Spanish at Dereham Sixth Form College

“After GCSE Spanish, I wanted something more challenging.”“Step by step, you always know you are making progress.”

A2 students commenting on their AS Spanish experience.

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

Spanishcourse details

The course leads to an AS and A2 with AQA.

We use the Oxford “Animo” coursebook written by Isabel Alonso, Isabel Isern and Vincent Everett (Head of Spanish at Dereham Sixth Form).

In Year 12, the topics are about Young Peoplein Spain: their life, their interests, their world: Music –styles, downloads, songs TV – Spanish programmes, online video Technology – can you live without it? Family – are Spanish families really still how we imagine? Sport and Lifestyle: Do Spanish kids eat sweets and watch TV? Fashion, Trends, Cinema, Health, Spanish adverts...

As well as the coursebook, we use video, songs, podcasts, online sites, grammar workbooks and authentic Spanish material. We work closely with the 6th Form library to make available Spanish magazines and DVDs. We encourage you to use these independently, but at the beginning of the course we will help you get started with recommendations and guidance.

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

Spanishresults at Dereham Sixth Form

In 2010, A2 results ranged from grade A to grade C.50% of the group scored higher grades than predicted. One candidate scored one grade lower than predicted.

At AS, grades ranged from A to C, with a high positive overall value-added compared to predicted grades.

university and jobsLaw, medicine and modern languages have the best employment rates of any university courses.

2009 Graduates still looking for employment in January 2010:Law 6.2% Modern Languages 8.3%Architecture 10.9%Economics 11.0% Accountancy 12.5%Electrical Engineering 13.3% Media Studies 14.6%ICT 16.3%

Higher Education Careers Unit report November 2010.

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

Spanishan example of a unit

We start with Family and Relationships, because it looks a bit like GCSE. Except it isn’t.

First we look at anecdotes ofhow some young people behave...and play “Would I lie to you”.

Then we look at the sort of thingsthat young people in Spain think ofas important.

But in Spain it’s not just aboutyoung people being young and parents being old... Society has changed completely. Differentgenerations have totally different values.

And step by step, you’ve written your first essay! (See the next page.)

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

Spanishstudents’ work after half a term:

An essay on the Family in Spain. (See previous page.)

Writing about all this newtechnology. Does anybodyreally need LED lightsimplanted under their skin?

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

Spanishthe exchange

The exchange with Zaragoza has been running for 15 years

In Year 12, the exchange reallybrings out your love of thecountry, the language and thepeople. And maybe even thefood. If not, please feed it toMr Everett.

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

SpanishA2

The A2 topics are even more interesting than the Year 12 ones. There is more of a Latin American focus, with topics including Wealth and Poverty, Immigration and Crime and Punishment.

We look at the reality of life through online material, films, songs, photographs and newspapers. The sort of things you can end up studying are: Latin American gangs like La Ñeta or los Latin Kings in Spain. Or why a country like Mexico has so many millionaires (like Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man).

There is a major cultural focus, where we look at the films of Pedro Almodóvar from Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios to Volver. We also look at the social and historical changes in Spain after the death of the dictator Franco, and the emergence of Spain as a monarchy and a democracy.

Northgate High School Neatherd High School

SpanishSuccess

At AS / A2, Spanish is often chosen by students who are looking for a real challenge compared to GCSE. They love the language and want to speak fluently. They love the culture, and want more intellectually stimulating content.

There is no magic wand to suddenly make you speak Spanish. But step by step, we can take you from GCSE to A Level standard, with commitment, hard work, and the enjoyment of working together.

Northgate High School Neatherd High School