Introduction

At Gartree High School MFL is aprt of the core curriculum and we have a Languages for All policy. Students have two language lessons a week in Year 7 and three lessons a week in Years 8 to 11. The first language taught is French, but in Year 8 pupils have a short Spanish taster course in the spring term. Following this course, pupils can opt to study Spanish from Y9 to GCSE or to continue with French up to GCSE. Language lessons give pupils an opportunity to understand and use French and Spanish across a wide range of topics. Pupils regularly work on developing their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. We also encourage pupils to gain an understanding of the differences and similarities between languages and make links to the English curriculum.

Key Stage 3

Students start the GCSE Spanish course in Year 9 and follow the AQA three-year scheme of work.

Exam Board: AQA Spanish 8698

How the course is assessed: 75% final examination; 25% teacher-assessed speaking task (externally moderated0

Course overview: The courses consist of three broad themes: Identity and Culture; Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest; Current and Future Study and Employment. Within these themes, the courses cover a variety of topics including Technology in Everyday Life, Customs and Festivals in French and Spanish-speaking countries and communities, The Environment and Jobs, Career Choices and Ambitions. In exploring these topics students will develop their ability in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), as well as gaining a fuller understanding of the world around them.

You can expect to:

* Develop an understanding of your chosen country and culture through the use of authentic materials including newspaper articles, poems and film.

* Improve your spoken communication, confidence and public speaking skills in your chosen language.

* Explore a wide range of topics including new technologies, social and global issues and future career choices and ambitions.

* Develop problem-solving strategies.

* Enhance your knowledge of how a language is structured.

Where does it lead?

Studying a modern foreign language will enable students to improve their communication skills and confidence, as well as allowing them to express their ideas, interests and opinions to speakers of their chosen language. It will deepen their understanding of how languages work, will stimulate their cultural knowledge and can enhance their understanding of many other subjects including English, Music, Mathematics and ICT.

Language study adds an international dimension to their choice of GCSE subjects, and is valued by future employers and higher education providers alike.

Other useful information

Achieving proficiency in a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE requires a commitment to independent study and regular revision. You can make use of a range of online resources as well as materials available in school to help you progress.

Year 9

Students start the GCSE curriculum in Year 9 to allow enough time to cover all aspects of the course. After a comprehensive introduction to Spanish, students spend the rest of the year covering Theme 1 Identity and culture which covers the topics of: Me, my family and friends; Technology in everyday life; Free-time activities and Customs and festivals.

Key Stage 4: GCSE

Year 10

Students of Spanish, having completed Theme 1 they will now study Theme 2 of the curriculum which is Local, national, international and global areas of interest.

All students will look at topic specific vocabulary, with vocabulary revision still set as homework and tested in class, using the three tenses (at least) accurately and practicing their understanding of the language with more complex activities.

Year 11

In Spanish, students study the final theme of the GCSE curriculum – Theme 3: Current and future study and employment. This theme covers: My studies, Life at school/college; Education post-16; Jobs; career choices and ambitions.

Once there has been full coverage of the GCSE curriculum, revision of the GCSE content is the main feature of lesson time. Topic based revision is complemented by skill specific exercises.