Spanish

What Is Special About This Subject?

Languages develop curious, independent, life-long learners who can creatively adapt their knowledge to deepen understanding of cultural issues and become caring world citizens.

WHAT IS THE LEARNING JOURNEY THROUGH THIS SUBJECT?

Key Stage 3 – Spanish

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THIS SUBJECT?

Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live and work. Learning languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment. Students learn to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people. By making comparisons, students gain insight into their own culture and society. The ability to understand and communicate in another language is a lifelong skill for education, employment and leisure in this country and throughout the world.

WHAT SKILLS AND THEMES ARE COVERED?

The following areas are covered during the Key Stage:

Myself, school equipment, numbers and colours. Basic phrases
School
Family
My home
Activities, family and friends and daily routine
Places in town – using the future tense
Holiday – using the past tense
Food and drink – using expressions
Sports and leisure activities – using past, present and near future together
Spanish Speaking countries – cultural awareness

HOW IS IT ASSESSED?

Students’ progress is assessed on listening, speaking, reading and writing. It includes on-going formative assessment and informative end of topic assessment using NTC Standards.

What extra-curricular activities can students get involved in?

Miss Rodriguez runs a Fun With Languages club. As part of this club, you will be cooking different recipes from around the world, you will be watching films in different languages, you will use technology to deepen your understanding of languages such as playing games online and playing games outside in different languages.

What can my child do at home to improve his progression this subject?

In Spanish we use a website called Language Gym to practice in lesson and at home. The teacher will set up the task they need you to focus on while at home so that you know what you should be working so that it links with what we are learning in lesson. You are of course free and welcome to use this website at any time to learn whatever you want in addition to what you are asked to learn.

Quizlet is another online platform with specific revision for GCSE this will be set up in Google Classroom.

Blooket is a fun website to play games whilst learning Spanish. Revision booklets form each module will be posted on Google Classroom (you can also find them in the school website)

And you can download Duolingo at home as an App on your phone (although you need to ask your parents' permission if you are under 13).

Last but not least you can also watch some films (Netflix/Amazon/Youtube) in Spanish!

WHERE DOES THIS TAKE ME?

KS3 learning provides a sound base for future language learning. Students who achieve level 5 have the required knowledge and skills to start a GCSE course.

Key Stage 4 – GCSE Spanish

WHAT WILL I LEARN ON THIS COURSE?

The GCSE Edexcel course develops the linguistic skills that are relevant and useful in a variety of social, leisure and work-related situations. The course provides a solid foundation in the target language and the emphasis is placed on the learner developing knowledge and understanding of language and grammar so that he can use the target language independently. The course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established during Key Stage 3.

To achieve their goals, students work independently, in pairs and in groups. They need to learn vocabulary regularly and complete weekly homework tasks.

HOW IS THIS QUALIFICATION TAUGHT AND ASSESSED?

The content of the course relates to the five themes listed below and is delivered through the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Translating from the target language to English and vice-versa is another skill which is taught and assessed within the following themes:

Identity and culture
Local area, holiday and travel
School
Future aspirations, study and work
International and global dimension

Literary texts are included in the authentic language reading and comprehension tasks.

You are assessed in GCSE Spanish in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; 25% of the marks are allocated to each skill. Translating from Spanish to English is part of the reading paper and translating from English to Spanish is a component of the writing paper.

All the skills are assessed at the end of the course in 100% external assessment. There are tiered papers: Foundation tier and Higher tier papers and the grading system is 9 to 1, 9 being the highest grade.

WHAT QUALIFICATION WILL I ACHIEVE?

You will gain 1 GCSE qualification.

WHERE WILL THIS QUALIFICATION TAKE ME?

If you speak Spanish you can communicate with almost 500 million people worldwide. Imagine how many friends you could make, think about how many more employment opportunities that could give you! And if you are traveling in Latin America or Spain, a little knowledge of Spanish will go a long way.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS ABOUT SPANISH:

Spanish is the 3rd most widely spoken in the world, used by 500 million people, after Mandarin Chinese and English.
24 different nations speak Spanish either as the official language or as a primary language.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Contact Mr China: chinah@ntc.kent.sch.uk or Miss Rodriguez: rodriqueza@ntc.kent.sch.uk.