individual research project spanish a level

• May 9, 2023

Spanish A Level: How to succeed in your IRP

Part 2 of the AQA A Level Spanish Speaking Assessment consists of the presentation and discussion of an Individual Research Project, which students have previously prepared throughout the year.

It constitutes one of the most fascinating and exciting parts of the A Level Spanish course, as learners can link their own interests to the subject while developing not only their language, but also their research skills.

So, what steps do you need to take in order to prepare a successful IRP?

1. Don't be afraid to choose an original topic .

For the IRP, students must identify a subject or a key question which is of interest to them and which relates to a country, or countries, where Spanish is spoken.

The most successful students use this to their advantage and play to their strengths by choose a topic that they are really, genuinely interested in.

Don’t be afraid to choose something unique and original !

Since the AQA A Level Spanish syllabus includes such a broad variety of themes, it is worth taking your time to identify your area of greatest interest. Instead of going through lists of previous IRP topics for ideas, think about what inspired your interest in Spanish in the first place, and where you intend to take your studies in the future.

The IRP topics do not even have to be taken from the syllabus itself; this is a brilliant opportunity to broaden your knowledge by studying something that the AQA syllabus does not already cover, as long as it is appropriate in scope (not too broad or too narrow) and is based in the culture or history of a Spanish-speaking country. You can find further guidance on the choice of topic here .

2. Combine your choice of topic in Spanish with other subjects you enjoy.

Are you also taking an A Level in art? Then why not research a Spanish-speaking artist and the impact of their work, or the role of art in education in Spain? Taking an approach based on your other A Level subjects means you will be on solid ground and have plenty of existing knowledge and ideas. An added bonus is that you will gain relevant insight into your other A Level subject, too.

Researching something that you really want to learn about, and that may be related to your personal interests, your other academic work or your further studies, will mean that you genuinely enjoy the preparation of your IRP and are in a strong position to make it a success.

💡 Tip: You can also base your research on one Spanish or Latin American literary text or film, but it must not be the same one that you are going to refer in Paper 2, your written assessment.

🔍 Further reference: The A Level Content Advisory Board has published these illustrative examples of individual research topics .

3. Select an appropriate key question for your IRP.

Once you’ve decided which topic you’re going to explore in your project, you can then think of what key question will guide your research.

Why is this important?

If we look at AO4, one of the assessment objectives, it says that, in order to achieve highest marks, students must give an "excellent critical and analytical response". It is therefore important to find an appropriate question that will allow you to analyse the impact and/or evaluate the importance of the aspect you are researching.

Let’s look at an example.

The question “¿Cuáles son las pinturas más famosas de Frida Kahlo? / What are Frida Kahlo’s most famous paintings?” leads to a more descriptive / narrative answer, whereas “¿Cuál es el impacto de la obra de Frida Kahlo? / What’s the impact of Frida Kahlo’s paintings?” requires an analytical answer .

A question that leads to analysis and evaluation is what will set you up to gain the most marks under the AO4 criteria, putting you in a strong position from the outset.

4. Only use high-quality, Spanish-language sources.

The AQA specification states that students must select relevant information in Spanish from a range of sources , including the internet.

You should therefore use a wide variety of sources (not only online information, and not Wikipedia!). These must be reliable and high-quality; it’s better to use information from reputable news sources instead of online tabloids, and documentaries instead of Youtube influencers.

In summary, your sources must be:

reliable: from a reputable author, newspaper, etc;

in different formats : articles, podcasts, books, TV news, etc;

up-to-date : check that the information is recent and correct;

directly relevant to your question or title : not superfluous.

5. Prepare thoroughly for your 2-minute IRP presentation.

In the assessment for the AQA Spanish A Level, students will need to give a presentation with their key findings, speaking for up to two minutes. According to the assessment criteria, "thorough knowledge and understanding of the area of study" must be evident in the presentation in order to gain full marks.

To make sure that all the relevant information is summarised in those two minutes, you can follow this structure:

Initial information.

Background / Context.

Examples / Evidence / Observations.

Consequences / Impact.

Opinions / Conclusions.

Once you’ve prepared the presentation, record yourself reading it to make sure you don’t exceed the 2 minutes. Then, practice many times to learn the overall structure by heart so that you can present it confidently in the exam.

6. Anticipate some of the questions that the examiner might ask you in the discussion.

The presentation of your research will be followed by a 9- to 10-minute discussion with the examiner. These will be based on your presentation and the headings you have chosen (these headings are entered on your Candidate Record Form, which is submitted in advance of the exam). You can’t know the questions in advance, but there are ways to anticipate some of them. Here are some examples of prompts that examiners use frequently:

¿Por qué has elegido estudiar este tema?

Háblame un poco más de….

Cuando hablas de…..¿qué quieres decir exactamente?

Algunas personas piensan que….¿qué piensas tú al respecto?

¿Cómo reaccionas ante esto?

¿Piensas que esto es verdad/ mentira?

¿Qué piensas si te digo que…?

¿Tienes algún ejemplo que pueda justificar tu idea?

¿Y qué dirías si…?

¿Y si te dijera que…..que dirías tú?

En tu opinión, ¿qué impacto ha tenido…..sobre…?

¿Qué es lo que te ha interesado/chocado/marcado/sorprendido más a raíz de tu investigación?

¿De dónde has obtenido tu información?

¿Qué es lo más importante que has aprendido de tu investigación?

¿Cómo ha cambiado tu visión de [nombre del país] o del mundo hispanohablante después de este proyecto individual?

The choice of topic and the way you prepare for the Individual Research Project can make the difference between a good exam performance and an outstanding one. The key is to find what you really love to talk about. This will make the research process, and the assessment itself, a highlight of your Spanish A Level course.

The Kate Maria Languages Academy teaches immersive online A Level courses in Spanish , following the AQA syllabus. The course develops all four key skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, with live lessons taught by experienced A Level tutors. For further information and enrolment details, you can contact us here .

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A Level Spanish Irp Ideas

1. Start by saying “ideas para el Trabajo de Investigación de Español A Level” 2. Use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to convey your ideas 3. Provide examples and evidence to support your argument 4. Use connective phrases to link your ideas together 5. Make sure to proofread and edit your work for accuracy and clarity

Introduction

A Level Spanish Individual Research Project (IRP) is an important component of the Spanish curriculum. It allows students to explore a topic of interest in depth and demonstrate their language skills and cultural understanding. Choosing the right IRP idea is crucial for a successful project. In this article, we will explore some engaging and unique A Level Spanish IRP ideas to inspire you.

1. Spanish Influence in Latin American Literature

Subheading: overview.

In this IRP, you can analyze the impact of Spanish literature on Latin American writers. Explore famous Spanish authors such as Miguel de Cervantes and their influence on renowned Latin American writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Discuss common themes, writing styles, and cultural elements.

Subheading: Methodology

Interview Spanish and Latin American literature experts, conduct surveys, and analyze literary works. Compare and contrast the literary movements in Spain and Latin America.

2. The Evolution of Flamenco Dance

Dive into the rich history and cultural significance of Flamenco dance. Explore its origins in Andalusia, Spain, and how it has evolved over time. Discuss the influence of different cultures and regions on Flamenco, such as Moorish, Gypsy, and Latin American influences.

Attend Flamenco dance classes, interview professional dancers and instructors, and analyze the development of Flamenco through historical records and audiovisual resources.

3. Environmental Challenges in Spanish-Speaking Countries

Focus on the environmental issues faced by Spanish-speaking countries, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Analyze the causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Discuss government policies, NGOs, and community initiatives.

Research case studies, interview environmental activists, analyze reports from environmental organizations, and compare the approaches taken by different countries.

Choosing the right A Level Spanish IRP idea is crucial for an engaging and successful project. The above ideas provide a starting point for your exploration, but feel free to tailor them to your specific interests and goals. Remember to conduct thorough research, gather reliable sources, and present your findings effectively to demonstrate your language skills and cultural understanding.

43 Spanish Cartridge

The 43 Spanish cartridge, also known as the 11x59mmR, is a historical ammunition cartridge that saw use in various Spanish firearms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this article, we will delve into the details of the 43 Spanish cartridge, its history, specifications, and its significance during its time.

1. History of the 43 Spanish Cartridge

Subheading: origins.

The 43 Spanish cartridge was introduced in the 1860s for use in the Spanish military’s rolling block rifles. It was a rimmed, bottlenecked cartridge that replaced the earlier muzzleloading muskets and carbines. The cartridge gained popularity and was widely used by the Spanish army and civilians during its time.

Subheading: Military Service

The 43 Spanish cartridge saw extensive use in various conflicts, including the Spanish-American War, the Cuban War of Independence, and the Philippine-American War. Spanish troops armed with rifles chambered in this cartridge engaged in battles on multiple fronts.

2. Specifications and Performance

Subheading: cartridge dimensions.

The 43 Spanish cartridge had a case length of 59mm and a bullet diameter of approximately 11mm. It featured a bottlenecked shape, which facilitated smoother feeding and extraction in firearms.

Subheading: Ballistics

Depending on the specific load and bullet weight, the 43 Spanish cartridge achieved velocities of around 1,300 to 1,400 feet per second. It typically utilized a round-nose or flat-nose lead bullet, which had moderate stopping power for its time.

The 43 Spanish cartridge played a significant role in Spanish military history during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its adoption and widespread use in Spanish firearms, particularly rolling block rifles, ensured its prominence on various battlefields. While no longer in active military use, the 43 Spanish cartridge remains an important part of firearms history, reflecting the technological advancements and military strategies of its time.

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AQA A level spanish, independent research project

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A-level Spanish

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Teaching guide: works - literature

Published 14 Oct 2015

Teaching guide: works - films

Lesson activity: ser and estar - slides

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Lesson activity: por and para

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 39 KB

Lesson activity: imperfect tense revision

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 49 KB

Lesson activity: present tense revision

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 219 KB

Lesson activity: ser and estar - notes

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 1.2 MB

Lesson activity: preterite conjugation revision

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 164 KB

Teaching guide: individual research project: Paper 3 Speaking

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 170 KB

Scheme of work

Published 9 Jul 2015 | DOCX | 84 KB

Teaching guide: el coronel no tiene quien le escribe

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 607 KB

Teaching guide: las bicicletas son para el verano

Published 9 Jul 2015 | PDF | 269 KB

Resource list: set texts and films

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AQA A-level Spanish (includes AS) [hoddereducation.co.uk]

Authors: Mike Zollo, José Antonio Garciá Sánchez, Tony Weston, Mike Thacker Publisher: Hodder Education

AQA A-level Spanish Year 2 [global.oup.com]

Authors: Margaret Bond, Ian Kendrick, Francisca Mejias-Yedr, Francisco Villatoro Publisher: Oxford University Press

AQA A-level Spanish Year 1 and AS [global.oup.com]

Authors: Margaret Bond, Ian Kendrick, Francisca Mejias Yedra, Francisco Villatoro. Publisher: Oxford University Press

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Useful selection of resources for Independent Research Project (A level Spanish) for AQA Students

Subject: Spanish

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Other

Last updated

27 May 2019

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I have created these resources to enable my students to gain a thorough understanding of the structure required for the IRP. This is in line with AQA but have used some of these previously with EDEXCEL (just need adapting)

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