Spanish

Spanish is the second most spoken native language in the world with around 450 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 you will have access to the Q6 languages room to practise your skills. 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 has topics to interest everybody and the examination has three papers at the end of the course: paper 1 - listening, reading and translation (50%) based on authentic material on topics such as tourism, multiculturalism, festivals and the media. The writing paper (paper 2 – 20%) where you will write about literary texts and films and a speaking examination (paper 3 – 30%) 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, 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, strikes and demonstrations. You also study a book and a Spanish film across the two years.

You could study a Spanish or Latin American Studies degree at one of many UK universities and most degrees have 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.