Spanish

Introduction

Across S1 and S2 students will have two blocks of Spanish learning. In S1 this will focus on personal information: name, age, nationality, where you live, family, etc. In S2, students will learn about food and drink, clothes and colours and the festival of ‘Día de los Muertos’ through a study of Mexico and its culture. Through these topics, students will develop their skills in listening, reading, talking and writing.

S3 + S4 – Level 4 and National 4 / 5

Students will develop their skills in Spanish through learning across topics from 4 learning contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. Topics include: family, friends and relationships, friendship, free time, healthy lifestyles, media, where you live, environment, learning at school, part time jobs, work experience, holidays. Learners will reflect, communicate and develop ideas through language, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of other cultures and their own.

Senior Phase

Higher

Students will develop their skills in Spanish through learning across topics from 4 learning contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. Topics include: family structures, relationships and conflict, healthy living, unhealthy lifestyles, learning languages, global citizenship, going to university, future plans, women in the world of work, taking a gap year, travel, stereotypes & racism, cultures & traditions. Students will use different media effectively for learning and communication; and to develop a deeper understanding of how language works

Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher takes the development of intellectual maturity, critical awareness and sound knowledge and use of language a stage further from Higher. The course continues the progression in understanding, experience and use of language. Students will explore contemporary issues and see how their lives compare with their Spanish speaking peers. The Specialist Study introduces them to an in-depth study of literature in the target language. A greater demand made on the students’ time outside the classroom and at home. Ongoing work on the preparation of the Specialist Study, the learning of vocabulary and structures, and the regular and thorough revision of class work is expected, alongside the submission of one or more pieces of written work per week.

Staff

Mrs. S. Thomson, Faculty Head, French, Spanish

Mrs. L. Brinkworth, Spanish, French

Mr. G. Miller, Spanish, French

Curriculum

Broad General Education

Across S1 and S2 students will have two blocks of Spanish learning. In S1 this will focus on personal information: name, age, nationality, where you live, family, etc. In S2, students will learn about food and drink, clothes and colours and the festival of ‘Día de los Muertos’ through a study of Mexico and its culture. Through these topics, students will develop their skills in listening, reading, talking and writing.

S3 + S4 – Level 4 and National 4 / 5

Students will develop their skills in Spanish through learning across topics from 4 learning contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. Topics include: family, friends and relationships, friendship, free time, healthy lifestyles, media, where you live, environment, learning at school, part time jobs, work experience, holidays. Learners will reflect, communicate and develop ideas through language, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of other cultures and their own.

Higher

Students will develop their skills in Spanish through learning across topics from 4 learning contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. Topics include: family structures, relationships and conflict, healthy living, unhealthy lifestyles, learning languages, global citizenship, going to university, future plans, women in the world of work, taking a gap year, travel, stereotypes & racism, cultures & traditions. Students will use different media effectively for learning and communication; and to develop a deeper understanding of how language works

Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher takes the development of intellectual maturity, critical awareness and sound knowledge and use of language a stage further from Higher. The course continues the progression in understanding, experience and use of language. Students will explore contemporary issues and see how their lives compare with their Spanish speaking peers. The Specialist Study introduces them to an in-depth study of literature in the target language. A greater demand made on the students’ time outside the classroom and at home. Ongoing work on the preparation of the Specialist Study, the learning of vocabulary and structures, and the regular and thorough revision of class work is expected, alongside the submission of one or more pieces of written work per week.

Learning Experiences

Studying a modern language helps develop good oral and written communication skills and will enable you to gather, assess and interpret information effectively whilst developing problem-solving skills.  You will enjoy developing your listening, talking, reading and writing skills through a variety of stimulating collaborative learning experiences including the use of ICT and games.

You will develop your curiosity of different cultures, lifestyles and languages and analyse, adapt and make sense of a wide variety of resources.

Life and Work

Many young people choose to learn more than one language at school.  This may seem like a daunting challenge, however learning in one modern language will help you to progress quicker in the learning of another. Once you have developed the skills in ‘how’ to learn a language, these skills are highly transferable to others.

If you are thinking on continuing your education after school, then having a qualification in a language can give you a competitive edge in your college or university application.  Firstly, some courses are now looking for a pass in a foreign language to gain entry in other studies unrelated to languages!   Secondly, many colleges and universities offer languages modules as part of your studies in other areas.  Examples of such courses include International Business and Modern Languages, Engineering with French, Law and Spanish.  If you do study a language as part of your degree you can also spend time studying abroad in Europe or further afield.  Learning a language alongside another passion can be your passport to one of the best years of your adult life!

If the world of work is where you are headed after school, then it is worth noting that even a National 5 pass in a language can make you a very attractive prospect to potential employers.  The study of a language shows employers that you have developed a wide range of skills for employment.  Studying a language strengthens your written and oral communication, boosts your organisational skills, improves your ability to analyse information and can even help your ability to contribute to discussions.  Not to mention that learning languages can improve your understanding of other countries and cultures in an increasingly global world.

Resources

Vocabulary booklets and useful classroom resources will be posted regularly on Google classroom. S1+2 information will be posted on relevant ML Google classrooms and S3-S6 will be posted on individual Spanish Google classrooms.

 

Linguascope: an online learning platform providing interactive games and learning materials for students.

https://www.linguascope.com    

Bright Red Digital Zone: resources to support National and Higher French learners, including listening material.

https://www.brightredbooks.net/n5

https://www.brightredbooks.net/higher

BBC Bitesize: resources to support National 5 and Higher learners, including listening material.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z6gw2hv

SCHOLAR: resources to support National 5 and Higher learners, including listening material.

https://scholar.hw.ac.uk/

SQA past papers   https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45775.html