Modern Foreign Languages - Spanish
Through a range of engaging educational activities which focus on developing language awareness and practising listening and speaking micro-skills, we enable our pupils to grow into confident linguists who can perform real world communicative tasks with spontaneity and fluency. By continuously revisiting vocabulary and empowering pupils with the very best techniques that support memory, we nurture confidence in their ability, creating a positive mindset in language acquisition, regardless of their linguistic background. In this way, we foster analytical thinking, which enhances academic performance in other subjects.
Throughout the key stages, we practise the four key skills of communication - speaking, listening, reading and writing - whilst also offering regular opportunities for students to discover the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. We use digital technology both in lessons and for home-learning. Students are engaged and learn through games, group work, role play, competitions and a variety of digital applications. In year 9, Spanish students visit the vibrant city of Barcelona; while in year 10, Spanish students visit the southern part of Spain and establish pen-pals that they visit in a Spanish school. In addition to enrichment activities in class, we are expanding our school trip offerings year-on-year, as we believe that it is important for students to be fully immersed in the Spanish culture.
We are proud to have earned the Primary Languages Quality Mark Silver Level in 2020 and British Council International Schools Award Intermediate Level in 2020.
KS2
Having studied French from year 3, the continuity in terms of grammar and topics between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 will help our children to feel confident when learning a modern foreign language. It also challenges them in new ways as they broaden their knowledge of vocabulary and expand their understanding of grammatical techniques.
KS3
All students start Spanish as a second language in year 8, where they build a solid foundation of grammar and vocabulary, through studying topics relevant to their daily lives: describing yourself and your family, describing your free-time activities, talking about where you live, visiting restaurants and discussing life in school as well as expressing opinions on lots of other relevant topics. We believe that cultural experiences form an essential part of language learning. As such, we offer a range of projects throughout Key Stage 3 to engage students in the Spanish-speaking world. Our SCHOLAR drivers are present in every lesson, as students are encouraged to explore how the Spanish language works, looking for patterns, lead discussions in groups and share their ideas. Oracy is embedded into every single language lesson, with students learning how to understand and produce the target language using both informal and formal registers through regular speaking and listening activities. Students explore a variety of Spanish-language films, research customs and festivals in the Spanish-speaking worlds, and even enjoy preparing and tasting typical dishes. Technology is fully integrated to enhance lessons as students use their iPads to play interactive games that support their vocabulary and grammatical development. Sketchbook is also regularly used as a tool for whole-class teacher assessment and tasks are often uploaded to Seesaw or OneNote for students to work interactively and become more independent learners, especially in year 9.
|
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
Year 8 |
The Spanish world and greetings |
Family, pets, friends and number 1-31 |
Free-time activities |
|
Year 9 |
A healthy lifestyle, food and injuries |
Talking about past and future holidays |
Technology, social media, film, music and TV programmes |
