Why Choose This Subject?

Spanish

Why choose this subject?

If you enjoy foreign travel and meeting new people

If you would like to have the edge over other people in your choice of career

If you like expressing your ideas and points of view on issues which interest you

If you want to boost both your job prospects and your salary by speaking more than one language

If you want to gain a greater understanding of other cultures

If this applies to you, then you should study A-Level Spanish

Entry requirements: At least a 'B' in Spanish

Combine this course with: Any subject.

Essential if you go on to: Law, Journalism, Management or Teaching.

Course Description

A-level Spanish helps students develop confident, effective communication skills in Spanish and a thorough understanding of the culture of countries and communities whereSpanish is spoken. It develops an interest in, and enthusiasm for, language learning and encourages students to consider their study of the language in a broader context.The course will prepare you to become a well-informed and effective communicator:

You will be required to use Spanish as a language to present and organise facts, ideas, explanations, opinions and information in speech and in writing.

You will have to read a variety of texts, (articles, advertisements, letters and diaries) to gain knowledge and to form your own viewpoints.

You will listen to authentic materials such as interviews, news flash items and radio programmes.

You will have access to native speakers to practice your language skills on a regular basis.

AS Level Spanish

Students study the following topic areas:

*Social issues and trends

*Aspects of the political and artistic culture of Spain

*Spanish-speaking countries and communities

The Edexcel Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Spanish consists of two externally examined papers assessing listening, reading and writing and a non-examined assessment assessing speaking.

The speaking assessment is externally set and conducted by a teacher/examiner.

All assessments are marked by Edexcel.

Students must complete their speaking assessment in April/May and all other assessments in May/June in any single year.

The course is assessed through two examination papers:

*Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation

Written examination: 1 hour and 50 minutes - 40% AS

*Paper 2: Written response to work, grammar and translation

Written examination: 1 hour and 40 minutes - 30% of AS

*Paper 3: Speaking

Internally conducted and externally assessed - 30% of AS

A2 Level Spanish

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

* Enhance their linguistic skills and promote and develop their capacity for critical thinking on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the language, culture and society of the country or countries where the language is spoken

* Develop control of the language system to convey meaning, using spoken and written skills, including an extended range of vocabulary, for both practical and intellectual purposes as increasingly confident, accurate and independent users of the language

* Develop their ability to interact effectively with users of the language in speech and in writing, including through online media

* Develop language learning skills and strategies, including communication strategies tosustain communication and build fluency and confidence

* Engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts, films and other materials in the original language, developing an appreciation of sophisticated and creative uses of the language and understanding them within their cultural and social context

* Mediate between cultures and between speakers of the language and speakers of English

*Foster their ability to learn other languages

* Equip themselves with transferable skills such as autonomy, resourcefulness, creativity, critical thinking, and linguistic, cultural and cognitive flexibility that will enable them to proceed to further study or to employment

Students study the following topic areas:

Changes in Spanish society

Political and artistic culture in Spanish-speaking countries

Immigration and Spanish multicultural society

Francoist dictatorship and transition to democracy

The Edexcel Advanced GCE in Spanish consists of two externally examined papers assessing listening, reading and writing and a non-examined assessment assessing speaking.