Course Guide

Spanish A level is divided into 4 core modules. In Year 1 (Year 12) you will study Aspects of Hispanic Society and Artistic Culture in the Hispanic World. These modules include a range of subtopics such as cyberspace, celebrity culture, women’s rights, regionalism and cultural heritage across the Hispanic world. In Year 2 (Year 13) 2 further topics are introduced: Multiculturalism in Hispanic Society which examines contemporary issues such as racism, integration and immigration; and Aspects of Political Life in the Hispanic World exploring monarchies, dictatorships and social movements in Spain and Latin America. In addition, students study two cultural topics during the course: the cinema of the renowned Spanish film director Pedro Almódovar (Year 12) and a play by Andalucía’s Federico García Lorca (Year 13).

Spanish A level is a 2-year linear course with all assessments taking place upon completion of the course as final examinations. Students will be assessed over all contemporary and cultural topic areas studied during the course. Separate papers tests skills in all four core language skills. Paper 1 is Listening, Reading and Writing; Paper 2 is a Speaking examination and Paper 3 is a Written Paper designed to test key essay writing and  translation skills in the foreign language.

Study of the cultural topics will include day trips to theatre and cinema to enrich students’ understanding of the cultural topics through (interactive) workshops. There will also be opportunities to visit Spain.

Spanish is a sought after and increasingly popular language across a range of careers, research opportunities and further education. ‘A level’ Spanish is a gateway to a career as a linguist (translator or interpreter), and is highly valued as a specialised and transferable skill for those wishing to pursue a career in education, law, international business and finance or global health economies.