Course Summary

This programme allows students to use Spanish for the purpose of communication and enables them to gather, analyse and exchange information and ideas in Spanish.

Entry requirements

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/equivalent or above, including English at grade 5 and Maths at grade 4, and you must have a grade 5 in Spanish at GCSE to undertake this course. An interest in Spanish-speaking countries and their culture is essential.

You will have an interview and initial assessment. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the interview but not the initial assessment. If you are successful, you will be allocated a place to study.

To progress to the second year, you will need to demonstrate a Pass grade or above in your first year.

Course Content

A-level course content:

• Social issues and trends
• Political and artistic culture
• Grammar
• Works - literary texts and films
• Individual research project

A-level topics include:

• Multiculturalism in Hispanic society including: immigration, racism and integration.
• Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world including: today’s youth, tomorrow’s citizens, monarchies, republics and dictatorships, and popular movements.

How will I be assessed?

The A-level exams in Spanish include questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to:

• draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study
• provide extended responses.

The exam board is AQA.

A-level assessment

Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing (2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of A-level)

Paper 2: Writing (2 hours, 80 marks in total, 20% of A-level)

Paper 3: Speaking (21–23 minutes including 5 minutes preparation time, 60 marks in total, 30% of A-level

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

No

What can I do after this course?

You may need languages for all sorts of career destinations - doctors, psychologists and physiotherapists need language skills to communicate effectively with patients whether they work in the UK or overseas. Business people, bankers and entrepreneurs all need language skills to make deals and sell products on the global market.

Politicians, historians, geographers and holiday reps all need language skills to get to know the people and area that they are passionate about. In addition, careers in teaching, translating/interpreting, journalism, importing/exporting and catering will all require advanced level language skills.

A foreign language A-level will complement and enhance your other studies too.

Note - you only need to make one application for A-levels. You can specify the additional A-Levels you wish to study when you fill out the application form