Thornleigh Sixth Form

The A Level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and society.

The content is suitable for students who wish to progress to employment or to further study, including a modern languages degree. The specification has been designed to be studied over two years.

Spanish A Level enables students to develop their linguistic skills alongside their understanding of the culture and society of the countries where Spanish is spoken. Students will study technological and social change, looking at the multicultural nature of 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 will explore the influence of the past on present-day Hispanic communities. Throughout their studies, they learn the language in the context of Hispanic countries and issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study texts and 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.

Entry Requirements

GCSE Spanish Grade 6 or above.

What will I Study?

The approach is a focus on how Spanish-speaking society has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change. Over the 2 years, the students study aspects of the social context, matters associated with multiculturalism, together with aspects of the artistic life of Spanish-speaking countries. 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.

The Evolution of Spanish Society:
Changes in the family structure (the change in attitudes towards marriage, relationships and family).
The world of work (working life in Spain, opportunities for young people, gender equality).
The impact of tourism in Spain (economic impact, opportunities offered by tourism, social-environmental impact).

Political and Artistic Culture in the Hispanic World:
Music (changes and trends, the impact of music on modern culture).
Media (television and telenovelas, written media and online media, social and political impact).
Festivals and traditions (festivals, customs and traditions).

Immigration and Multicultural Spanish Society:
The positive impact of immigration in Spanish society (the contributions of immigrants to the economy and culture).

Facing the challenges of immigration and integration in Spain (actions taken by local communities, marginalisation and isolation from the perspective of immigrants).

The social and public reaction towards immigration in Spain (political approach to immigration, public opinion).

The Franco Dictatorship and the Transition to Democracy:
The Spanish Civil War and the rise of Franco (1936-1939) (the Civil War, the rise of Franco, the republicans vs. the nationalists, divisions in society).

The Franco dictatorship (daily life under the Franco dictatorship, political oppression, censorship, divisions in society).

The transition from dictatorship to democracy (the role of King Juan Carlos in the transition, the Suárez government, the coup of 1981).

Which exam board is used and how will I be assessed?

Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation

Written examination: 2 hours, 40% of the qualification 80 marks.

Content overview
This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes. Themes are based on the society and culture of the language being studied.

Assessment overview
Section A: Listening (30 marks) A listening assessment based on a recording, featuring male and female Spanish speakers. Students will respond to comprehension questions based on a variety of contexts and sources.

Section B: Reading (30 marks) A reading assessment based on a variety of text types and genres where students will have to respond to comprehension questions.

Section C: Translation into English (20 marks) An unseen passage to be translated from Spanish to English.

Paper 2: Written response to works and translation

Written examination: 2 hours and 40 minutes, 30% of the qualification 120 marks.

Content overview
This paper draws on the study of two discrete Spanish works: one literary text and one film.

Assessment overview

Section A: Translation (20 marks) Students translate an unseen passage from English into Spanish.

Section B: Written response to works (literary texts) (50 marks) Students must write an extended response on either one of the literary texts.

Section C: Written response to works (films) (50 marks) Students must write an extended response on one of the films.

Paper 3: Speaking
Internally conducted and externally assessed Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes, which includes a single period of 5 minutes’ formal preparation time 30% of the qualification, 72 marks

Content overview
Task 1 draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Task 2 is based on independent research selected and carried out by the student. The research may be based on one of the themes or on the student’s own subject of interest related to the society and culture of the language studied.

Students will be assessed on their ability to use a range of language accurately, communicate and interact effectively, summarise and analyse findings from written sources relating to their research subject, and show knowledge and understanding about the culture and society where the language is spoken.

Assessment overview

Students complete two tasks.

Task 1 is worth 30 marks and Task 2 is worth 42 marks.

Task 1 (discussion on a Theme) Students discuss one theme from the specification based on a stimulus containing two different statements.

Task 2, Part 1 (independent research presentation) Students present a summary of at least two of the written sources they have used for their research and give a personal response to what they have read.

Task 2, Part 2 (discussion on independent research) Students answer questions on their presentation and then have a wider discussion on their research.

Where could this subject take me?

Learning a foreign language is not just about acquiring knowledge of grammar and vocabulary - you develop a range of skills that are highly sought after by employers in all sectors of the working world.

Skills such as problem solving, cultural knowledge, organisation, communication, brain power, public speaking, analysis and independence. These language skills are considered an asset in a range of careers, from engineering and law to hospitality and sales. Languages open the door to your future.

How can I get ahead in this subject

Refresh your Spanish vocabulary by revising GCSE vocabulary as this vocabulary is the foundation for A-level Spanish.

Find a website, e.g. Memrise, or app that you like and get into the habit of spending a few minutes reviewing and extending your vocabulary each day.

Revise basic Spanish grammar, especially nouns and articles, the present, past and future tenses and adjectives.

Visit Primerasnoticias each day, even if you only have time to read the headlines, and start to familiarise yourself with the A Level themes and written Spanish at this more advanced level.

Listen to Spanish radio by visiting this web site Listenlive and clicking on the hyperlink under the ‘Listen Live’ column of your preferred radio station.