Spanish

What is the subject about? 

Spanish as a Leaving Certificate subject aims to bring students closer to fluency in the Spanish language, as well as developing a good knowledge of literature, culture, geography, and national history to provide a context for communication. Spanish, as a language is becoming ever more important in the lives of young Europeans in offering career opportunities that will be available in the years ahead. Modern languages require students to be proficient in the following skills: 

– Oral/speaking 

– Written 

– Aural/listening 

– Reading 

How is the subject assessed? 

Assessment is by means of a written examination, an aural and oral examination at two levels, Ordinary Level and Higher Level. Course Content for Higher and Ordinary Levels is similar. However, oral and written skills are particularly important at Higher Level. 

Higher Level: 

  1. I. Oral Examination (25%) 
  2. II. Aural Examination (20%) 
  3. III. Written Examination (55%) 

Ordinary Level: 

  1. I. Oral Examination (20%) 
  2. II. Aural Examination (25%) 
  3. III. Written Examination (55%) 

The Spanish oral examination consists of a fifteen minute interview where students are under the following criteria: 

– General Discussion 

– A role play 

The aural examination is 40 minutes in duration and takes place after the written examination in June. It involves listening to a variety of dialogues and news items in the target language. 

In the written examination at Higher Level there is a great emphasis on reading comprehension, both literary and journalistic style. Questions are asked in both English and Spanish. There is a question relating to grammar within the comprehension passage. Another question requires the student to write 100 words on an abstract topic to the comprehension theme. There is also a letter or other witten passage. 

At Ordinary Level there are three reading comprehension passages, again of literary and journalistic style, similar to those at Higher Level. There are fewer marks assigned to written Spanish at this level. 

Career Opportunities 

– Tourism 

– Hospitality 

– Food and Wine 

– Sales and Marketing 

– Teaching 

– Careers in the European Union 

– Translator 

– Interpreter 

– Journalist 

– Broadcaster 

– Customer Services 

– Client Management for Multinational Corporations