Subject Intent: Why Spanish?
The Spanish curriculum intends to deepen a curiosity and love of languages and other cultures, as well as develop an advanced understanding of how languages work. Through a focus on both culture and communication, we aim to foster a passion for exploring a foreign language and comparing it to our own. Language learning provides an insight into others’ countries and cultures and thus widens our intellectual horizons and promotes social mobility. We aim to broaden students’ knowledge and skills beyond the subject specification, exposing them to as much authentic material as possible. We aim to challenge our students to achieve a high level of communicative competence in the four equally important attainment targets of listening, speaking, reading and writing, thus not only developing literacy skills but also strengthening students’ resilience and problem-solving skills.
Through studying Spanish, students will see the benefits of travelling the world and will be offered the opportunity to visit and have first-hand experience of family life in Spain, therefore ensuring they have the skills to communicate and have meaningful and life changing experience.
What will I study?
Students will study topics from a range of political, social and cultural themes all in relation to the Spanish-speaking world following the AQA A-level course:
- Traditional and modern values.
- Cyberspace.
- Equality of the sexes.
- Influence of idols.
- Regional identity in Spain.
- Cultural heritage.
- Immigration.
- Racism.
- Coexistence.
- Young people today, citizens of tomorrow.
- Monarchies and dictatorships.
- Popular movements.
Spanish
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
Spanish is taught in a specialist language room meaning students have plenty of IT access to facilitate independently controlled listening practice (as in the A-level exam) and pair-work speaking practice. Lessons cover the four main language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing and are taught, as far as possible, in the target language. Grammar teaching is also integrated within the teaching of the A-level topics. In addition to the three lessons, students have a separate speaking session in a pair/individually to enhance fluency and confidence in this skill area. We offer students an opportunity to visit Spain during their course to further develop their cultural knowledge and linguistic competence.
Students can participate in many Enrichment opportunities relating to cultural experience, languages in Higher Education and the world of work. Spanish A-level students can always expect lessons to be fun and relaxed yet challenging and supportive with a consistent focus on the teaching and learning needed in order to get students to where they need to be.
What our
students
This course explores different controversial topics and encourages students to delve into the culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries. I highly recommend Spanish to anyone interested in developing critical thinking skills in an entertaining learning environment.
Maria Alexandra Codrean, Outwood Academy Danum
