Spanish
Head of Department: Mrs H D Kent – hdk@barneyschool.org.uk
Teacher of MFL: Mr A R Jacobs
Teacher of MFL : Mrs C J Riley
Teacher of MFL : Mr A Still
Teacher of MFL : Mr S J F Tomlinson
Introduction
GCSE Spanish provides students with the ability to comprehend and communicate information on a variety of different topics and in different contexts. Given that all students will have to choose at least one language, Spanish can become their core language subject provided that they have studied it previously in Years 8 and 9. The subject encourages enjoyment of language learning and the recognition that language skills enable students to take their place in a multi-lingual, global society.
Students are encouraged throughout to speak the language in order to recount everyday experiences and feelings and opinions that are relevant to young people. They also learn the types of language that they would need in real life situations in the target language country. Of equal importance throughout the course is the teaching of grammar and the provision of cultural information that allows students to better understand society in other countries.
Course/Exam board: GCSE AQA 8698
Specification at a glance
Unit 1 – Listening
Unit 2 – Reading
Unit 3 – Speaking
Unit 4 – Writing
Your route through the syllabus and assessment
There are four examined skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. All are assessed by exam at the end of Year 11. The four skills are available at Foundation Tier and Higher Tier, with students opting for the same tier across all four skills. Students study all of the following themes on which the assessments are based:
Theme 1: Identity and culture
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment
What Spanish can do for you
Spanish is a rapidly growing language. After Mandarin it is the most widely spoken language in the world with 450 million first language Spanish speakers worldwide, including an estimated 37 million in the USA. In a globalised world it is a hugely important language for both business and travel.
