Kjhasjkfnasjklñfna

Frequently Asked Questions AS/A Level Spanish (8665/8673/8685/9719)
Are there any changes to the syllabus? A level Spanish Set texts for the Texts paper (Component 4) will change every year. The list of set texts to be examined is provided in the syllabus for each year. AS Spanish Literature Set texts for the Texts paper (Component 4) will change every year. The list of set texts to be examinedis provided in the syllabus for each year. AS First Language Spanish Set texts for the Texts paper (Component 4) will change every year. The list of set texts to be examined is provided in the syllabus for each year. For full details of any changes, please consult the syllabus booklet for the relevant year. What resources are available to support this syllabus? The following resources areavailable: • • • • • • Standards Booklets for the Speaking, Reading & Writing, Essay and Texts components (provide guidance on how these components are marked and includes a cassette of marked work for Speaking). Student Guide to Cambridge AS/A level Languages other than English (aimed at students and teachers, this gives a general overview of the syllabus, explains what examiners are looking for andguides students on how to approach the examination). Past Papers. Mark Schemes. Principal Examiner Reports. Schemes of Work (see CIE Teacher Support website).

Why do AS/A level Languages other than English not follow the same staged assessment pattern as the other new AS/A level syllabuses? Language learning is both linear and skills based. Experience has shown that it takes some time for studentsto acquire the confidence to handle AS/A level topic areas and feedback from “modular” type examinations shows that languages do not readily fit this pattern. This means that it would be inappropriate to test candidates in the early stages of their development of a particular skill area eg speaking or reading and then count that towards an A level grade without further assessment of theirprogress. If this was done, students would compulsorily have to take two tests in each of the skill areas which would significantly add to the burden. What can you offer students in Languages other than English as an interim assessment of their progress? An AS is available which could be used for different purposes: for interim assessment in Reading/Writing and Essay, and in Literature; for finalassessment of students who wish to progress beyond IGCSE, but whose A levels are in other subject areas. To accommodate the fact that AS candidates are taking A level components, the grade boundaries will be set lower than for A level candidates. What this AS does not do, however, is contribute to the A level assessment. Which combinations of qualifications are permitted within each language (other thanEnglish) at AS/A level? Where common components contribute to different awards, candidates may not take more than one of the awards in the same examination session.
Revised March 2008 AS/A Level Spanish (8665/8673/8685/9719) 1/3

For example, • candidates for an Advanced Level award in a subject may not take an Advanced Subsidiary award in the same language in the same session; • candidates forAdvanced Subsidiary First Language may not take Advanced Subsidiary Literature in the same language in the same session. However, candidates may take Advanced Subsidiary Language and Advanced Subsidiary Literature in the same language in the same session. Are students allowed to take dictionaries into the examination room? No. Dictionaries are not permitted. If my candidate is ungraded at Alevel, is there a possibility of a compensatory AS? Yes, all candidates in this position will then be regraded as AS Spanish candidates using the components which are common to both levels and will be awarded an AS grade. Can I teach AS and A level candidates in the same classroom? Yes, the overlap between the components for AS and A level is such that most activities will be suitable for both...