Spanish
Subject Overview
Learning another language enables you to gain appreciation and awareness of different cultures. In Spanish students develop their knowledge of the language through learning a range of vocabulary and grammar structures across a wide variety of topics. Through KS3 through to KS5 students gain desirable skills that will well equip them for future study or job opportunities, such as communication, working as part of a team and problem solving.
Facilities
The Spanish classrooms are equipped with a computer and an interactive whiteboard. The department subscribes to lots of online language learning websites, such as Kerboodle, Linguascope, Exampro, Active Teach and Dynamic Learning. There is also a class set of Ipads for the department, which are available to book for learning purposes.
KS3
Year 7 Curriculum:
- All about me
- My family, pets and personal descriptions.
- My school life
- Food and drink
- My free time
- At home
Year 8 Curriculum:
- Clothes and fashion
- Cinema and T.V.
- Holidays
- -Healthy lifestyles
- In my city
KS4
Students spend the first term of year 9 building on their KS3 learning, through completing a bridging unit, which covers essential grammar and vocabulary needed to begin the GCSE course.
In years 10 and 11 students follow the Edexcel 9-1 GCSE course, which covers a range of themes including School and Future plans, Free Time and Holiday activities and Healthy Lifestyles. Students sit exams at the end of Year 11 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
KS5
In year 12 students spend the first term recapping and learning the essential grammar tenses and structures required for the A level course. During the course students learn about current affairs and historical events in Spain and Latin America, as well as studying a film and a novel in the target language. Students study the 2 year linear A level course and are assessed at the end of Year 13 in listening, reading and translation, speaking, and essay writing.
Enrichment
KS3 Languages Club - takes place every Tuesday in F030 with Miss Hindley.
Year 11 GCSE revision enrichment - takes place Thursdays and Fridays with your Spanish teacher.
We plan an annual trip to Spain, open to years 8-10 which develops students’ cultural awareness of the country, as well as enables them to practice their language skills. In the past we have visited Madrid, Barcelona, Granada and this year students will be travelling to Malaga in June!
KS5 students have the opportunity to spend time in Spain practising their speaking skills in an authentic setting, attend language school or complete work experience there. This year, students are going to Seville.
Support
Regular Saturday GCSE revision sessions are planned in over the year to offer extra intervention for students.
Links
Quote from Head of Department
The Spanish department have enjoyed great success in exam results in previous years and this is down to the dedication and hard work from staff and students alike. We are a welcoming and supportive department and we love to celebrate language learning through enrichment, trips and European Day of Languages!
