Ashbourne offers small groups, an intimate atmosphere and a communicative approach to language learning. This means that students have plenty of opportunity to practise their language skills and improve their accuracy and fluency and, in fact, they are compelled to do so as nobody can hide in a small class. Alberto, who heads the Spanish department uses a variety of exciting authentic materials to stimulate language learning and his experience as an examiner for Edexcel means that he is able to prepare students for what they will face in the examination.
Why study Spanish?
Fluency in Spanish opens up educational, employment and travel opportunities, especially in Europe, Latin America and the US, where Spanish is the most widely spoken language after English. Students find it an accessible and attractive language to learn. The study of a foreign language encourages students to use a different part of their brain, develop confidence and learn to appreciate a culture other than their own. The study of grammar often improves their competence in English.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow Edexcel specification for Spanish
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called 'Spoken Expression and Response in Spanish'. Students are required to show their ability to converse on a topic that they have chosen from one of four general topic areas, each of which includes subtopics. They are:?
Education and employment (education policy & student issues/higher education/ world of work)
Lifestyle, health and fitness (sport & exercise/food & diet/ health issues)
The world around us (tourism &travel/transport/weather/pollution/recycling)
Youth culture and concerns (music & fashion/ technology /relationships / drink / drugs/ sex).
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called Understanding and Written Response in Spanish'.?This unit requires students to understand Spanish and convey their understanding of it. In addition, they have to produce an essay to demonstrate an ability to manipulate Spanish in continuous writing.?The unit draws upon the four general topic areas aforementioned.
Unit 3
A2 unit 3 is called 'Understanding and Spoken Response in Spanish'. Students should undertake research into a completely free choice of issue, which does not need to relate to Spanish culture, society or general topic areas. They will develop language skills that enable them to communicate effectively, accurately and confidently in spoken Spanish.
Unit 4
A2 unit 4 is called 'Research, Understanding and Written Response in Spanish'.?This unit requires students to demonstrate advanced skills Spanish. It includes writing, translation from English into Spanish and knowledge of a topic area that links to the culture and society of a Spanish-speaking country. The topic areas are the same as in AS plus three more which?are:?
Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions.?
National and international events - past, present and future.?
Literature and the arts.
How is each unit examined
Unit 1
Section A: At the exam, students will be given a stimulus connected with their chosen topic area. They will study it for 15 minutes and then, will be asked four Edexcel-set questions on that stimulus, expressing an opinion or a reaction to it.
Section B: The teacher then engages the student in a discussion that, though still relating to the same general topic area and its linked subtopics, moves away from the main focus of the stimulus.
Unit 2
Students sit a two hour 30 minute examination. Section A is a Listening comprehension?Students will have individual control of a recording of extracts in Spanish and will answer questions, some Spanish, some in English. Section B is reading?comprehension. The questions are linked to a range of exercises including some that require responses in Spanish and some in English. Section C is an essay.
Unit 3
Unit 3 is an oral examination, which takes place with the teacher. It is based on the research work students have done for unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 4 is a 2 hour 30 minute examination.
How is the course structured?
Students study for AS during the first year and for A2 during the second year of A level. There is no subdivision in either course into sections or parts of the exam as the whole of each course aims at the same objective which is to express oneself in the foreign language in writing and orally and understand it in writing and orally - via texts, newspapers, recordings and films, connected with the set topic areas.
When do I sit my exams?
AS and A2 orals are sat in early May. The written papers will be sat in the May/June examination period. There may be opportunities to resit written papers in January.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Alberto Lado Rey
(MA (Westminster), Licentiado (Spain) Teachers' Training Certificate (Spain) Spanish)
Alberto has a degree in English from the University of Santiago de Compestela, in his native Spain. After completing his teacher training, Alberto came to London where he started teaching at Ashbourne and other independent schools. He is an examiner for Edexcel. In addition, Alberto has recently completed an MA in Hispanic Studies at UCL. This has allowed him to pursue his interest in Spanish and Latino American culture, in particular Latin American documentary and Spanish cinema after Franco.
Beyond A Level for Spanish Students
Spanish A Level is suitable if not essential for those going on to study Modern Languages or Latin American Studies. It could lead to a combined degree alongside, for example, Business, Management, Law or Linguistics. Languages are important in many careers and walks of life.
Textbooks
AS
Title - Edexcel Spanish for A Level
Author - Mike Thacker and Monika Morcillo
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-Spanish-Level-Students-Learning/dp/0340968869/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276262953&sr=8-1
A2
Title - Edexcel Spanish for A Level
Author - Mike Thacker and Monika Morcillo
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-Spanish-Level-Students-Learning/dp/0340968869/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276262953&sr=8-1 |
