Subject Intent: Why Spanish?

The Spanish curriculum intends to deepen a curiosity and love of languages and other cultures, as well as develop an advanced understanding of how languages work. Through a focus on both culture and communication, we aim to foster a passion for exploring a foreign language and comparing it to our own. Language learning provides an insight into others’ countries and cultures and thus widens our intellectual horizons and promotes social mobility. We aim to broaden students’ knowledge and skills beyond the subject specification, exposing them to as much authentic material as possible. We aim to challenge our students to achieve a high level of communicative competence in the four equally important attainment targets of listening, speaking, reading and writing, thus not only developing literacy skills but also strengthening students’ resilience and problem-solving skills.

Through studying Spanish, students will see the benefits of travelling the world and will be offered the opportunity to visit and have first-hand experience of family life in Spain, therefore ensuring they have the skills to communicate and have meaningful and life-changing experience.

What will I study?

Students will study topics from a range of political, social and cultural themes all in relation to the Spanish-speaking world following the AQA A-Level course: 
  • Traditional and modern values
  • Cyberspace
  • Equality of the sexes
  • Influence of idols
  • Regional identity in Spain
  • Cultural heritage
  • Immigration
  • Racism
  • Coexistence
  • Young people today, citizens of tomorrow
  • Monarchies and dictatorships
  • Popular movements
In addition, students study a film and a book, and carry out an independent research project which forms a major part of their final A-Level oral exam. 

Spanish

Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.

What are lessons like in this subject?

Spanish is taught in a specialist language room meaning students have plenty of IT access to facilitate independently controlled listening practice (as in the A-level exam) and pair-work speaking practice. Lessons cover the four main language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing and are taught, as far as possible, in the target language. Grammar teaching is also integrated within the teaching of the A-level topics. In addition to the three lessons, students have a separate speaking session in a pair / individually to enhance fluency and confidence in this skill area. We offer students an opportunity to visit Spain during their course to further develop their cultural knowledge and linguistic competence. Students can participate in many Enrichment opportunities relating to cultural experience, languages in Higher Education and the world of work. Spanish A-level students can always expect lessons to be fun and relaxed yet challenging and supportive with a consistent focus on the teaching and learning needed in order to get students to where they need to be.

What our
students

say

Through studying A-level Spanish, your ability of the language massively improves, whether it be your speaking, listening, reading or writing skills. Additionally, it also gives you a cultural appreciation for the Spanish-speaking world. You delve into political and sociological issues, as well as the history of Spain and current real-world issues.

Jimmy Lavin, St. Wilfird’s Catholic High School

APPLY NOW to study in 2024

New Collaborative Learning Trust New College Pontefract Logo New College Doncaster Logo New College Bradford Logo Wingfield Academy Anston Greenlands Primary School Redscope Primary School Thorpe Hesley Primary School
New Collaborative Learning Trust
Ofsted Outstanding Provider Logo
Teaching School Hub Selby and Wakefield Logo
TES logo
Disability Confident Employer logo
Physical Eduation Quality Mark
TASS Dual Career Accredited
SCL Sports Leaders Logo
Investors in Diversity Logo
Proud to be Fredie, fairness in the workplace  Logo
Connected Campus Logo

Click here to login to

Cedar Logo