Spanish

Course summary

The Spanish Department at New Hall offers a varied curriculum and activities and an increasing number of students choose to study this subject post-GCSE. There are two routes to take: A Level Spanish and the Spanish Diploma. The A Level Spanish course is designed for students who wish to develop their subject knowledge and gain a wider understanding of the cultures and countries in which Spanish is spoken. The topics covered are rooted in Spanish and Hispanic countries and help provide a wider perspective, as well as developing students’ knowledge and use of language. Students always enjoy the study of our chosen film “Pan’s Labyrinth” and novel “Como Agua Para Chocolate” – this may seem like a real challenge but students really find it rewarding and can see the clear development of their language as they learn to analyse and explore themes. The focus of the speaking examination is a discussion on a topic that the student can choose and research in advance, allowing them to take ownership of their subject knowledge. Topics that have been chosen by New Hall students previously are wide-ranging and include: Feminism in the work of Isabel Allende, the Impact of the Mexican Grand Prix, the Drug War in El Salvador, Yerma – is this work still relevant today?, the Catalan Independence Movement, and the Impact of Tourism in Barcelona. A-Level students also receive a 30-minute individual speaking session each week, which is tailored to each student and is invaluable in building confidence when speaking and as a way of reinforcing the language they learn in class.