It is not generally known that Spanish is the 3rd most widely spoken language in the world and with the expansion of trade and commerce worldwide it is becoming increasingly important for people in a wide range of occupations to be able to use a foreign language – not to mention the increase in tourism to Spanish speaking destinations!

Here in the Spanish Department in Saint Peter’s, Spanish is taught as the main Foreign Language to either GCSE level or Entry Level. Our aims are as follows:

General Aims

• We aim to promote the general educational growth of pupils
  
• We aim to develop study skills which will enable the pupils to learn more effectively in all areas of study
  
• We aim to create the opportunity for all pupils to achieve examination/accredited success at 16 and beyond
  
• We aim to develop pupils' skills and ability to think
  
• We aim to increase pupils' social competence by developing personal and social skills, particularly in communication
  
• We aim to develop in pupils a positive understanding of, an interest in, and a respect and sympathy for the people of other nationalities and cultures.
  
• We aim to add a new dimension to the pupils' experience and to arouse their curiosity to know more of the outside world
  
• We aim to reinforce literacy skills
  
• We aim to develop and extend pupils' use of ICT in line with school policy.
  

Subject Specific Aims

• We aim to provide opportunities for all pupils to derive enjoyment from learning a foreign language
  
• We aim to enable pupils to develop an interest in languages generally so that should they want to learn another language at school or in later life, they can tackle this with confidence and enthusiasm
  
• We aim to develop proficiency in the 4 language skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) according to their capabilities. The pupils should learn the language as a living thing which allows people of different countries to communicate with one another
  
• We aim to teach the pupils something of Spain and its people
  
• We aim to create a climate of encouragement, praise and success so as to foster self-esteem

Assessment

At the end of each unit of work there are assessment activities.

Towards the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9) every pupil is given a Teacher Assessed National Curriculum Level

At the end of Key Stage 4 (Year 11) pupils sit the GCSE Examination.

There are 4 parts to this Examination: Listening and responding at Foundation or Higher Level;
Reading and responding at Foundation or Higher Level; Speaking at Foundation or Higher Level; Writing.

The Writing is not a formal examination because the pupils have to produce 3 pieces of work over the course of
Year 11 – only one of which has to be done ‘under controlled conditions’