Who should take Spanish A or AS Level?

Do you think of yourself as a person who enjoys expressing yourself in different ways, as well as being one who feels able to offer a very valuable skill to the workplace? Are you interested in learning about the society and culture of Spanish-speaking countries? If so far you have enjoyed the study of Spanish, then an A-Level could well be for you. You will need to have understood the importance of using grammar and different tenses (for example past, present and future) and expressing opinions. You will also have gained something of the "feel" of the country whose language you studied. If you have enjoyed visiting Spain and/or America/South America, with family and/or school, and felt pleased when you managed to communicate some of your thoughts in the foreign language, you could well be a student who will benefit from further study.

What does the subject involve?

The course will have an emphasis on Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, and will cover all four skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing.

AS:

• e) Leisure and Lifestyles, including travel and tourism, sport, hobbies, entertainment, customs, traditions, healthy living – health and nutrition, diet and exercise; unhealthy living – drugs, AIDS, smoking, alcohol.
• f) The Individual and Society, including relationships and responsibilities, gender issues, youth culture (values, peer groups, fashions and trends), education, vocational training and future careers.

Advanced:

• g) Environmental Issues, including technology, pollution, global warming, transport, energy, nuclear energy, renewable energies, conservation, recycling, sustainability.
• h) Social and Political Issues, including the role of the media, racism, immigration, social exclusion and integration, terrorism, world of work (employment, commerce, globalization).

What are the requirements?

As a foundation for your AS Level, you will need to have achieved at least a Grade C at GCSE, or have spent a considerable amount of time in Spain and/or South America.

What might A-Level in Languages lead to?

Where do you want to go? A Modern Language is a useful qualification in many areas of employment. You can combine a language with a study of virtually anything at University. You could look at the fields of cuisine, travel and tourism, transport, technology, geography, teaching, and indeed any field you wanted to pursue.

You could continue with languages into University. Graduates in Modern Languages are consistently the most sought after, enjoy one of the highest rates of employment amongst graduates, and so you are certain to find doors opening to a host of jobs. The skills you demonstrate with a degree in languages will mark you out as creative and adaptable, and these qualities are also very important in the workplace of the 21st century. Far from restricting you, it opens up your world. Come and ask us now!