Spanish Staff

Miss G Price (Head of Department)
Mrs K Russ
Mrs C Watson
Mrs S Mateu (Language Assistant)

The Spanish Department

¡Hola! ¡Bienvenidos! The Presdales Spanish Department comprises four teachers and a Spanish Language Assistant, who are passionate about the subject and keen to pass on our knowledge and a love of the Spanish language to the students we teach.

So, why learn Spanish? Spanish is a language of global importance. Only Mandarin Chinese has more native speakers and globally almost 500 million people speak the language. Nowadays it is the second most studied language and the second language in international communication. 28 countries spread over four continents have Spanish as their primary or secondary language.

It is becoming increasingly popular as companies develop and broaden their links with Spain and South America. The world of business management, marketing, tourism, banking, the Civil Service and telecommunications all provide opportunities for language graduates.

Our Vision and Aims

The department aims to equip students with language which they can make use of in Spain, and with the skills of language learning. We also aim to provide an insight into Spanish culture and traditions, providing excursions to Spain and exhibitions in the UK when suitable.

Students may begin in Spanish in Year 7, during this year they will learn the basics for communication in Spanish and additionally study cultural aspects of language. In Years 8 and 9 they continue to build on what they have learned in Year 7.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7 students have the chance to start Spanish as their second language option. Students are placed in one of two parallel (mixed ability) groups and then set later in the year after end of unit assessments.

Students learn how to conduct a variety of everyday conversations and have the opportunity to put these into practice in Spain if they take part in the 4 day trip to Csntabria in June/July of Year 8 or 9.

Students are introduced to the basic grammatical concepts of the language. Classes are conducted mainly in Spanish and students are actively encouraged to use the language as much as possible themselves. The four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are developed during the course of the three years. Topics covered include self, descriptions, free time, talking about their town and classroom language. Assessment is by means of end of unit assessments and end of year examination.

For details on the Spanish GCSE and to aid students’ independent learning with additional study materials, the Spanish Department has created a Google Site, accessible via students’ RM Unify logins. Please click here for the KS4 Google Site

GCSE

The course aims to develop the pupils’ understanding of the language, their ability to communicate effectively, their knowledge and application of grammar, and their knowledge and understanding of Spanish life and culture.

The topics to be covered, on which the new GCSE assessment will be based are Identity and culture (self and others, family, daily life and hobbies), Local, national, international and global areas of interest (home town, travel, tourism and social issues) and Current and future study (school, education and employment).

The GCSE examinations take place at the end of Year 11, during which pupils are assessed on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The weighting is 25% listening, 25% reading, 25% speaking and 25% writing. Assessment of student progress also takes place throughout the course, by means of mid-year tests and an end of Year 10 examination.

For more details on the Spanish GCSE and to aid pupils’ independent learning with additional study materials, the Spanish Department has created a Google Site, accessible via pupils’ RM Unify logins. Please click here for the KS4 Google Site

If you are interested in studying A Level Spanish at Presdales, please click here to see the KS5 Google Site for Spanish, accessible in the same way.

A Level

Spanish

Entry requirements: GCSE grade 6 in Spanish

Through a variety of topic areas such as family and marriage, tourism, music and media, festivals and the world of work, you will develop your language skills and consolidate your knowledge of grammar and translation.

In addition, you will study a Spanish film in Year 12 and undertake a study of literature in Year 13. You will also continue to study a variety of social, political and cultural issues from a range of Hispanic countries.

We use films, popular magazines and newspapers alongside the course book to teach the topics, and the department has organised trips to conferences, the cinema and theatre productions to complement the course. You will also have the opportunity to take part in our exchange to Barcelona to develop speaking skills and cultural knowledge.

Assessment

You will be assessed across all four skills as you were at GCSE. Assessment will also include a focus on translation skills and you will study two pieces of literature in detail (a film in Year 12, and a short novel or play in Year 13).The speaking examination will include an independent research project which will require you to provide statistics and evidence of different viewpoints. The assessment criteria also require you to demonstrate cultural knowledge.

Career Opportunities

Spanish is the third most widely spoken language (after Mandarin Chinese and English) and has become increasingly important as companies develop and broaden their links with Spain and South America. The world of Business Management, Marketing, Tourism, Banking, the Civil Service, Journalism and Telecommunications all provide opportunities for languages graduates.

In addition to reading a purely languages degree at University, you could combine your Spanish with such subjects as Business Studies, Accountancy, Science, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Politics, History of Art and Information Technology. Competence in Spanish could also be a useful tool in the service industries.

Curriculum Maps

Year 7 Curriculum Map

Year 8 Curriculum Map

Year 9 Curriculum Map

Year 10 Curriculum Map

Year 11 Curriculum Map

Years 12 and 13 Curriculum Map

For an overview of our Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 Curriculum Maps, please click here.

Extracurricular Activities

Spanish is offered at Presdales from Year 7 up until Year 13. The department offers an annual trip to Cantabria in the north of Spain for Years 8 and 9, and an exchange with a school in Barcelona every other year – available to Years 9, 10, and 12. We also facilitate work experience in Spain through an experienced company, should students wish to do this in Year 12. These trips offer students the opportunity to practise the Spanish they have learnt with native speakers and to experience Spain’s rich culture and cuisine.

Independent Learning

Learning Links