Description
Our A Level Spanish online course, based on the Cambridge International syllabus, serves as a gateway to linguistic mastery and a deeper understanding of the vibrant cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Universally accepted by both employers and universities as a reliable proof of linguistic proficiency, this online Spanish A Level course offers a plethora of life-enhancing skills and benefits:
- The ability to communicate confidently and articulately in Spanish.
- A thorough understanding of the nature, scope, and nuances of the language, equipping you for further academic pursuits, work, and leisure.
- Fascinating insights into the culture and contemporary society of Spanish-speaking countries.
- Skills that facilitate better community integration where Spanish is spoken.
- A positive outlook towards language learning and intercultural relations.
- Transferable cognitive skills, such as analytical thinking and enhanced memory.
Our A Level Spanish course online is structured to be comprehensive, fostering not just language proficiency but also intellectual and cultural enlightenment.
Homework, Assessment and Reporting
In this online Spanish A Level curriculum, students are expected to complete at least one piece of homework per subject each week. To bolster success, it is highly advised that notes are revised to consolidate learning post each lesson. Adhering to the principle that an hour of independent study should complement every hour of instruction, our A Level Spanish online course provides a well-rounded educational experience.
Structured assessments are conducted to gauge your academic growth: Level 5 internal assessments in June and Level 6 internal mock assessments in November and March. Comprehensive reports, which include grades for attainment and effort, are issued at the conclusion of the Autumn and Summer terms for Level 5, and following mock assessments in the Autumn and Spring terms for Level 6. These reports come complete with written insights from Success Coaches and the Head Teacher.
Parental Involvement
Parents are warmly invited to use their family Teams account to maintain an open dialogue with teachers about their child’s academic journey throughout the year. This unique approach ensures more meticulous and continual tracking than a conventional annual parent consultation evening can offer.
Our A Level Spanish online course aims not only to equip you with academic and linguistic skills but also to broaden your cultural horizons, enriching both your personal and professional life.
Click here to see this year’s Assessment and Reporting schedule
We will be following the Cambridge International A Level Spanish Language & Literature 9844 syllabus for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The aims are to:
- develop the language proficiency required to communicate effectively in Spanish at B2 and C1 (Independent/Proficient user) level
- explore, appreciate and engage with the culture, society and literature of countries and communities where Spanish is spoken
- provide enjoyment, intellectual stimulation and curiosity to learn more
- develop intercultural awareness, encouraging a positive, open and empathetic approach to other languages and cultures
- continue developing the skills, language and attitudes required for higher education, work and leisure
- develop an awareness of the student’s own personal learning style and the opportunities for learning independently
- further develop transferrable skills (e.g. communication and organisational skills, autonomy, resourcefulness, cognitive and cultural flexibility) to complement other areas of the curriculum
- prepare for higher level studies and gain valuable life skills.
The subject content is organised into six topic areas at A Level.
- Culture
- Health and well-being
- Education and future plans
- Community and society
- Our responsibility for the planet
- Science and technology
In the Cambridge International A Level Spanish Language & Literature 9844 syllabus for 2024, 2025 and 2026, candidates take all components in the single exam series.
Candidates will be eligible for grades A*-E.
All A Level candidates take:
Paper 1
- Reading – 40 marks – 1 hour and 30 minutes (c.33% of total grade)
- Candidates read a number of texts and answer multiple-choice and matching questions.
- Externally assessed
Paper 2
- Writing – 40 marks – 2 hours (c.33% of total grade)
- Candidates complete two writing tasks: one argumentative/discursive task and one narrative or descriptive writing task.
- Externally assessed
Paper 3
- Literature – 40 marks – 2 hours (c.33% of total grade)
- Candidates answer two questions, one question from each section
- Section A – passage-based questions
- Section B – essay questions
- Externally assessed
Set texts for examination in 2024:
Section A
Federico García Lorca – La casa de Bernarda Alba
Eds. Patricia García, Teresa López-Pellisa – Fantastic short stories by women authors from Spain and Latin America
Carmen Laforet – Nada
Section B
Gabriel García Márquez – El coronel no tiene quien le escriba
Carmen Conde – Mientras los hombres mueren
Isabel Allende – La casa de los espíritus
Set texts for examination in 2025:
Section A
Federico García Lorca – La casa de Bernarda Alba
Eds. Patricia García, Teresa López-Pellisa – Fantastic short stories by women authors from Spain and Latin America
Carmen Laforet – Nada
Section B
Gabriel García Márquez – El coronel no tiene quien le escriba
Carmen Conde – Mientras los hombres mueren
Laura Esquivel – Como agua para chocolate
Set texts for examination in 2026:
Section A
Federico García Lorca – La casa de Bernarda Alba
Eds. Patricia García, Teresa López-Pellisa – Fantastic short stories by women authors from Spain and Latin America
Carlos Ruiz Zafón – La sombra del viento
Section B
Gabriel García Márquez – El coronel no tiene quien le escriba
Fernando Fernán Gómez – Las bicicletas son para el verano
Laura Esquivel – Como agua para chocolate
Over the summer, you might like to practise your Spanish to prepare for A Level. Apps like Duolingo, Memrise, Busuu, Babbel and Rosetta Stone can be enjoyable and effective for students who are learning Spanish. Netflix can also be an excellent resource for students looking to improve their language learning, for example by:
- Watching shows or movies with subtitles. Start with subtitles in your native language and gradually switch to subtitles in Spanish as you progress.
- Watching shows or movies in your target language: If you are confident enough, try watching shows or movies in Spanish without subtitles. This will help you develop your listening skills and get used to the pace and intonation of the language. Start with simpler shows or movies and gradually move on to more complex ones.
- Using the language learning features: Netflix offers various language learning features, such as the ability to slow down or speed up the playback, which can be helpful for language learners. You can also use the “audio description” feature, which provides a detailed description of the action on screen, including facial expressions and body language.
- Using language learning extensions: There are several browser extensions that can enhance your language learning experience on Netflix. For example, Language Learning with Netflix allows you to watch shows with bilingual subtitles, which can be a great way to learn new words and phrases in context.
Websites like Spaleon, Profe de Ele and Snappy Spanish provide opportunities respectively to enhance tense drilling, grammar and vocabulary practice and bilingual short stories in Spanish.
What are the key benefits of taking the A Level Spanish online course?
The online Spanish A Level course not only certifies linguistic skills but also offers profound insights into the culture and contemporary society of Spanish-speaking nations. Additionally, it helps to develop useful life skills such as effective communication, analysis, and memory retention.
What kind of homework and independent study is required for the Spanish A Level online course?
Students in the sixth form are usually tasked with completing at least one homework assignment for each subject weekly. For successful completion of the course, they should also spend an equivalent amount of time on independent study as they do in taught sessions.
How are students assessed in the online Spanish A Level course?
Assessments for the Spanish A Level take place internally at two different levels. Level 5 assessments are in June, while Level 6 mock assessments are conducted in November and March. Students then receive reports that include grades for effort and attainment, as well as written feedback from Success Coaches and the Head Teacher.
How can parents stay informed about their child’s progress in the Spanish A Level online course?
Parents can utilise a family Teams account to maintain an ongoing dialogue with teachers. This method offers the advantage of more precise and regular tracking of student progress compared to a yearly parent consultation evening.
What is the syllabus content for the Spanish A Level online course?
The syllabus for the Spanish A Level online course includes six key topic areas: Culture, Health and Well-being, Education and Future Plans, Community and Society, Our Responsibility for the Planet, and Science and Technology.
The Teachers
Spanish at Cambridge Home School Online is taught by Mr Morgan, Ms Dove and Mrs Gimeno. Click on the names below to find out more about our Spanish teachers.