Spanish

Year 9 will be the first year of a 3 year GCSE journey and we hope that students will decide to complete this journey in Year 10 and 11.

The Year 9 curriculum will build on previous knowledge acquired in Year 8 by developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and includes a focus on skills such as translation, understanding authentic and literary texts and spontaneous speaking. This course will emphasise the fact that learning Spanish is not just about vocabulary and grammar but having an appreciation of Spanish and indeed hispanic culture and customs.

COURSE CONTENT

We aim to foster an inquisitive and curious student who has a genuine passion for ‘all things’ Spanish as well as a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

Holidays

● Preferences, past holidays, accommodation and problems

School Life

● Subjects, uniform, teachers, describing your school, your achievements

My People

● Family, social networks, making plans, relationships, reading preferences

SKILLS DEVELOPED

● Listening & Speaking ● Reading & Writing ● Grammar - There is a greater emphasis on grammar, requiring students to use and manipulate a variety of key grammar structures and patterns. ● Vocabulary - There is also a greater emphasis on vocabulary including vocabulary that goes beyond a student’s immediate needs and interests.

RESOURCES

● Viva AQA GCSE Spanish online textbook ● Languagenut digital learning platform

The Viva GCSE online textbook and Languagenut subscription are provided. Students may also access other sites independently such as Languages Online, Duolingo, Memrise or Quizlet.

SETTING

Students are placed in sets determined by previous exposure to the Spanish language in Year 8, summative and formative assessment, and teachers’ professional judgements. Students can and do move between sets regularly. Our objective is always to place students in the correct group commensurate with their language learning needs.

ASSESSMENTS

Spanish is assessed summatively through at least one assessment per module, linked closely to the skills developed. The end of year assessment follows a similar format but will include all modules studied. Spanish is also assessed through informal assessments which are conducted in each lesson. Both types of assessments contribute to students’ overall assessment grade.