KS5 - Spanish

A Level (AQA)

The A Level Spanish course is designed to enable students to develop their linguistic skills alongside their understanding of the culture and society of countries where Spanish is spoken. The specification has been designed to be studied over two years.

Students study technological and social change, looking at the multicultural nature of the Hispanic society. They will study highlights of Hispanic artistic culture, including a focus on Spanish regional identity and the cultural heritage of past civilisations. They will learn about aspects of the diverse political landscape of the Hispanic world.

Students also explore the influence of the past and present-day Hispanic communities. Throughout their studies, they will learn the language in the context of Hispanic countries and issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study a text and a film and will have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice.

Assessment tasks will be varied and cover listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

The approach is a focus on how the Spanish-speaking society has been shaped, socially and culturally, and how it continues to change. In the first year, aspects of the social context are studied, together with aspects of the artistic life of Spanish-speaking countries. In the second year further, aspects of the social background are covered, this time focusing on matters associated with multiculturalism. Students also study aspects of the political landscape including the future of political life in the Hispanic world by focusing on young people and their political engagement.

Furthermore, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of countries where Spanish is spoken, and their language skills. They will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in Spanish.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Students will be assessed throughout the course, via half termly assessments, as well as the formal calendared mock examinations for the whole sixth form.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT

At the end of the course there will be three examinations.

Paper 1 – Listening, Reading & Writing (2 hours 30 minutes)

Paper 2 – Writing (text & film) (2 hours)

Paper 3 – Speaking (21-23 minutes)

a level spanish detailed course breakdown.pdf