Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT

This course is for students who want to continue studying Spanish after GCSE. It will suit you if you enjoy languages and want to develop your understanding of Hispanic culture and society. It takes time and dedication to become confident in a language so you'll need to be hard working and willing to persevere.

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You will build on the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking that you began at GCSE, growing your confidence in written and spoken Spanish. You'll develop more sophisticated knowledge of the grammatical system and structure of the language and increase your repertoire of vocabulary, phrases and expressions. You'll learn how Hispanic society has been shaped, socially and culturally through exploring topics such as the family, divorce, equal rights, multiculturalism and the influence of the Catholic Church. You'll examine Spanish identity within Spain and in the wider Spanish speaking world through its food, costumes and cultural heritage. You'll see how young people engage with politics and learn about Hispanic political history. You will have the opportunity to study a Spanish language book and film in depth. You will also analyse a subject or important question of interest to you that relates to a theme within the literary or film works studied.

Through discussions, listening and written exercises, one-to-one and small group support for oral work. Youll be expected to do some private study including vocabulary and grammar revision, reading and listening to Spanish and completing set homework tasks. Therell be careers vists and talks from professionals using language skills in the workplace and the opportunity to go on exchange and study visits to practice your language skills and experience Spanish culture.

There will be 3 exams at the end of the second year. Listening, reading and writing will be a written exam of 2 hours 30 minutes. Writing skills will be examined through a written exam of 2 hours duration and speaking skills through an oral exam lasting 23 minutes in which you will discuss a situation presented to you via a stimulus card and have the opportunity to present and discuss your research topic.

Studying Spanish opens up many career choices and gives you transferable skills including communication, critical thinking and cultural awareness. You could go on to a language degree, a degree combined with languages or continue your learning through short language courses outside of your main subject of study. There are jobs and apprenticeships across a range of industries requiring language skills such as in travel and tourism, international trade and logistics, legal and advice services.