Subject Pages
Spanish
Modern Foreign Languages
The Modern Foreign Languages Department at Highworth Grammar School aims to foster an enthusiasm and passion in our students for languages. Students will be enriched with knowledge about each country’s culture and develop an appreciation of the importance of modern foreign languages in an increasingly globalised society. The provision of a stimulating learning environment, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities, will develop resilient, confident, culturally curious students. Students will be equipped with practical skills and self belief so that they can learn a language successfully into adulthood.
Our MFL teachers work enthusiastically to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum to engage and challenge the students, so they are able to communicate confidently in another language. We provide opportunities for students to progress in the four main skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The study of grammar and linguistic structures also enhances knowledge of students' own languages. They practise a variety of skills which can be applied to a wide range of future pathways and career choices. We strive to lay the foundation of life-long learning to study a future language, or study and work in other countries.
Our MFL department raises the profile of language learning across the school through extra-curricular events such as the European day of Languages. Additionally, Highworth International Programmes (click here for more information) help prepare our students to compete and contribute in an increasingly interconnected world, building knowledge and understanding of: people and places; the issues which unite us; and the attitudes and behaviours required to become a responsible global citizen.
The curriculum is designed to:
- Create opportunities so that all students are engaged and challenged, whilst being supported to achieve their best
- Develop the students’ powers of oral communication and confidence in their chosen language, creating speaking opportunities to build confidence, spontaneity and a willingness to communicate
- Check understanding. We focus on a continuous dialogue between teachers and students - we use our questioning carefully, we use mini whiteboards and games/challenges to achieve this
- Achieve high levels of engagement and collaboration in lessons through pair and group work, including fun games and challenges
- Support retention of knowledge with regular review (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Present new material in small steps, providing models & scaffolds and through guided practice
- We draw upon Conti’s teaching MFL principles of recall/repetition and pronunciation
- We focus on students gaining cultural insights which are carefully embedded in our curriculum. We use a variety of resources, including authentic material and experiences by our native language teachers.
We encourage our students to:
- Have a positive and enjoyable attitude to learning languages that stays with them for life
- Build confidence so that they are prepared to ‘have a go’ and communicate willingly
- Develop linguistic skills and awareness of grammar, so that they can communicate effectively
- Develop personal qualities, such as politeness, perseverance, empathy, confidence and independence, through Speaking and Listening activities.
- Develop transferable learning skills, such as collaboration, initiative, creativity and 'thinking outside the box', which can be used in other subjects and future careers
- Develop their awareness of cultural differences and understand other perspectives to equip them as ‘Global Citizens’ who belong to a multicultural world
- Lay the foundation of life-long learning to study a future language, or study and work in other countries
- Apply their learning by reflecting on their own first language, exploring similarities and differences to develop an understanding of how language works.
Spanish
Spanish is the official language in 21 countries in the world and there are over 400 million Spanish speakers. By learning Spanish fluently, you open up a whole world of opportunities: linguistic, commercial and the possibility of making new friends throughout the Spanish speaking world. Every Spanish teacher in Highworth is dedicated to the teaching and promotion of Spanish language and culture.
Staffing
|
Head of Department |
Mrs M O’Reilly |
|
Teachers
|
Mrs M Fernandez-Perez Mrs S McCutcheon |
|
Ambassadors
|
Gassama 9JP Elodie 10NS |
|
Prefects
|
Stefanie Mabel |
Curriculum Map
Click here for the Spanish Curriculum Map
Key Stage 3
Content
During Year 7, a variety of topics will be covered in a fun and accessible way, to enable students to communicate basic information, and to lay the foundations for further study. The topics we aim to cover are: Personal Information; School life; Free time; and Family and Friends.
During Year 8, the language acquired during Year 7 will be built upon and a number of topics will be covered which will aim to boost oral confidence in the language and general grammatical awareness. The topics we aim to cover are: Holidays; Media and technology; Food; Arranging to go out; and Home and Local Area
We will be using the textbook Viva 1 in Year 7 Viva 2 in Year 8 and Viva 3 in Year 9 a variety of other materials to support students through this curriculum and homework will be set regularly to reinforce the learning undertaken in the classroom.
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
In KS3, students will largely complete class and homework in exercise books and produce display work on paper. Homework and written tasks will be accompanied by a comment as necessary. For each end of module test, a mark out of 16 will be awarded (10 marks for content and 6 marks for language). We will endeavour to return corrected work within two weeks and where work is not completed to our expectations, students will be given an opportunity to review their work to achieve a level which better reflects their potential. Vocabulary tests, Listening and Reading exercises completed in class will be given a raw mark, and we embrace a variety of assessment techniques, including teacher, peer and self-assessment.
Please click here for the Year 7 Spanish assessment grids
Please click here for the Year 8 Spanish assessment grids
Please click here for the Year 9 Spanish assessment grids
Key Stage 4
Content
You will learn to express yourself in a range of everyday situations, from holidays to health, with an emphasis on the practical use of Spanish. You will also learn about the culture and customs of the target language country and gain a valuable insight into life in an international context. In addition to the valuable communication skills you will gain, a modern foreign language will help your university application and prove extremely useful in your future career. It is a fact that in this country, speakers of a foreign language earn more! It is possible to study more than one language and if you are interested, please speak to your teachers to see whether they think you are a suitable candidate to do this.
During the course, you will study four topic areas, which will build upon the language you have studied in Key Stage 3:
Theme 1: Identity and culture
- Me, my family and friends
- Technology
- Free time activities
Theme 2: Local, national and international and global areas of interest
- Home, town, neighbourhood and region
- Social issues
- Global issues
- Travel and tourism
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment
- My studies
- Life at school/ college
- Education Post-16
- Jobs, careers choices and ambitions
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
In Key Stage 4, students will be assessed using the corresponding GCSE mark scheme, and all work will be corrected, with targets as appropriate. Oral feedback will also be given regularly, as we find these 1:1 discussions lead to a greater understanding of the demands at a higher level.
Specification
Please click here for the AQA GCSE Spanish specification
A Level
Content
A level AQA specification 2016
1. Aspects of Hispanic society
-
Modern and traditional values
-
Cyberspace
-
Equal rights
2. Artistic culture in the Hispanic world
-
Modern day idols
-
Spanish regional identity
-
Cultural heritage
3. Multiculturalism in Hispanic society
-
Immigration
-
Racism
-
Integration
4. Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world
-
Today’s youth, tomorrow’s citizens
-
Monarchies and dictatorships
-
Popular movements
Alongside these themes, we will also be studying some works of Spanish literature and film.
Assessment and feedback
Unit 1: 50% of A2; 2hr
Listening, reading and translation:
Short tasks testing receptive skills
Unit 2: 20% of A2; 2hr 30minutes
Writing:
Translation and essay writing skills, focussing on two works of Spanish literature and/or film.
Unit 3: 30% of A2; approx. 23 minutes
Speaking:
Responding to questions on the above themes and an independent research project.
Specification
Please click here for the AQA A-Level Spanish specification.
Reach Stars
Exam Support
Advice
Student will be given a handbook with a course outline for A level and vocabulary for each topic.
GCSE students will be given booklets to prepare and improve their speaking skills and a list of vocabulary for each topic.
We offer specific support for the teaching of oral Spanish in A Level by a native professional who works with students in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.
Past papers
GCSE: Please click here for AQA GCSE Spanish past papers
A Level: Please click here for Edexcel A Level Spanish past papers
Useful external links
Extracurricular
Clubs
Support sessions for Key Stage 4 at lunch time on Thursday in K312.
Trips and visits
- Year 8 World Languages Day at UKC June 2024
- Year 9 trip to Seville in Term 3
- Santander Trip in Term 6 Years 9 and 12: Our Spanish trip gives students the ideal opportunity to develop not just their Spanish skills, but also to become immersed in Spanish history, culture and traditions. We visit some wonderful sites and sights, which stimulate and encourage our students to further their interest in language and cultural studies.
- Year 12 MFL conference at UKC January 2024
Careers
Careers
Here are just some of the career areas that learning a language can help you access:
- International Business and Marketing
- Science and Engineering
- Tourism
- International Finance and Banking
- Event Management and Catering
- Charity Work
- International and European Law
- Teaching/Tutoring/Lecturing
- Journalism
- International Property Sales and Development
- Interpreting and Translating
- Film and Music/Media
Words of wisdom from our MFL alumni
I'm currently studying Computer Science with Study in Continental Europe at the University of Bristol. My course is challenging and engaging and Bristol is a fantastic city. I love that I can still carry on learning and using Spanish at University. It's a welcome rest from maths-based Computer Science and it's an extra skill I'll have over the many other Computer Science students. Next year I'm going to study abroad in Madrid and I can't wait! I'm going to learn Computer Science in Spanish for a whole year. It's a great opportunity that ultimately stemmed from choosing to take Spanish at A Level. The future looks bright too, my course currently has 100% of its graduates working or in further study six months after completing the course!
Joe