Spanish

Curriculum Intent

Our department is committed to promoting languages both in school and beyond as an invaluable skill for young people in an increasingly small world.

Teaching and learning focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and activities are aimed at challenging, engaging and motivating learners. We build in opportunities in lessons for learners to develop their confidence, independence and creativity in the language and to adapt and apply language in new and different ways. Links are made to prior learning and a grammatical understanding as to how the language works underpin our approach to language learning in the Faculty. A range of learning activities and styles are incorporated into lessons to meet the needs of all our learners with account taken of individual differences in learning styles, interest and ability to maximise their enjoyment of the subject and overall achievement. Activities offer opportunities for extension to all pupils as well as the more able and creativity and independence in the language are both encouraged and supported in all learners.

Curriculum Implementation

Key Stage 3

Pupils who are allocated French will continue to study this language throughout years 7 and 8.

Throughout Key Stage 3 pupils have opportunities to communicate for a real purpose, express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to language both in speaking and writing. They listen to and read a variety of texts to increase their understanding and become confident in expressing themselves. They also focus on the use of patterns in the foreign language consequently becoming familiar with a range of grammatical structures. Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups.

At KS3 we follow Claro, an interactive approach which enables rapid progress across all skills. It is essential that every learner acquires their own dictionary.

Year 7 Units of Study

1. Unit 1 Myself and my family

2. Unit 2 Where I live

3. Unit 3 School

Pupils are assessed in January and in June on all skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.

Year 8 Units of Study

1. Unit 1 Free time

2. Unit 2 Healthy living

3. Unit 3 Holidays

Pupils are assessed in January and in June on all skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.

Key Stage 4

Pupils who embark on studying a language at KS4, follow the AQA GCSE course. We use AQA GCSE Nelson Thornes supported by the Kerboodle on line material. In addition, in preparation for the more rigorous examination, our learners are given a Booklet of Support Activities and Grammar which contains a wide range of materials related to each topic of a specific Theme. It is essential that every learner acquires their own dictionary. Our intention is to offer the best balance of support and encouragement in order to instil in all our learners a desire for success.

Themes:

1. Identity and Culture

2. Local, national, international and global areas of interest

3. Current and future study and employment

We promote a more independent approach to study by suggesting additional practice from the following websites:

www.memrise.com – helps learning vocabulary. Download the free App.

www.quizlet.com – helps acquiring topic based vocabulary. Download the free App.

www.duolingo.com – develops listening, reading and writing skills. Download the free App. www.voki.com– great for practising listening and pronunciation.

www.languagesonline.org.uk– very good grammar consolidation and topic based vocabulary practice.

www.bbc.co.uk/education– GCSE bitesize to practice exam style questions.
 

Key Stage 5

Exam Board: AQA

Why A Level Spanish?   

An ability to learn a language will increase your confidence, independence, creativity and resourcefulness.  Exploring other cultures broadens your horizons, enhances your understanding of your native culture and promotes cultural diversity. In the 21^st century, being able to communicate in a foreign language is an asset, valued by both employers and universities and is an invaluable life-long skill.

What will you study?

The course will build on the linguistic skills you will have gained at GCSE and broaden your social, political, economic and cultural knowledge of the countries where that language is spoken. You will also experience a wider variety of topics relating to contemporary and lifestyle issues which will develop your language skills as you progress through the course.  You will be presented with a range of authentic stimuli including film, video clips, music and interactive online resources and have access to listening and reading materials including  exam-type questions, supported by vocabulary sheets and grammar activities.

University degrees that require or often prefer a qualification in a Spanish include:

Modern Foreign language degrees, European Language Studies, Linguistic Degrees, Leisure and Tourism, International Politics, Classical Studies.

Entry requirements:

Minimum grade 6 in GCSE Spanish.

‘La literatura no es otra cosa que un sueño rigido.’

‘Literature is nothing more than a directed dream.’

Jorge Luis Borges

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

There are also various activities throughout the year, which form part of the languages curriculum to enhance the experience of learning a foreign language and take languages out of the classroom: theatre Productions by visiting Onatti Theatre group in French and Spanish, language-based activities/workshops and our well appreciated French and Spanish breakfast mornings.

Skills for Success and Career Opportuntities

Jobs directly related to a languages degree: Interpreter, Teacher, Translator.

Jobs were a languages degree would be useful: English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Sales Manager, Event Organiser, Marketing Executive, Diplomatic services Officer and much more.

Some graduate recruitment programmes that require language skills or which offer the chance to work in other European countries:

Beiersdorf
Beyond Borders Graduate Programme

beiersdorf.co.uk/Careers/Graduate_Programme__THRIVE.html

Cargill European Graduate Programme cargill.com/careers/european-graduate-program

Civil Service – European Fast Stream
http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/the-differentstreams/european

Diageo European Graduate Programme http://bit.ly/1mL4eqH

EasyJet European Graduate Programme http://careers.easyjet.com/graduates

European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/work_with_eu/recruitment/index_en.htm

Goodyear Dunlop European Graduate Programme gdte-career.com/gdc_euen/index.html 

Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)

gchq-careers.co.uk/job-search/studentsgraduates

Heineken International Graduate

Programme http://www.theheinekencompany.com/careers/graduates

Inter-Continental Hotels ihggraduates.com/europe European Graduate Programme

Reckitt Benckiser rb.com/european-graduate-programme European Graduate Programme

Red Bull European Graduate Programme redbullgraduateprogramme.eu

The Security Service (MI5) mi5.gov.uk

Sony European Graduate Programme sony.co.uk/hub/european-graduate-programme 

Telefonica Pan-European Graduate Programme

Skills that can be gained from learning a language can be: Commitment, Interdependence, Seeking and responding to feedback,Noticing, Personal organisation, Making appropriate links and connections, Absorption, Sensitivity to global concerns and Confidence.

Contact the Head of Spanish

Please contact the Head of Spanish Mrs Raluca Szabo