Spanish
“El idioma español añade un sabor diferente a los pensamientos, un ritmo que los hace más vibrantes.” – Juan Manuel Santos
Subject information
ENTRY DETAILS
Exam board: Pearson Edexcel A-Level
Specification: Pearson Edexcel A-Level in Spanish (XSP01)
HOW I WILL BE ASSESSED?
Examination: The course is examined in January and May of Y12 and January and May of Y13
COURSE DETAILS
Units 1 and 2:
- Youth matters (family relationships and friendships, pear pressure and role models, music and fashion, technology and communication)
- Lifestyle, health and fitness (food and diet, sports and exercise, health issues, urban and rural life)
- Environment and travel (tourism, travel and transport, natural disasters and weather, climate change and its impact, energy, pollution and recycling)
- Education and employment (education systems and types of schooling, pupil/student life, volunteering and internships, jobs and unemployment)
Unit 3 and 4 : Same topics as in units 1 and 2 and:
- Technology in the Spanish-speaking world (scientific advances, technological innovations, impact on life and environment)
- Society in the Spanish-speaking world (migration, equality, politics, customs)
- Ethics in the Spanish-speaking world (beliefs, law and order, moral issues)
- FILM : Ocho apellidos vascos, Emilio Martínez-Lázaro
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW, DURATION AND WEIGHTING
Paper 1: Spoken expression and response
Paper 2: Understanding and written response
Paper 3: Understanding and spoken response
Paper 4: Research, understanding and written response
| Exam Papers | % of IAL | Assessment overview |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (January Y12) (8-10 minutes and 15 minutes of preparation) | 30% of IAS or 15% of IAL 15% – 40 marks | SECTION A: Spoken response of one of the topics. SECTION B: Discussion on a different subtopic. |
| Paper 2 (May Y12) (2h and 30 mins) | 70% of IAS or 35% of IAL – 90 marks | SECTION A: Listening (20 marks). SECTION B: Reading and Grammar (30 marks). SECTION C: Writing an email or article of 240-280 words (40 marks). |
Paper 3 (January Y13) (11-13 mins; 5 mins preparation included) | 30% of IAS or 15% of IAL 15% – 40 marks | SECTION A: Presentation and debate . SECTION B: Discussion. |
| Paper 4 (May Y13 (2 hours and 40 minutes) | 70% of IAS or 35% of IAL – 90 marks | SECTION A: Listening (20 marks). SECTION B: Reading and Grammar (30 marks). SECTION C: Writing an essay of 300-400 words of a film. (40 marks). |
WIDER READING
- La Guerra Civil, Paul Preston,
- La muerte de Guernica, Paul Preston,
- Cien años de soledad, Gabriel García Márquez,
- Los surcos del azar, Paco Roxa
- Final de juego, Julio Cortázar,
- Lueciérnagas, Ana María Matute,
- Patria, Fernando Aramburu.
