Spanish

Course summary

Spanish is a first language in more than 20 countries, and there are over 450 million native speakers, making it the world’s second most spoken language, behind Chinese. Its importance for communication, business and travel means that it is now the world’s third most-studied foreign language and its popularity is growing year after year. Studying Spanish at A level will give you a rich insight into the language and culture, not just of Spain, but of Latin America. We will explore the mosaic of Roman, Arabic, Jewish and Celtic cultures that have contributed to the Spanish language, its literature, and its architecture. As well as polishing your Spanish language skills up to fluency, you will engage with the multicultural legacy of the Hispanic world, ranging from the Basque corner of northern Spain to the diverse regions of Latin America. You will be able to delve into the history of dictatorships and political movements ranging from the rule of Castro in Cuba to the Mexican Revolution and Peronism in Argentina. The Spanish Extension Programme will develop your linguistic and cultural skills even further. Through a series of interactive seminars, you will learn about the history and development of the Spanish language, and many of its most famous writers and cultural figures, such as Góngora and Quevedo in the Golden Age, and Magical Realism in the works of contemporary Latin American authors such as Garcia Márquez. You will learn to read and discuss some of the most famous works of Hispanic literature, as well as prepare to make a competitive application to a leading university.