| Faculty & Subject Leader: Mr M Hawkins |
Curriculum Intent
Preparing our students for life in Modern Britain and the Global Community is at the heart of our curriculum. Through expert teaching of Modern Foreign Languages, history, geography and RE, The Global Studies Faculty aims to teach an awareness of the rich cultural diversity of the world, preparing our students for the responsibilities, experiences and opportunities of adult life. Through the expert teaching of MFL, our students leave able to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people with learning a foreign language contributing to their ability to seek mutual understanding and their sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment.
Languages are a skill for life and we are extremely proud to offer students the opportunity to learn to understand and communicate in another language. Many our students go on to use these skills for leisure and employment in later life. By developing confidence and competence in a foreign language, our students also unlock their potential in a range important employability skills, becoming experts in communication and developing their confidence and their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
What will students study?
Spanish is taught to all students throughout their time at Madeley School. We aim to provide a firm, sympathetic and supportive environment for learning so that each pupil develops to the best of his/her ability in all skill areas (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
Please refer to the “Spanish Curriculum Plan” (link above) for more detailed information about our Y7-Y11 Spanish course.
We include an array of cultural information and events throughout the Key Stage 3 course. Extracurricular trips and events are also important to enhance classroom learning and the MFL department arranges trips abroad.
How will students be assessed?
Assessment of students’ work is of the following types:
- Ongoing through observation, interaction between teacher and student
- Student self-review and peer review
- Assessment of homework/class work
- End of unit assessment
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
Spanish
Teacher in Charge: Mr M Hawkins
What course do students follow?
AQA GCSE Spanish
Specification code: 8698
Why should students take a language?
- GCSE Languages can help some of you gain the English Baccalaureate and support progression into most higher education courses.
- Language learning can support career opportunities in an ever-increasing global job market, especially those that have an international dimension.
- A GCSE language course is ideal for students who have enjoyed their KS3 language classes.
- A GCSE language course will also benefit students who wish to improve their communication skills; become more independent and confident; and appreciate and understand important foreign cultures.
What and how will students study?
- The GCSE course focuses on practical communication in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing and builds on topics covered at Key Stage 3.
- In Listening and Reading, students will learn to understand and respond to information from announcements, conversations, adverts, letters, news items, instructions, notices, brochures, magazines, emails and websites.
- In Speaking, students will develop the skills of sustaining a conversation in answer to questions in which they must express opinions and reasons and describe situations.
- In Writing, students will develop the ability to use their chosen language creatively to produce a variety of types of writing, matching language to purpose, audience and context.
- There is also a strong emphasis on gaining an understanding of the wider world, including the lifestyles and cultures of other people in a variety of the countries where the language is spoken.
- To make sure you get a good result, you will need to complete homework on a regular basis. You will always need to learn new vocabulary and structures as part of your homework. In addition, you will be set Reading, Writing and Speaking assignments or be asked to practise what you have learnt on various websites that we use.
Details of Examination and Assessment
Students must be entered for all of the four skills at either Foundation or Higher level. Each exam is worth 25%.
Where can I find more information?
More information about the course can be found using the links below:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/spanish-8698
Assessment resources
Assessment resources can be found using the links below:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/spanish-8698/assessment-resources
Careers information
Careers information can be found using the links below.
https://successatschool.org/advicedetails/397/Careers-in-Languages-Where-Can-Languages-Take-You%3F
https://www.brightknowledge.org/modern-languages/what-can-i-do-in-the-uk-with-a-language-degree