Courses
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, for key stage 3 (Years 7-9), key stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) and key stage 5 (Years 12 and 13 - Sixth Form). Click the appropriate button below to find the details for each subject offered in each key stage.
Further details of our curriculum are available on the curriculum page.
Overview
Spanish
Introduction
We aim to develop skills, confidence and creativity in the four key areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Teachers are specialised, experienced and enthusiastic, using a wide range of activities and strategies to help students enjoy learning foreign languages while developing their linguistic ability. Authentic resources and the use of the foreign language in and outside the classroom are considered a vital part of languages teaching at Silverdale and the department offers a range of extracurricular activities and trips abroad in order to enhance the language learning experience at our school.
Qualification
A-level
Awarding body
AQA
Course leader
Mrs S Gilliland
Assessment
- Examination: 100%
- 50%: paper 1, listening, reading and writing, 2 hours 30 minutes.
- 20%: paper 2, writing, 2 hours.
- 30%: paper 3, speaking, oral exam, 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time).
- Non-examined assessment: 0%
Curriculum
Course content
Spanish covers a wide range of topics, e.g. social issues and trends, multiculturalism in Spanish-speaking society, political and artistic culture, as well as aspects of political life in the Spanish-speaking world.
In the first year of A-level students will study a film, and in the second year they will study a book.
Topics
- Year 12:
- Modern and traditional values (Los valores tradicionales y modernos).
- Cyberspace (El ciberespacio).
- Equal rights (La igualdad de los sexos).
- Modern day idols (La influencia de los ídolos).
- Spanish regional identity (La identidad regional en España).
- Cultural heritage (El patrimonio cultural).
- Year 13:
- Immigration (La inmigración).
- Racism (El racismo).
- Integration (La convivencia).
- Today's youth, tomorrow's citizens (Jóvenes de hoy, ciudadanos del mañana).
- Monarchies and dictatorships (Monarquías y dictaduras).
- Popular movements (Movimientos populares).
Skills and requirements
Entry requirements
- Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish.
Beyond the classroom
Past activities have included:
- Year 12 study visit to Madrid, Spain.
- Visits to local universities.
- Showroom cinema events.
Future pathways
Besides the traditional paths of interpreting, translating and teaching, students with language skills are in demand. These skills can be used in almost any career, particularly in businesses that trade internationally. There are also opportunities to work for the diplomatic service.
There are many degree courses in languages but you could also choose to combine Spanish with a new language or a subject from a different area such as politics, music, engineering or law.
