Spanish

Course Content

Lessons are classroom based and taught mainly in Spanish.  The classrooms are equipped with interactive boards and students have access to individual laptops. Students will be working individually, in pairs or in small groups on a variety of activities including reading, keeping track of notes from topics covered in class, vocabulary extension work making use of online resources to acquire a wider range of vocabulary, grammar revision and extension will also be an integral part of daily activities in class. Effective learning is encouraged through a varied range of activities such as discussions, presentations, and debates. Students will also have a weekly session with a Spanish language assistant to further enhance their production of the spoken language. They will work with computers to practise their listening and research skills. Learning through independent effective study is crucial to students’ progress, and they are made understood that they should aim at learning beyond what is taught in the classroom and to test everything they have learned in different situations in order to increase their level of affectivity. Students are advised that every lesson generates at least an hour of independent study.

This 2-year course provides a rich cultural capital; it will nurture an interest and enthusiasm for language learning and encourages students to appreciate and respect other cultures.

Students will have access to resources from the Learning Resource Centre and CANVAS. The Spanish department can also loan some materials such as text book and study guides for the film and play we study.

Students are supported with their application to Oxbridge and other ambitious universities.

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/spanish-as-a-level/#tab_keydocuments

Being a young person in Spanish-speaking society

  • Families and citizenship
  • Changing family structures; the changing nature of marriage and partnership; being a good citizen
  • Youth trends and personal identity Trends in fashion; how young people respond to modern technology; relationships with others and peer pressure.
  • Education and employment opportunities
  • The education system and student issues; work and travel opportunities and the changing work scene.

Understanding the Spanish-speaking world

  • Regional culture and heritage in Spain, Spanish-speaking countries and communities Festivals; customs and traditions; historical sites; museums and galleries
  • Media, art, film and music in the Spanish-speaking world Trends in media and art, film and music in the lives of young people

Diversity and difference

  • Migration and integration Reasons for migration; factors which make migration/integration easy/difficult.
  • Cultural identity and marginalisation Reasons for marginalisation; ways to eliminate marginalisation.
  • Cultural enrichment and celebrating difference The positive aspects of a diverse society.
  • Discrimination and diversity Life for those who are discriminated against.

The two Spains: 1936 onwards

  • El franquismo.  Origins, development, and consequences.
  • Post-Civil War Spain – historical and political repercussions Control, represssion, and daily life in Franco's Spain.
  • Spain – coming to terms with the past? "Recuperación de la memoria histórica"; attempts to deal with the past; 'los desaparecidos'; removing the symbols of Franco's Spain.

This course provides students with a wealth of transferable skills such as problem-solving, memorising, summarising, translating, critical and analytical thinking, good communication and listening skills, organisation (deadlines to meet, notes and vocabulary to organise), grammatical awareness researching and essay-writing.

The acquisition of these skills makes students more attractive candidates to employers and universities. Studying Spanish at A-level enables students improve on their existing Spanish skills and develop their communication and independent study skills in an effective and confident manner. Students gain a thorough understanding of the culture and heritage of Spain and other Spanish – speaking countries and communities. They also explore the society, culture and current affairs of today’s Spain in order to gain a deeper appreciation of the language. When doing translations, which is a frequent practice in lessons, students expand their knowledge of English. They discover that a considerable number of Spanish words have an equivalent in formal English.

This course will make it much easier to work and/or study overseas.  All these strongly enhances students’ future work be it at university or in a professional capacity.

Languages are very versatile and complement most subjects. This two-year linear course can lead to a university degree as a main course or to as an optional component in combined degrees. You may choose to specialise in Spanish at university or combine your language with other subjects such as Engineering, History, Media and Journalism, Management and Business Studies, Teaching, Fashion Design, Travel and Hospitality Management, Accountancy, European Studies, or International or European Law or even Nursing and Medicine.

Through the two-year course, students complete periodical Internal Formal Assessments to monitor their progress.

At the end of the two years three external examinations:

Component 1: Speaking non-exam assessment: 21-23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation) 30% of qualification.

Component 2: Listening, Reading and Translation Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 50% of qualification.

Component 3: Critical and analytical response in writing (closed-book) Written examination: 2 hours 20% of qualification. Two essays – one based on La Casa de Bernarda Alba, and the second on El Laberinto del Fauno.

Whenever possible cultural trips and a visit to Spain will be on offer to enhance your understanding and language proficiency.