Modern Foreign Languages
Learning languages expands students' understanding of the wider world and allows them to become more empathetic, less insular, global-thinking citizens. Our knowledge-centred, hierarchical curriculum builds on foundations of grammar, vocabulary and phonics to allow students to better understand and express themselves in the target language, enhances their understanding of English and enables them to learn other languages more easily in the future.
Our choice of topics leads students to express themselves in meaningful and impactful ways as well as to grow their cultural capital by learning about the customs, traditions and beliefs of people from across the Spanish-speaking world.
Modern Foreign Langauges at Key Stage 4
The langauge currently offered at Key Stage 4 is Spanish. This is part of the extended core curriculum. Students must study Spanish, History or Geography.
Spanish GCSE
Aims of the Course
The aim of the course is to enable you to communicate effectively in Spanish in a variety of situations. You can understand what you hear and read, and create language yourself through speaking and writing.
Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world. It is spoken by almost 500 million people as a first language and 599 million including second-language speakers globally, mainly in Spain, Latin America and increasingly in the United States. Spanish is the official language of 22 countries and territories. Spain is a travel and tourist hot spot – the most popular with British holidaymakers. Latin America is a rapidly growing economy. The Spanish language also has a rich culture with Spanish-language music and entertainment becoming mainstream outside of the traditional Spanish-speaking regions. All this makes Spanish the fourth most sought after language by UK employers.
Learning a language means, you also learn huge amounts about your own language and how it is structured. It supports your other subjects. You develop memory skills, communication and interaction skills, learn to speak in public, learn to live off your wits (problem solving strategies) learn to make rational links between ideas and learn to and think quickly. You can practically feel your brain growing.
Assessment
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Spanish
You can enter the assessments at higher or foundation tiers.
There are assessments in listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Each skill is worth 25% of the final GCSE mark.
Assessment is by examination.
Course Content
Topics covered are included in the following themes:
- My personal world
- Lifestyle and wellbeing
- My neighbourhood
- Media and technology
- Studying and my future
- Travel and tourism
Within these topics you will be required to learn and use a finite vocabulary list of 1200 words (Foundation and Higher tier) plus an additional 500 words for higher tier only. This vocabulary will allow you to engage with diverse subjects including:
- family, friends and relationships
- physical and mental wellbeing
- free-time activities (including sports, music, TV and film, shopping, social media and gaming)
- places in town, transport, the natural world and environmental issues
- tourist attractions and accommodation
- school and future opportunities
Beyond GCSE
Languages combine well with almost any other A-level subject. They also combine well with degree courses in other subjects and previous students have studied a language with maths, history, business studies among others. Languages help you stand out in the university application process, with some universities (UCL, certain Russel Group universities) requiring a GCSE language in order to study any subject.
Further information
The awarding body for GCSE Spanish is Peason Edexcel. Further details about this qualification can be found on the Peason website here: Pearson Edexcel GCSE Spanish.