Spanish AS/A Level

By the end of this course, you won’t just study Spanish — you’ll be able to live it. You’ll hold real conversations with native speakers on a wide range of topics, understand authentic Spanish written for native audiences, and gain a deep insight into the vibrant cultures and societies of the Spanish-speaking world.

Building on your GCSE foundation, this course helps you develop the confidence to express yourself more naturally and spontaneously in Spanish, while discovering the fascinating history, diversity and traditions of Spain and Latin America.

In your first year, you’ll study for the AS qualification before moving on to the full A Level.

This course is perfect if you love exploring different cultures, enjoy interactive learning, and aren’t afraid to dive in, take risks and “have a go” in class. Lessons are lively, practical and highly interactive, with the teacher speaking mainly in Spanish. You’ll soon find yourself chatting comfortably with classmates and working together on stimulating tasks.

What you’ll gain from the course:

• Greater fluency in Spanish and the confidence to share your own ideas.
• Insight into contemporary issues such as gender equality and multicultural society.
• An appreciation of Hispanic culture, from regional foods, fiestas and languages in Spain to the rich heritage of past civilisations.
• The chance to study a Spanish film and a play in depth.
• Opportunities to work with authentic sources: online media, TV, films and more.
• The freedom to explore a topic of your choice through an independent research project.
• Expanded vocabulary and a stronger grasp of grammar.
• Dedicated practice in small groups with our Spanish language assistant.
• The exciting opportunity to take part in a study trip to Seville in southern Spain.

Assessment

Assessment is through externally marked exams: one oral examination and two written papers (listening, reading, writing and translation).

What can I study alongside this course?

This course can be combined with others and goes particularly well with English Language, Business, English Literature, Film Studies, Politics and French/German, Geography and History, which all overlap in different ways. Languages are required alongside other skills in a wide range of workplaces, so Science A Levels or almost any other combination is very useful.

Future Steps: Some students go on to study a foreign language at university and may choose to specialise in an area of language such as translation, interpreting or language teaching. Many students combine a language with another area of interest such as Law, Engineering or Business, among many other possibilities. This enables them to establish a career abroad or with international companies.

You will need eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English Language and Maths).

You will also need a grade 6 or above in GCSE Spanish. Other experience in Spanish may be taken into account.

We normally offer practice with a Spanish Language Assistant alongside class work. In our weekly IT suite session, we focus mainly on listening and research skills. A wide range of electronic and paper-based resources enable students to work independently. You will have access to several learning resources centres. There is a refectory in the Hele Building and in other areas of the College.

There are some costs of materials and resources.