Spanish

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin and before English. This popular language is offered at GCSE as a full option language to students who have studied the language at KS3 or have Spanish as their native language.

Students are expected to continue with a language at GCSE, if they choose to continue with Spanish, they will be exposed to lessons which feature independent and collaborative activities. Spanish teachers deliver the course content whilst seizing opportunities to raise student cultural awareness through residential trips in year 8, 10 and 12/13. In year 9, students also have the opportunity to use the target language during a visit to a Spanish restaurant, where they can order typical Spanish dishes.

Course description

Students study the full course, which includes four papers: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The reading and writing papers feature a section on translation both to and from Spanish. Students follow the AQA Spanish course and this explores a range of topics at GCSE level such as Media, Sport and Leisure, Free Time, Business, Work and Employment and Travel and Tourism.

What will you learn about?

Spanish students will learn listening, speaking, writing and reading skills. In addition to this, learners will build an awareness of Spanish and Hispanic culture and also learn translation skills. Topics in KS3 include School, family and Spanish food. Students will have the opportunity to communicate with native speakers on the Exchange trip and residential trips.

To be successful in this subject students will need to be good at and enjoy

Communicating, writing, conversing and learning and understanding new cultures and traditions. Successful language students need to be open minded and resilient.

Progression routes & career opportunities

A grade 6 or above at GCSE provides a foundation for further study at A Level and at university. A language GCSE is an invaluable and highly marketable qualification for those students who are seeking work in the field of Banking, Media, Linguistics, translation and Interpretation among others. Having a language provides excellent opportunities for those who want to work abroad in Europe, the U.S and South America. The study of Spanish beyond GCSE will offer an in-depth understanding of Hispanic language and culture through the study of film, literature and a range of topics that build upon the GCSE syllabus. Such detailed study of Spanish will provide students with the invaluable asset of social, linguistic and cultural versatility as they move towards university study before embarking upon a career.

Homework/extended learning

Students work on regular homework, which can include writing, vocabulary or translation. Learners are encouraged to use free apps such as Quizlet and Duolingo. A range of video and audio resources are also available on Google Classroom.

Additional information

Spanish Culture is vibrant and welcoming. Learners of Spanish will travel to Costa Brava in Year 8, visiting Barcelona, Port Aventura Theme Park and a Water Park. In year 10 students have the opportunity to travel to Vigo, Northern Spain on the exchange programme. In year 12 and 13 students also travel to Spain, previous trips have included Seville and Madrid. The exchange trips and residential trips allow students the opportunity to communicate in Spanish with students of the same age and visiting local places of interest such as the well-known “Islas Cies” off the Galician Coast. Similarly, students practise speaking in an authentic context when visiting the theme park buying tickets, food or shopping etc.