The Spanish Department is part of the Modern Languages Department, situated in the Library block. Spanish is a thriving subject and a popular choice for pupils whether they are taking the course at GCSE level or at a more advanced level through the IB Diploma Programme or at A level.
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world and is also a significant language for international communication. It is the world’s most widely spoken Romance language and is excellent for developing critical thinking skills. Languages are a “facilitating” subject, meaning that they will help you whatever career path you take, and in the job market it is now widely accepted that languages give you an added advantage in all fields of work. The Spanish Department at Gresham’s is composed of a team of experienced teachers who are genuinely enthusiastic about the formation and complex nuances of the Spanish language.
We study the details of how the language is formed and spoken, in addition to putting this information into a relevant context through learning about both Spain and the Spanish Speaking World.
We strive to provide a challenging and stimulating atmosphere in the classroom where each individual can achieve their potential, and as well as aiming for academic success, we endeavour to ensure that pupils enjoy their study of Spanish and that they are highly motivated.
- GCSE SPANISH
Exam board: AQA GCSE (Higher or Foundation)
GCSE Spanish is an ideal option for those pupils who have studied the language in Year 9 and who feel confident enough to perform well at GCSE standard.
It is suitable for both those who began studying Spanish in Year 9 who have undergone a fast track course and those who started prior to joining in Year 9.
The course aims to develop practical communication skills in the four components of speaking, listening, reading and writing, with the overall goal of improving fluency and understanding in the language and promoting an awareness of Spanish and Latin American Culture and Customs. There is also an emphasis on translation from Spanish to English and vice versa as well as dictation and reading aloud now incorporated, which will enhance pupils’ overall literacy which has a very positive impact on other curriculum areas too.
Full use is made of the Spanish language assistant to help pupils develop their spoken proficiency.
The AQA course is divided into three themes and the following topics are covered:
Theme 1 – People and Lifestyle
- Identity and relationships with others
- Healthy living and lifestyle
- Education and Work
Theme 2 – Popular Culture
- Free time activities
- Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Celebrity culture
Theme 3 – Communications and the world around us
- Travel and tourism, including places of interest
- Media and technology
- The environment and where people live
Assessment:
Exam = 25% speaking; 25% listening skills; 25% reading skills and 25% writing skills.
- A LEVEL SPANISH
Entry requirements: Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish or equivalent.
Exam board: Edexcel
It is impossible to list all the jobs that studying Spanish facilitates. The ability to communicate fluently is a vital skill in almost all areas of professional life. Language specific jobs such as teaching, translation, diplomacy, foreign affairs, journalism, publishing, advertising, the civil service, and tourism spring immediately to mind and a language is obviously highly desirable in the business, economic and commercial world with the internationalisation/globalisation of many companies. Speaking Spanish would also enable you to work abroad, providing more possibilities and options in the currently very competitive job market and its importance and continued growth is undeniable.
Pupils have individual weekly sessions with the Foreign Language Assistant in order to work on their spoken fluency and to develop their communication skills further.
The themes of the A level course are:
- The Evolution of Spanish Society
- Political and artistic Culture in the Spanish Speaking World
- Immigration and Multiculturalism
- Dictatorship and the transition to Democracy
The A level Spanish course is assessed at the end of the two-year linear course and is separated into the following components:
Spanish Component 1
Listening, Reading and Translation. 2 hours, EDEXCEL, 40%- Section A: A listening assessment based on a recording. Pupils will respond to comprehension questions based on a variety of contexts and sources.
- Section B: A reading assessment based on a variety of text types and genres.
- Section C: An unseen passage to be translated from Spanish to English.
Spanish Component 2
Written response to works and translation, 2 hours 40 minutes, EDEXCEL, 30%- Section A: Pupils translate an unseen passage from English into Spanish.
- Section B: Pupils write an extended response on either one or two of the literary texts listed.
- Section C: Pupils who only answer one question from Section B must write an extended response on one of the films listed.
Spanish Component 3
Oral examination internally conducted and externally assessed, 21-23 mins with 5 minutes preparation time, 30%.- Task 1 – Discussion on a Theme
- Task 2, Part 1 – Independent Research Project. Pupils present a summary of at least 2 written sources they have used.
- Task 2, Part 2 – Discussion on Project
- IB SPANISH AB INITIO
Entry requirements: No previous knowledge of the language is required but you must have studied another language at GCSE.
This course meets the needs of pupils who are interested in learning a new language as part of the IB Diploma.
The five themes of the IB course are:
- Identities
- Experiences
- Human Ingenuity
- Social Organisation
- Sharing the planet
Assessment:
- Internal Assessment: Oral Component 25% 7-10 minutes plus 15 mins of formal preparation time.
- External Assessment: Productive Skills 25% Paper 1: Writing (1 hour)
- External Assessment: Receptive Skills 50% Paper 2: Reading ( 1 hour) Listening (45 mins).
- IB SPANISH A: LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Entry requirements: Native Speaker: Spanish as a first language
Universities offer a range of Spanish Language and Spanish Literature courses as well as combined Language and Literature courses. As the degree is non-vocational it can be transferred to a range of careers, most typically media, journalism, publishing, advertising, marketing, law, public sector, human resources, business and finance, public relations, social work, teaching, academia, tourism and events management.
This course allows pupils to experience a wide range of literary and non-literary texts, covering at least six different text types, from around the world, including some not originally written in Spanish. You will be given opportunities to consider a wide range of different reading perspectives in relation to a diverse range of international texts.
Standard Level pupils study four literary works, including two in translation, covering two major literary genres, two periods and two places.
In addition to studying these literary texts, pupils will also study a wide range of non-literary and media texts of an amount comparable to the number of literary texts in the Spanish A: Literature course.
The three areas of exploration are:
- Readers, Writers and Texts looks at the nature of texts and the relationships formed between all three;
- Time and Space looks at the various contexts of literary, linguistic and media production and reception;
- Intertextuality aims to connect diverse texts, tradition, creators and ideas.
EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Standard Level
Paper 1 (35%): The paper consists of two unseen non-literary passages, from two different text types, each accompanied by a question. Pupils choose one passage and write an analysis of it.Paper 2 (35%): The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question, pupils write a comparative essay based on two literary works studied in the course.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Standard Level
Individual Oral (30%): This component is internally assessed and externally moderated by the IB.
Supported by an extract from one work written originally in the language studied and one from a work studied in translation, pupils will offer a prepared response of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions by the teacher, to a prompt which asks pupils to examine a text for the ways in which a global issue is presented within it.
- IB SPANISH B
Entry requirements: Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish or equivalent
It is impossible to list all the jobs that studying Spanish facilitates. The ability to communicate fluently is a vital skill in almost all areas of professional life. Language specific jobs such as teaching, translation, diplomacy, foreign affairs, journalism, publishing, advertising, the civil service, and tourism spring immediately to mind and a language is obviously highly desirable in the business, economic and commercial world with the internationalisation/globalisation of many companies. Speaking Spanish would also enable you to work abroad, providing more possibilities and options in the currently very competitive job market and its importance and continued growth is undeniable.
Studying Spanish for the IB Diploma gives you access to a range of university courses. It pairs well with many other subjects, whether you choose to study it as your main or joint degree and often includes the opportunity to spend part of your studies abroad. Studying Spanish not only enables you to develop your analytical skills and linguistic accuracy but also enables pupils to express themselves in a persuasive manner.
Pupils have individual weekly sessions with the Foreign Language Assistant in order to work on their spoken fluency and to develop their communication skills further.
The five themes of the IB course are:
- Identities
- Experiences
- Human Ingenuity
- Social Organisation
- Sharing the planet
Assessment:
The course is examined at the end of the 2-year linear course and consists of 70% External Assessment and 30% Internal Assessment.
- External Assessment: Paper 1, Productive Skills (1hr 15mins Standard Level, 1hr 30 Higher Level, 25%)
- External Assessment: Paper 2, Receptive Skills (1hr, 45mins Standard Level, 2 hrs Higher Level, 50%)
- Internal Assessment: Oral, 12-15mins, (plus 15 mins formal preparation time at Standard Level and 20 mins at Higher 25%), which is based on a visual stimulus at Standard Level and an extract from a literary work at Higher Level.