Main School
Spanish
The Spanish department aims to enhance and develop the language learning skills already acquired through the work carried out by the French department. We aim to encourage pupils to understand grammatical concepts and vocabulary within contexts and also to be able to transfer meaning to other contexts. This will be carried out in a manner that will enthuse, motivate and emphasize the importance of language learning within our cultural and working lives.
The
teaching of Spanish begins in Year 7 and continues to the end of Year
9, when pupils will decide which GCSE options they wish to do. They
will then follow a GCSE course throughout Years 10 and 11. The Year 7
year group will be split evenly between those doing Spanish or German.
Every opportunity will be given to encourage and support all pupils to
achieve their full potential.
In Year 7, pupils will cover units 1-5 of Listos book 1. Each pupil will have the opportunity to develop in the four skill areas through purposeful and stimulating activities and will be encouraged to develop study skills by learning to work both individually and together in groups. At the end of each unit they will sit an end of module test in each of the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Equally they will sit an end of year exam on everything covered throughout the year.
In Year 8, pupils will cover unit 6 of Listos book 1 and units 1-4 of Listos book 2. Pupils will continue to develop confidence in understanding and using the language. They are encouraged to express themselves using a range of vocabulary and structures. They will be required to sit an end of module test in each of the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Equally they will sit an end of year exam on everything covered throughout the year.
In Year 9, pupils will cover units 5-6 of Listos book 2 and units 1-2 of book 3. The four language skills are developed to incorporate more extensive reading, productive and creative writing, personal conversation and practical situations in role-plays and unscripted recordings. Grammar continues to be central to pupils’ learning. End of module tests will continue throughout the year, with a final end of year exam on the whole years’ work.
The GCSE course (Years 10 and 11) follows the AQA syllabus. There are two tiers of assessment: Foundation (G-C) and Higher (D-A*). Candidates may be entered for either Foundation or Higher in each skill. There is no coursework and the four skills are weighted equally. GCSE content is based on six topic areas:
- Personal relationships
- Tourism
- The environment
- Leisure
- Home life
- Education/work
For more details view detailed subject options by viewing the Option Blocks webpage.
Out of the Classroom
At present Spanish has just been introduced into the curriculum. However, every opportunity to enhance the pupils knowledge and social and cultural awareness of Spain and the Spanish speaking world will be pursued. Initially a link is at present being established with a school in Mexico in order to set up some e-mailing contacts, with a view to a possible exchange in the future.
Equally should there be any possibilities to invite Spanish performing groups to school this will be done.
