference; The Two Spains - 1936 onwards. This component is assessed through a 2½-hour exam with listening and reading questions plus two translations, from Spanish to English, and English to Spanish. It is worth 40% of the final A Level Grade.

Component 3 - Students will study a literary text (La Casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca) and a film (El Laberinto del Fauno “Pan’s Labyrinth” directed by Guillermo del Toro) and will explore the characters and themes in order to develop a detailed understanding and appreciation of the works. They will then be assessed through a 2-hour exam where they will write a critical and analytical response to each of the works. This is worth 30% of the final A Level Grade.

Minimum of five grade 4 GCSE passes; these must include at least grade 4 in Maths and English Language. Additionally, this course requires Grade 6 in Spanish.