Spanish

Learning Spanish is an ideal way for students to demonstrate the school’s vision of aspiration, kindness and resilience as these attributes lie at the very heart of learning a modern language. Ultimately, by dint of hard work and sustained effort, increased proficiency in a language offers an invaluable insight into different and new cultures, engenders curiosity and a broader global perspective, enables problem solving and improved communication skills and leads to a greater understanding of one’s own culture.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Half of the students in KS3 study Spanish in addition to French. The curriculum has been created to support the overall aims of the Languages department, namely to encourage language learners to develop the skills to advance into the wider world and to continue to develop students so that they are confident with their use of language and are well prepared for the rigour of Key Stage 4 and beyond. Emphasis is placed on each of the four key skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) with students also encouraged to regularly review their notes as a ‘little and often’ approach is the best way to acquire mastery in a language.

Topics covered include:

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11 GCSE)

Students study the AQA (9-1) Spanish Specification at GCSE.  Each of the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are assessed. 

Students receive the support of a Spanish Language Assistant for the oral component of the course with the oral exam itself being examined by the class teacher. Each skill is equally weighted at 25%.

Classroom atmosphere is supportive and students should be happy to experiment with language and have a go. Similarities between global citizens are stressed alongside linguistic and cultural differences.

Topics studied include: 

GCSE Spanish Specification

Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13 A Level)

Students are required to have gained at least a grade 6 in Spanish GCSE to be eligible to take this course at A Level

Students follow the AQA Spanish A Level Course. The A level course is based around current affairs, Spanish culture, speaking, watching films and reading Spanish literature. As well as the four hours teaching from two members of the Languages Team, you will also have an hour session each week in small groups with our Spanish Language Assistant.

By the end of your 2 year Advanced Level course, you will be a confident speaker of Spanish, have a good appreciation of Spanish and Latin American culture and have widened your social and employment opportunities.

Students sit three papers as follows:

• Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing - 50%
• Paper 2: Writing - 20%
• Paper 3: Speaking - 30%

Topics of study are as follows: 

• Aspects of Hispanic Society - changes in family life, use of new technology and equal rights
• Artistic culture in the Hispanic world - Spanish-speaking music and sporting figures, aspects of the regional Autonomous Communities in Span, cuisine and heritage
• Multiculturalism in the Hispanic world - changing attitudes towards immigration, integration and exclusion
• Aspects of political life in Hispanic society - the role and effects of dictatorships in Spain and latin America, current political issues including Catal independence, union power, unemployment 
• Set film: Volver (Almodóvar)
• Set text: Réquiem por un campesino español (Sender)

A Level Spanish Specification

Co-curricular activities

• Language Exchange to partner school in Murcia
• Lunchtime languages club
• Film Study Day at the BFI