Qualification
Pearson Edexcel A-level Spanish
Specification 9SP0, covering language, Spanish society, Hispanic culture, literature and independent research.
Pearson Edexcel A-level · Specification 9SP0
Online A-level Spanish Course
Develop confident Spanish speaking, listening, reading and writing skills while exploring modern Spanish society, Hispanic culture, immigration, the Franco dictatorship, literature and independent research. This structured home-study course prepares students for the Pearson Edexcel A-level Spanish examinations.
Immediate access to the online course
31 lessons across eight Spanish modules
Assignment marking and live speaking tutorials available separately
Start your Spanish course
£14.99 / month
Today’s payment:
£24.99
Includes:
- Course materials subscription
- Academic induction session and booking fee
Then
£14.99 per month
🔒 Minimum 6 months subscription applies.
Course overview
Develop advanced Spanish through language, culture and literature
A-level Spanish develops your ability to understand and communicate confidently in increasingly sophisticated spoken and written Spanish. You will extend your vocabulary, consolidate advanced grammar and learn to respond accurately across a wide range of social, cultural, historical and political topics.
The course explores changes in Spanish family life, employment, tourism, music, media, festivals, immigration, the Civil War, the Franco dictatorship and Spain’s transition to democracy. You will also study two literary works and carry out an independent research project for the speaking examination.
Listening, reading, translation, essay writing and spoken interaction are developed throughout the course. Regular speaking practice is particularly important because the speaking assessment contributes 30% of the final qualification.
Course structure
8 modules · 31 lessons
Study Spanish society, culture, immigration, history, literature, research and examination skills.
Recommended study time
Approximately 700 hours
Students should normally allow two years to develop the language skills and cultural knowledge required.
Enrolment
Start at any time
There are no fixed term dates, although your examination year and speaking-assessment window must be planned carefully.
Assignments
12 named tutor-marked assignments
Assignments develop listening, reading, translation, writing, literature and speaking skills, with additional practice papers.
Assessment
3 examination components
Listening, reading and translation; written responses to works; and a separate speaking assessment.
Literary works
2 Spanish texts
Study Federico García Lorca’s Bodas de sangre and Gabriel García Márquez’s Crónica de una muerte anunciada.
Coursework
No NEA or coursework
The independent research project is assessed within the speaking examination rather than submitted as coursework.
Speaking assignments require live tutorial time
Some Spanish assignments include both written and spoken components. Purchasing assignment marking alone does not cover the spoken assessment. To complete every component and access all the marks available, students must also book a live face-to-face online tutorial with their Spanish tutor.
Flexible home study
How the A-level Spanish course works
Work through the course in sequence, building on GCSE or equivalent Spanish. Each lesson combines topic knowledge with vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading, translation, written Spanish and opportunities to develop spoken fluency.
The online lessons are supported by audio recordings, self-assessment activities, suggested answers and references to the accompanying textbook and Boost resources. Regular independent listening and speaking practice should continue alongside the formal lessons.
Spanish is a progressive subject, so steady study is more effective than working through topics at random. Students should practise spoken Spanish throughout both years rather than leaving speaking preparation until shortly before the examination.
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Enrol and start online
Enrol at any time and receive immediate access to your online Spanish course. Your included academic induction session helps you understand the structure and plan your studies.
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Work through structured lessons
Follow 31 progressive lessons covering Spanish language, society, culture, history, literature, translation and independent research.
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Practise all four language skills
Use course activities, audio recordings and textbook resources to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing together.
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Prepare for all three papers
Later lessons and practice assessments prepare you for listening, reading, translation, literary essays, thematic discussion and the independent research presentation.
Flexible additional support
Combine marking with live speaking practice
Assignment marking, Email Tutor Support, one-to-one tutorials, mock-exam marking and printed materials can be purchased separately. Spanish students should budget for live tutorial time as well as assignment marking where an assignment includes a speaking component.
Marking alone does not assess spoken Spanish
Where an assignment contains spoken and written elements, both services are required: purchase the assignment marking for the submitted work and book a live face-to-face online tutorial for the speaking element. Without the tutorial, the tutor cannot assess the spoken component or award the marks attached to it.
Course content
What you’ll study
The A-level Spanish course contains 31 lessons across eight modules. The first year develops language through contemporary Spanish society, Hispanic culture and Lorca’s Bodas de sangre. The second year explores immigration, the Franco dictatorship, Spain’s transition to democracy, García Márquez’s Crónica de una muerte anunciada and independent research.
Module 1 La evolución de la sociedad española Explore family life, marriage, employment, opportunities for young people, gender equality and tourism. 7 lessons
- El cambio en la estructura familiar
- La evolución de las actitudes hacia el matrimonio, las relaciones y las familias
- La vida laboral en España
- Las oportunidades de trabajo para los jóvenes
- La igualdad de género
- El impacto económico y ambiental del turismo en España
- Las oportunidades que ofrece el turismo en España
Module 2 La cultura política y artística en el mundo de habla hispana Study music, television, online and written media, festivals, customs and cultural traditions. 5 lessons
- Cambios y tendencias musicales
- Impacto de la música contemporánea
- La televisión y las telenovelas
- Los medios de comunicación escritos y en Internet
- Los festivales, fiestas, costumbres y tradiciones
Module 3 Federico García Lorca: Bodas de sangre Study Lorca’s tragedy, its characters, themes, symbolism, structure and historical context. 2 lessons
- Bodas de sangre 1
- Bodas de sangre 2
Module 4 First-year language and examination skills Consolidate listening, reading, translation, written response and speaking skills. 3 lessons
- Listening, Reading and Translation
- Written Response to Works and Translation
- Speaking Skills
Module 5 La inmigración y la sociedad multicultural española Examine immigration’s contribution to Spain, challenges of integration and political and public responses. 3 lessons
- El impacto positivo de la inmigración en la economía y la cultura de España
- Los desafíos de la inmigración y la integración en España
- La reacción social y el enfoque político hacia la inmigración
Module 6 La dictadura franquista y la transición a la democracia Study the Spanish Civil War, Franco’s dictatorship and the restoration of democracy. 5 lessons
- La Guerra Civil y el ascenso de Franco
- Las consecuencias de la Guerra Civil
- La vida cotidiana durante la dictadura franquista
- La transición de la dictadura a la democracia
- El rey Juan Carlos, el Gobierno de Suárez y el golpe de Estado de 1981
Module 7 Independent research and Crónica de una muerte anunciada Plan the speaking research project and study García Márquez’s novella in preparation for Paper 2. 3 lessons
- Proyecto de Investigación
- Crónica de una muerte anunciada 1
- Crónica de una muerte anunciada 2
Module 8 A-level examination preparation Bring together listening, reading, translation, literary writing and speaking skills through final examination practice. 3 lessons
- Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation
- Paper 2: Written Response to Works and Translation
- Paper 3: Speaking Assessment
Practice Examination — Paper 1
Practice Examination — Paper 2
Practice Speaking Assessment — Paper 3
A progressive two-year language course
The modules are intended to be studied in order because vocabulary, grammar and examination skills build progressively. Speaking practice should begin early, while possible independent research topics should be considered from the beginning of the second year.
Exams and assessment
How the course is assessed
Pearson Edexcel A-level Spanish is assessed through two written examination papers and a separate speaking assessment. Together they assess listening, reading, translation, written Spanish, literary analysis, cultural knowledge, spoken interaction and independent research.
There is no coursework or non-exam assessment. The speaking examination normally takes place before the written papers, and all three components must be completed in the same examination series.
Listening, reading and translation
Paper 1 · 9SP0/01
2 hours
Exam duration
80 marks
Available marks
40%
Of the qualification
Assessing listening comprehension, reading comprehension and translation of an unseen passage from Spanish into English.
Written response to works and translation
Paper 2 · 9SP0/02
2 hours 40 minutes
Exam duration
120 marks
Available marks
30%
Of the qualification
Translate an unseen passage into Spanish and write analytical responses in Spanish on Bodas de sangre and Crónica de una muerte anunciada.
Speaking assessment
Paper 3 · 9SP0/03
21–23 minutes
Including preparation
72 marks
Available marks
30%
Of the qualification
Discuss a specification theme, present findings from an independent research project and take part in a wider discussion conducted in Spanish.
Coursework
No NEA component
The independent research project is assessed orally within Paper 3 and is not submitted as written coursework.
Literary route
Two Spanish texts
The course prepares students to answer on two literary works rather than combining one literary text with a film.
Dictionary use
No dictionaries permitted
Dictionaries and documentation relating to the literary works cannot be used during the written examinations.
Assessment pattern
Linear qualification
All assessment components must be completed in the same examination series.
Arranging your assessment
Make sure your centre can provide all three components
Home-educated students enter as private candidates at an approved examination centre. Before booking, confirm that the centre can arrange Papers 1 and 2 and the separate speaking assessment for specification 9SP0.
Course tutorials provide practice and allow spoken assignment work to be assessed, but they do not replace the official Pearson speaking examination.
Support & add-ons
Add extra Spanish support when you need it
Your course subscription provides the structured online materials, audio activities and suggested answers needed for independent study. Assignment marking, live speaking tutorials, examination support and printed materials can be purchased separately. Current linked add-on prices are shown below.
Written feedback
Assignment marking
Submit written, listening and translation work for feedback on accuracy, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and analytical writing.
Assignment marking bundle£80.92
Spoken Spanish
Face-to-face online tutorials
Book a live one-to-one session to complete spoken assignment components, develop fluency, improve pronunciation and practise responding naturally in Spanish.
Tutorial time Purchased separately
Exam preparation
Mock exam marking
Complete examination-style listening, reading, translation and written-response papers and receive feedback on accuracy, timing and examination technique.
Mock examination marking bundle£57.00
Ongoing guidance
Email Tutor Support
Ask questions by email when vocabulary, grammar, translation, cultural content or a literary topic needs further explanation.
Email Tutor Support£10.00 / month
Printed materials
Spanish course pack
Add a printed, spiral-bound copy of the course materials if you prefer to study, annotate and revise away from the screen.
Printed course materials£50.00
MFL assignment requirement
Use marking and tutorials together
For an assignment containing a speaking element, purchasing marking alone is not sufficient. A live tutorial must also be booked so that the tutor can assess the spoken component and award the marks attached to it.
Explore your options
See all available Spanish support
Prospective students can compare the different support services. Existing students can purchase Spanish marking, tutorials and other course-specific add-ons through their account.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the A-level Spanish course
Find answers about starting the course, previous Spanish study, speaking practice, assignments, literary works, examinations and additional tutor support.
Can I start the Spanish course at any time?
Yes. There are no fixed term dates, so you can enrol and begin studying when it suits you. You should plan around the speaking-assessment window and the May or June written examinations.
Do I need to have studied Spanish before?
Yes. The course builds on GCSE or equivalent Spanish. Students should already have a working knowledge of common vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, writing and spoken communication.
How long should I allow for the course?
We recommend allowing approximately 700 hours of study and normally completing the course over two years. Regular language practice is more effective than attempting to compress the course into a short period.
Which examination specification does the course cover?
The course prepares students for Pearson Edexcel A-level Spanish specification 9SP0.
Does A-level Spanish include coursework?
No. The qualification is assessed entirely by examination. The independent research project is presented and discussed during the speaking assessment rather than submitted as written coursework.
How is A-level Spanish assessed?
Paper 1 assesses listening, reading and translation and is worth 40%. Paper 2 assesses translation and written responses to literary works and is worth 30%. Paper 3 is the speaking assessment and is worth 30%.
Which literary works does the course study?
The course studies Federico García Lorca’s Bodas de sangre and Gabriel García Márquez’s Crónica de una muerte anunciada. Students must obtain their own Spanish-language copies of both works.
Does the course prepare me to answer on a film?
No. The course follows the two-literary-text route for Paper 2 and does not prepare students to replace one of those works with a film.
Is assignment marking included in the subscription?
No. The course contains activities and suggested answers for independent study, but personal tutor marking must be purchased separately for individual assignments or as a marking bundle.
Why do some assignments also require a tutorial?
Some assignments contain a spoken component that cannot be assessed from a written submission. To complete every component and access all the available marks, you must purchase the assignment marking and book a live face-to-face online tutorial for the tutor to assess your spoken Spanish.
Does a tutorial replace the official speaking examination?
No. Tutorials provide practice and allow spoken assignment work to be assessed. The official Paper 3 speaking examination must still be arranged through an appropriate examination centre or examiner.
What is the independent research project?
You independently research a question connected with the culture or society of a Spanish-speaking country or community. During Paper 3, you summarise at least two written sources, present your findings and discuss the topic with the examiner.
Can I use a dictionary in the examinations?
No. Dictionaries are not permitted in Papers 1 or 2, and students cannot take documentation about the prescribed literary works into Paper 2.
Should I study the modules in order?
Yes. The course is progressive, with later vocabulary, grammar and examination tasks building on skills developed in earlier lessons. Speaking and listening should nevertheless be practised continuously throughout both years.
Ready to begin?
Start your online A-level Spanish course
Enrol at any time and begin working towards the Pearson Edexcel A-level Spanish qualification through a structured, flexible home-study course.
- Start studying at any time
- Immediate access to the online course
- Develop listening, speaking, reading and writing progressively
Start your Spanish course
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