Spanish (H2)

This course aims to develop a high level of proficiency in Spanish, encompassing comprehension, communication, and cultural understanding. It prepares students for further studies, work, and leisure pursuits involving the language.

Aims

• Develop advanced comprehension skills across various registers of Spanish.
• Enable confident and clear communication in Spanish.
• Equip students with the necessary skills, language proficiency, and positive attitudes for future endeavors.
• Cultivate insights into the cultures and civilizations of Spanish-speaking countries, including literary studies.
• Foster appreciation for language learning and cross-cultural understanding.
• Enhance intellectual and personal growth by promoting learning and social skills.

Assessment Objectives

The H2 Spanish examination assesses linguistic competence and knowledge of contemporary society through the following objectives:

• AO1: Understand and respond to written Spanish texts from diverse sources like magazines, newspapers, reports, books, and other extended writing.
• AO2: Demonstrate accurate and appropriate use of Spanish lexis and structures.
• AO3: Select, present, and organize information, arguments, and ideas logically in Spanish.
• AO4: Understand and respond to authentic contemporary spoken Spanish from various sources like news items, messages, announcements, talks, and discussions.

Syllabus

The syllabus covers a wide range of topics related to the contemporary society and cultural heritage of Spanish-speaking countries. These include:

• Human relationships, family, generation gap, young people
• Patterns of daily life, urban and rural life
• The media, food and drink, law and order
• Religion and belief, health and fitness
• Work and leisure, equality of opportunity, employment and unemployment
• Sport, free time activities, travel and tourism
• Education, cultural life/heritage
• War and peace, the developing world
• Scientific and medical advances, technological innovation
• Environment, conservation, pollution

The specific essay topics for the 2025 examination are:

1. Human relationships 2. Religion and belief 3. Work and leisure 4. Education 5. Conservation

Assessment Components

Candidates are assessed through five components:

• Component 1: Speaking: A presentation on a chosen topic followed by a topic conversation and a general conversation.
• Component 2: Reading and Writing: Comprehension and response to two related passages in Spanish.
• Component 3: Essay: Writing an essay in Spanish on one of the five prescribed topics.
• Component 5: Listening: Comprehension of short factual items and extended spoken pieces.
• Component 7: Coursework: Submission of approximately 2000 words of written work in Spanish, based on research and personal interests within the topic areas.