Studying a language at A Level is challenging yet very exciting.  The level of language that students develop in the Sixth Form is very high.  

A-level Spanish helps students develop confident, effective communication skills in Spanish and a thorough understanding of the culture of countries and communities where Spanish is spoken.

AQA AS Spanish (new specification)

Students will develop their understanding of themes relating to the society and culture of the countries where French is spoken, and their language skills; they will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in Spanish.

The AQA AS Spanish specification is divided into two main subject areas, called themes. Each theme is divided into three sub-themes, making a total of six sub-themes to study during the course. The themes and sub-themes are as follows:

Theme 1: Aspects of Hispanic society: current trends

Modern and traditional values (Los valores tradicionales y modernos)

• Los cambios en la familia
• Actitudes hacia el matrimonio/el divorcio
• La influencia de la Iglesia Católica

Cyberspace (El ciberespacio)

• La influencia de internet
• Las redes sociales: beneficios y peligros
• Los móviles inteligentes en nuestra sociedad

Equal rights (La igualdad de los sexos)

• La mujer en el mercado laboral
• El machismo y el feminismo
• Los derechos de los gays y las personas transgénero

Theme 2:  Artistic culture in the Hispanic world

Modern day idols (La influencia de los ídolos)

• Cantantes y músicos
• Estrellas de televisión y cine
• Modelos

Spanish regional identity (La identidad regional en España)

• Tradiciones y costumbres
• La gastronomía
• Las lenguas

Cultural heritage (El patrimonio cultural)

• Sitios turísticos y civilizaciones prehispánicas: Machu Picchu, la Alhambra, etc
• Arte y arquitectura
• El patrimonio musical y su diversidad

You will also be required to study a film or literary text at AS from a prescribed list.

Assessment

The exam is divided into three papers.

Assessment

The exam is divided into three papers.

Paper	What's assessed	Length of Exam	Marks / % of AS
1: Listening, reading and writing	Aspects of Hispanic society: current trends Artistic culture in the Hispanic world Grammar	1 hour 45 minutes	90 marks / 45%
2: Writing	One text or one film from the list in the spcification Grammar	1 hour 30 minutes	50 marks / 25%
3: Speaking	One sub-theme from Aspects of Hispanic society: current trends One sub-theme from Artistic culture in the Hispanic world	12 - 14 minutes plus 15 minutes preparation time	60 marks / 30%