Cambridge AS & A Level Spanish (Language)

by Nandana Surendran

The Cambridge International AS Level Spanish syllabus enables learners to achieve greater fluency, accuracy and confidence in the language as it is spoken and written, and improve their communication skills.

They will learn how to improve their use of Spanish in a variety of situations, understanding how to read texts and other source materials, extract information, initiate conversations and respond to questions both orally and in writing.

Aims of the Syllabus

The aims of the syllabus are as follows-
• Develop the ability to understand a language from a variety of registers
• Enable students to communicate confidently and clearly in the target language
• Form a sound base of skills, language and attitudes required for further study, work and leisure
• Develop insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries where the language is spoken, including the study of literary texts where appropriate (this does not apply to AS Language qualifications)
• Encourage positive attitudes to language learning and a sympathetic approach to other cultures and civilisations
• Support intellectual and personal development by promoting learning and social skills.

Syllabus

Set texts for examination in 2020
Section 1

  1. Los pazos de Ulloa, Emilia Pardo Bazán
  2. El caballero de Olmedo, Lope de Vega
  3. Sab, Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (ed Hispanic Texts, MUP)
  4. El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Gabriel García Márquez
    Section 2
  5. Las ataduras, Carmen Martín Gaite (short story)
  6. Yerma, Federico García Lorca
    3 .Cuentos Escogidos, Horacio Quiroga (ed Jean Franco)
    (Nuestro primer cigarro / La insolación / El alambre de púa/Yaguaí / Anaconda / Los fabricantes de carbón / En la noche / Los pescadores de vigas / La voluntad / El simún / A la deriva /El hombre muerto / El yaciyateré / Tacuara –Mansión)
  7. Tala : Lagar, Gabriela Mistral (Cátedra, Letras Hispánicas)
    The following poems are to be studied-
  • Tala
    Muerte de mi madre: La fuga
    -Alucinación: Riqueza
    -Gestos: La copa / La medianoche / Dos ángeles / Paraíso / La gracia / La rosa
    -Historias de loca: I La muerte-niña / II La flor del aire / III La sombra / El fantasma
    -Materias: I Pan / II Sal / III Agua / V El Aire
    -América: Dos himnos - I Sol del Trópico / II Cordillera / El maíz
    -Saudade: País de la ausencia / La extranjera / Beber / Todos íbamos a ser reinas/ Cosas
    -La ola muerta: Muro / Viejo león
    -Criaturas: Canción de las muchachas muertas / Deshecha / Confesión / Vieja / Palomas Lagar
    -Locas mujeres: La otra / La abandonada / La ansiosa / La bailarina / La desasida / La desvelada / La dichosa / La ferverosa / La fugitiva / La granjera / La que camina / Una mujer / Una piadosa
    -Naturaleza: Amapola de California / Hallazgo del Palmar / La piedra de Parahibuna / Muerte del mar / Ocotillo / Palmas de Cuba
    -Desvarío: El reparto / Encargo a Blanca
    -Guerra: Caída de Europa / La huella
    -Jugarretas: Doña Venenos / Ocho perritos
    -Lutos: Aniversario / Luto / Una palabra
    -Nocturnos: Canto que amabas
    -Oficios: Herramientas
    -Religiosas: El regreso
    -Vagabundaje: Puertas /Emigrada judía
    -Tiempo: Amanecer / Mañana / Atardecer / Noche
    -Epílogo: Último árbol
    -Religiosas: El regreso
    -Vagabundaje: Puertas / Emigrada judía
    -Tiempo: Amanecer / Mañana / Atardecer / Noche
    -Epílogo: Último árbol

Set texts for examination in 2021
Section 1

  1. Los pazos de Ulloa, Emilia Pardo Bazán
  2. Sab, Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (ed Hispanic Texts, MUP)
  3. El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Gabriel García Márquez
  4. Lazarillo de Tormes, Anonymous (Cátedra, Letras Hispánicas)
    Section 2
  5. Las ataduras, Carmen Martín Gaite (short story)
  6. Yerma, Federico García Lorca
  7. Tala : Lagar, Gabriela Mistral (Cátedra, Letras Hispánicas)
  8. La casa de los espíritus, Isabel Allende

Set texts for examination in 2022
Section 1

  1. Sab, Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (ed Hispanic Texts, MUP)
  2. El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Gabriel García Márquez
  3. Lazarillo de Tormes, Anonymous (Cátedra, Letras Hispánicas)
  4. El alcalde de Zalamea, Calderón de la Barca
    Section 2
  5. Las ataduras, Carmen Martín Gaite (short story)
  6. Bodas de sangre, Federico García Lorca
  7. Tala : Lagar, Gabriela Mistral (Cátedra, Letras Hispánicas)
  8. La casa de los espíritus, Isabel Allende

Objectives of Assessment

The examinations are designed to assess candidates’ linguistic competence and their knowledge of contemporary society. In the exams, candidates will be expected to-
• Understand and respond to texts written in the target language, drawn from a variety of sources such as magazines, newspapers, reports, books and other forms of extended writing
• Manipulate the target language accurately in spoken and written forms, choosing appropriate examples of lexis and structures
• Select information and present it in the target language
• Organise arguments and ideas logically.

Assessment

Component 1: Speaking Test
Section 1: Presentation
• Content and Presentation – 10 marks
• Pronunciation and Intonation – 5 marks
• Language – 5 marks
Total- 20 marks
Candidates who make no specific reference to the contemporary society or cultural heritage of a country where the language is spoken will have their mark for Content and Presentation halved.

Section 2: Topic Conversation (40 marks) (and)
Section 3: General Conversation (40 marks)
• Comprehension and Responsiveness – 10 marks
• Accuracy – 10 marks
• Feel for the Language – 10 marks
Range of vocabulary and structures
• Providing Information and Opinions – 5 marks
• Seeking Information and Opinions – 5 marks

Component 2: Reading and Writing
Quality of Language and Accuracy

Component 3: Essay
Language- 24 marks
Content- 16 marks

Component 4: Texts
Candidates must write their answers in the target language. Examiners will look for a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively and will ignore linguistic errors which do not impede communication.

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