Spanish AS/A2 Level

Why Spanish?

• It’s practical and relevant to real life situations
• There’s a shortage of linguists so you’ll be more employable
• With a language, you can play your part in the European Union
• It’s really challenging, rewarding and enjoyable

What will I study?

• You will study a wide range of topical subjects relevant to Spanish
• You will learn to express your ideas and opinions both orally and in writing although the main emphasis is on oral fluency
• You will be encouraged to make extensive use of the language centre to support your learning

Examples of the topics covered at each level are:

AS Year

• Media (Television, Advertising, Communication technology)
• Popular Culture (Cinema, Music, Fashion trends)
• Healthy Living/Lifestyle (Sport/exercise, Health and well-being, Holidays)
• Family/relationships (Relationships within the family, Friendships, Marriage/partnerships)

A2 Year

• Environment (Pollution, Energy, Protecting the planet)
• The Multicultural Society (Immigration, Integration, Racism)
• Contemporary Social Issues (Wealth and Poverty, Law & order, Impact of scientific and technological progress)
• Cultural Topics (A region, A period of 20th Century History, The work of an author, dramatist, poet, director, architect, musician or painter)

Assessment

External assessment takes place in June of each year and comprises 2 assessment units.

AS Year

Unit 1: Listening, Reading and Writing, 2 hrs 70% of AS, 35% of total A level marks.

Candidates will answer a range of questions based on approximately 5 minutes of heard material and on a selection of written stimulus texts. They will also respond in writing to a question based on one of the AS topics.

Unit 2: Speaking, 35 mins including 20 mins preparation time 30% of total AS / 15% of total A Level marks Candidates will discuss a target-language stimulus card based on one of the AS topics and take part in a conversation covering three further AS topics.

A2 Year

Unit 3: Listening, Reading and Writing, 2 hrs 30 mins 35% of total A level marks. Candidates will answer a range of questions based on approximately 6 minutes of heard material and on a selection of written texts. They will also respond in writing to a question based on one of the four A2 cultural topic areas.

Unit 4: Speaking, 35 mins including 20 mins preparation time 15% of total A Level marks

Candidates will present a point of view based on a target-language stimulus card from one of the A2 topic areas and take part in a conversation covering two cultural topics.

Entry Requirements

GCSE grade B in Spanish

Duration

1 year at AS and 1 year at A2

Qualification Achieved

A level Spanish

Where Next?

Further study at University, where an A level in Spanish could help you to get a place on a variety of degree courses such as Linguistics, teaching, interpretation (translation) or Joint-Honour degrees which combine Spanish with Law, Economics, Engineering, Tourism and many more subjects.

Work prospects include: Interpreter for The United Nations with a salary of £90,983, banking trader with a salary of £30,000+, DVD subtitler with a starting salary of £23, 000 and jobs in the Tourism industry, Public Relations, and many more related areas.

Find out more…

Contact The Hub on 01254 292929 or email languages@blackburn.ac.uk