What is Spanish?
Studying Spanish involves learning how to read, write, listen to and speak the Spanish language. It also involves studying the culture of Spanish-speaking countries, both Spain and in Latin America. Through studying the different cultural practices in the Spanish-speaking world you will learn how to communicate effectively in Spanish.
Why study Spanish?
Being able to communicate in another language is a skill that will be useful, wherever you go after you complete your A-levels. You will also develop skills in critical thinking, analysing texts, and in research.
During the course at Chapeltown, we study the works of Lorca and Garcia Márquez and the films of Diego Luna and Perdo Almodóvar. Additionally the A Level course gives wonderful and exciting scope to explore aspects of Hispanic society and make comparisons with British society in relation to issues of equality (la igualdad), values (los valores) and new technologies (el ciberespacio). Additionally, the course explores issues of immigration (la inmigración), integration (la integración) and racism (el racismo) in the context of multiculturalism in Hispanic society. The final “content” element is artistic culture and political life in the Hispanic world and this section encourages study of a huge variety of features, including aspects of Spanish regional identity (La identidad regional en España), popular movements (movimientos populares) modern day idols (la influencia de los ídolos) as well as historical dictatorships across the Spanish -peaking world.
Previously we have visited Cataluña, where we were based in Barcelona, and any students wanting to study Spanish are strongly recommend to come on one of our planned visits to Spain. We have trips to Valencia and Madrid in the pipeline. Should there be enough interest we will also look to organising a trip to South America.
The course is founded upon a comprehensive grammatical understanding of the language – essential for success in every aspect of its usage. We look at this early in the first year to ensure students can really make the most of everything the course has to offer.
Your next steps...
Universities and colleges in the UK are offering courses in the following subject areas:
Linguistics
Comparative literary studies
English studies
Ancient language studies
Celtic studies
Latin studies
Classical Greek studies
Classical studies
French studies
German studies
Italian studies
Spanish studies
Portuguese studies
Scandinavian studies
Russian and East European studies
European studies
Chinese studies
Japanese studies
South Asian studies
Asian studies
African studies
Modern Middle Eastern studies
American studies
Subject combinations and available course options include:
single, joint, and multiple subject combinations
full-time, part-time, and flexible study options as well as courses with a placement (sandwich courses)
mainly BA (Hons) qualifications, with a few BSc (Hons) degrees
Many universities offer four year programmes and the opportunity to study abroad for a year as part of the degree.
If applying for a modern foreign language, you may be asked to demonstrate your fluency by completing a written test in the target language.
Universities are looking for:
evidence that you are well informed about the language/culture and have strong interest/motivation, which could be demonstrated by:
relevant work experience and or travel in countries where your target language is spoken e.g. participation in an exchange program
additional reading and research i.e. looking at newspapers/ books, listening to the radio, watching films from different countries
membership of language societies/clubs
a range of interests outside of academic study
a well written statement that demonstrates your ability to write persuasive statements
the ability to work individually and in teams
the personal qualities required for successful study
