YEAR 9

On arriving in year 9 some students will begin learning Spanish and the KS3 curriculum has been created to enable students to develop skills and linguistic competence within a range of common topic areas, beginning with the basics. Students are taught in mixed ability groups and assessed in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as given an insight into the Spanish culture.  We strongly believe that despite only starting the language in year 9, students are well-equipped to succeed at GCSE, if they choose to continue the subject.

GCSE

The Edexcel GCSE course aims to develop the ability to understand and use a foreign language effectively for purposes of practical communication and to offer an insight into the culture and civilisation of Hispanic countries.

Students will study the following themes, on which all the assessments are based:

Theme 1 Identity and Culture, which includes family and friends, technology and social media, food and drink, free time activities and customs and festivals.

Theme 2 Local area, holiday and travel, which includes holiday, home and local area and travel and tourist transactions.

Theme 3 School, which includes what school is like and school activities.

Theme 4 Future aspirations, study and work, which includes using languages beyond the classroom, jobs, careers and ambitions.

Theme 5 International and global dimension, which include sports and music events, environmental issues and good causes.

ASSESSMENT: GCSE Spanish has a Foundation tier (grades 1-5) and a Higher tier (grades 4-9).  All 4 papers must be taken in the same tier and each paper makes up 25% of the overall GCSE. Paper 1 (Listening): This paper has 2 sections: multiple-response questions, and questions and answers in English.  Paper 2 (Speaking):  This will include a role play, a photo card and a general conversation on two themes.  There will be one speaking test conducted in April or May of Year 11.  Paper 3 (Reading):  This paper is made up of various components: multiple response questions, questions and answers in English, questions and answers in the target language and translation from the target language to English.  Paper 4 (Writing):  The writing examination varies between Higher and Foundation tiers, but both papers will include 2 or 3 writing tasks and some translation from English into the target language, increasing in level of difficulty.

A LEVEL

The A level course is a motivating course of study that will enable students to develop an advanced level knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language, the culture of Hispanic countries, as well as practical and valuable language and transferable study skills. This specification will help students to prepare for higher education and enhance their employability. 

The exam consists of: Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation. Paper 2: Written response to works and translation.  Paper 3: Speaking.

The themes covered are:

· How Spanish society has evolved

· Political and social culture in the Spanish speaking world

· Immigration and multiculturalism of Spain

· Franco’s dictatorship and the transition of democracy

The film studied is Pan’s Labyrinth and the literary text is Réquiem por un campesino español.