French

SUBJECT: Spanish

What is this subject all about at Senior Cycle?

Senior Cycle Spanish will cover the four language skills needed for the Leaving Certificate exam: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An important focus of the course will be building students’ confidence in speaking Spanish. Students will be encouraged to practise their skills in asking and answering questions through oral presentations and role plays. Students’ individual needs, will be addressed, carrying out informal assessments and homework tasks in order for the students to consolidate the work done in class and monitor their own progress.

Do I have to have studied this subject at Junior Cycle in order to do it at Senior Cycle?

Yes, it is a requirement to have studied Spanish at Junior Cycle to proceed with this subject at Senior Level.

Will learning this subject at Senior Cycle be different to what I studied at Junior Cycle?

Senior Cycle Spanish expands on Junior Cycle topics in order to increase your ability to communicate in more advanced Spanish. There is an increased focus on fluency and comprehension of authentic text. In Senior Cycle we read a short novel written by native speakers for native speakers. We also introduce more topics that are relevant for Senior students to understand and to keep up to date with current topics such as the environment, social and gender issues among others.

I will enjoy this subject if…

» You liked the Junior Cycle course and want to become more fluent in Spanish. » You have an interest in learning more about Spanish speaking cultures and their countries.

I will succeed at this subject if…

» You have enjoyed learning Spanish so far and have worked solidly over the three years in Junior Cycle. » You are prepared to work independently by reading authentic material and watching some TV and films in Spanish.

This subject will be useful for a career in…

Foreign and Diplomatic Service, Civil Service, Translation, Interpreting, Travel and Tourism, Teaching, European and International Law, Marketing, Commerce…etc.

Assessment?

We assess students both continuously throughout the Semesters and three times a year we hold in-house exams testing all the skills. This helps student achieve their best potential in this subject. At the end of 6th Year students will complete the Leaving Certificate exam in Spanish set by the State Examinations Commission, which comprises of an oral, listening and written paper.