Naturally, being able to speak a second language is a key skill. But did you know that it can also develop a vast range of valuable skills ranging from becoming more analytical, to being able to communicate more effectively in your own first language?
Studying A Level Spanish will help you stand out from the crowd, and see you gaining a life skill that could actually improve your employability and increase your salary!
You'll need to meet the entry criteria for your chosen pathway and a grade 6 in GCSE Spanish.
For further information on the pathways, please click here.
The topics you study will build on your GCSE studies and ensure you move towards speaking Spanish fluently. Topics you will study include:
- Education and employment in Spain or the Spanish speaking world
- Family life in Spanish culture
- Literature and films of Spain
- Media
- Equality and diversity in the Spanish speaking world
- Immigration of Spain
- Spanish history
- Young people and technology in Spain
- The media and their influence in Spain
Educate, Enrich, Enlighten
Our teachers are passionate about helping you to become fluent and confident in your choice of language. In addition to an outstanding experience in the classroom, you can expect a range of hands on support, including the opportunity to converse with a native speaker.
We have excellent links with schools across the continent and participate in an international exchange programme. This gives our students an excellent opportunity to not only put their language skills to the test, but also soak up the culture and gain a flavour of what working and living abroad could be like.
You’ll gain valuable knowledge and skills throughout your time on the course through a wide range of enrichment opportunities, combining your classroom learning with high quality industry trips and visits. Our students have benefitted from:
- Residential visits to Spain to soak up the culture and practise the language
- Taking part in debates in Spanish
- Attending the HNC Book Club
- Taking part in the national Poetry by Heart competition
Assessment is 100% examination. You will be tested through an oral assessment (30%), listening, reading and translation (50%) and writing (20%).
Speaking a second language can open up a huge range of doors; indeed studies show that candidates who speak a second language can earn up to 20% more than their peers. Naturally, some students do choose A Level Spanish with the intention of progressing to a Modern Foreign Languages degree. However, progression pathways can be as diverse as Travel and Tourism, Translation, Business or Communications – there are few pathways in life where the skills and knowledge gained are not an asset!
What does this course go well with or what may you like?
Good to Know
Learning a language gains far more than the ability to converse with others in your chosen language. Studies show that studying a language develops a huge and varied range of additional skills – for example, those who speak a language are often more creative. This is because learning a language means you need to find alternative methods to saying something if you don’t know the phrase! Spanish is also the second most spoken language in the world – meaning that demand for individuals who can communicate is high across a range of organisations, businesses and sectors!
Where Are They Now?
Gracie Mynott
Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at the University of Leeds
