Spanish

Spanish is the second most spoken native language in the world, with around 486 million speakers spread over four continents and 21 countries, so you will have plenty of opportunity to use the language if you choose this option at A-level.

Learning Spanish can increase your job prospects, as it is the second most used language in international communication and it is also the key to the travel and tourism industry. If you take the A-level, your knowledge of the language will swiftly develop, and you will be able to communicate confidently across a wide range of topics.

You will also get first-hand knowledge and experience of Spanish and Latin American cultures as part of the course. Lessons are mostly conducted in Spanish by native Spanish teachers, and we also have a native speaker who holds one-to-one conversation classes.

The course has accompanying online activities and, when available, we take part in enriching activities such as theatre trips or Spanish study days at the University of Manchester. Over the two-year course, there will be an opportunity to experience the language and culture first-hand by taking part in a language and culture immersion trip to Salamanca.

The AQA A-level Spanish course covers topics to interest everyone, and the examination consists of three papers taken at the end of the course: Paper 1 – listening, reading, and translation (50%), based on authentic material on topics such as the cultural heritage of the Hispanic world, multiculturalism, politics, and regional identity; Paper 2 – writing (20%), in which you will write about literary texts and films; and Paper 3 – speaking (30%), which focuses on an area of individual interest and the topic areas.

We start in Year 12 with Unit 1.1, which covers current trends in modern and traditional Hispanic society, including the influence of the Catholic Church, changes in family, cyber society, and equal rights. Unit 2.1 concentrates on modern day TV and cinema idols, gastronomy and heritage, and traditions and customs. Year 13 focuses in Unit 1.2 on immigration, racism and integration, and in Unit 2.2 on the attitudes to politics, monarchies and dictatorships, and strikes and demonstrations.

You will also study a book and a Spanish film across the two years. For our book, we study the play La Casa de Bernarda Alba by renowned Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, which examines the repression and strict social conventions that ruled women during 1930’s Spain. Our chosen film is El Laberinto del Fauno by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro –  a fascinating story where a young girl’s fantasy world clashes with the brutal reality of the Franco fascist regime.

You could study a Spanish or Latin American Studies degree at one of many UK universities, with most degrees having a year abroad as an integral part of the course. There are many other courses available combined with Spanish, such as Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Politics or European Studies.