Spanish

Assessment

The new linear A Level course in Spanish (Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Spanish) consists of two externally-examined papers assessing listening, reading and writing and a non-examined speaking assessment. Students complete their speaking assessment in April/May and all other assessments in May/June in any single year. The course is structured around four engaging Themes La evolution de la sociedad española; La cultura política y artística en el mundo hispanohablante; La inmigración y la sociedad multicultural española and La dictadura franquista y la transición a la democracia. These four Themes are studied alongside two works chosen from a prescribed list (either two literary texts or one literary text and one film) assessed through two externally-examined papers and one non-exam assessment (speaking). The course will enable the students to develop an advanced level knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language, the culture of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, as well as practical and valuable language and transferable study skills. Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation Written examination: 2 hours 40% of the qualification (80 marks) The examination is made up of: • Section A: Listening (30 marks) • Section B: Reading (30 marks) • Section C: Translation into English (20 marks) Paper 2: Written response to works and translation Written examination: 2 hours and 40 minutes 30% of the qualification (120 marks) • Section A: Translation (20 marks) • Section B: Written response to works (literary texts) (50 marks) Students must write an extended response on either one or two of the literary texts • Section C: Written response to works (films) (50 marks) Students who answer only one question from a literary text in Section B must write an extended response on one of the films listed. Paper 3: Speaking Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes (including 5 min preparation time) 30% of the qualification (72 marks) Students need to complete two tasks: • Task 1 (30 marks): discussion on a Theme from the specification based on a stimulus containing two different statements. • Task 2 (42 marks). Task 2, Part 1: is an independent research presentation. Students present a summary of at least two of the written sources they have used for their research and give a personal response to what they have read • Task 2, Part 2: is a discussion on independent research. Students answer questions on their presentation and then have a wider discussion on their research.