Spanish

Subject Leader: Mrs Catherine Williamson - c.williamson@lavington.wilts.sch.uk

Curriculum Map

Year 9

What are we studying?

We start with the Year 9 Spanish accelerated beginners course, which provides a solid foundation in preparation for the GCSE course and covers the basics of the following:

• - good pronunciation
• - asking and answering simple questions about ourselves
• - giving justified opinions
• - understanding how adjectives and verbs behave
• - the present and near future tenses of common verbs

Students will find that much of this introductory part of the course builds on their previous study of French, which enables us to progress quickly.

We then begin the iViva! GCSE course, which consists of front of class package, audio files, video files and an online learning package.

Topics from the Viva course are selected to ensure that students finish year 9 with a bank of useful language that they can use in real situations in Spanish-speaking countries, for instance in a restaurant, or a pharmacy.

Students work towards being able to understand and use the past, present and future tenses. They learn to express their opinions on a wide range of modern and current topics and to understand other people’s points of view.

Students benefit from access to a range of authentic resources. Elements of Hispanic culture are explored and discussed throughout the year. There is an emphasis on understanding and celebrating differences within Hispanic countries and cultures. 

They develop a wide range of language learning techniques, which will aid them in learning across the curriculum and with any language they may choose or need to study in the future.

How are we assessed?

During the initial beginner’s course, students are assessed in all four skills, and receive a KS3 level, as well as effort grades.

Students complete vocabulary, spelling and grammar tests, and reading and listening tasks using their online Active Learn account, once they have begun the ‘iViva!’ GCSE course. The class teacher monitors the account.
As we move towards the GCSE, students complete reduced GCSE-style assessments. This includes one speaking or writing assessment as well as reading, listening, grammar and translation assessments, at the end of each topic. These assessments are completed in class, in test conditions.
Students are provided with a ‘Questions and Answers’ booklet, which they complete throughout the course. This is marked by the class teacher and is graded in terms of expected progress towards target, as either +, = or -.

How are we grouped?

Students are grouped, as far as possible, by language preference (Spanish or French). Depending on numbers choosing Spanish, students are either taught in one mixed ability group, or in two or three sets. Sets are decided using both Key Stage 2 data, CATs data and assessment results from Year 8. If it becomes clear that a student is in the wrong set for their ability and effort during the course, this may be adjusted.

What homework do we do?

• Students learn vocabulary and spellings every week. They are given a vocabulary sheet at the beginning of each new topic, which they can work from, and they are directed to study sets on quizlet.  It is much more effective to learn spellings and vocabulary for five minutes every day, rather than 30 minutes the night before the test. Learning in regular intervals dramatically improves the chance of the words being stored in the long term memory.

  Once the Viva course begins, all students are given a username and password for their Viva online learning account and they should log on at least once a week. (www.pearsonactivelearn.com)

  Students are also set homework activities consisting of reading, grammar practice, speaking practice and writing tasks. They do not normally receive more than one homework task per week, in addition to vocabulary learning. At the end of each topic, students need to learn and revise thoroughly for the end of topic assessments.

 What can parents do to help?

Review exercise book regularly. Discuss your child’s progress with them.

Provide access to a computer or tablet to enable students to complete their online learning at home. Ensure that students learn vocabulary at home for at least 5 minutes three times per week. Support them with making flash cards and/or using the ‘look, cover, write and check’ method to learn spellings, as well as exploring the range of online language learning resources that are available, for instance, quizlet, duolingo, memrise etc
Provide an “easy learning” bi-lingual dictionary and encourage your child to use it when completing written homework.

Direct students to vocabulary building and grammar practice websites such as www.quizlet.com and www.languagesonline.org.uk and of course the GCSE online learning platform for which they will have a username and password www.pearsonactivelearn.com.

Provide students with as much visual and audio stimulus as possible, for example, Spanish magazines, Spanish film, Spanish radio/TV and, if possible, a trip to Spain.

Years 10 and 11

What are we studying?

Students further develop their skills in understanding written and spoken Spanish and in actively using the language to speak and write.  They express and discuss their opinions on a wide range of current topics in Spanish.

They continue to develop a wide range of language learning techniques, which will aid them in learning across the curriculum and with any language they may choose or need to study in the future.

We follow the Viva series, which includes a pupil book, audio files and authentic Spanish videos. Students begin the GCSE course part way through Year 9, in which they cover Module 1 and a selection of topics from Module 6. Students begin year 10 with a grammar, pronunciation and language learning skills refresher course, and then go on to study the following modules:

Year 10       

Year 11

How are we assessed?

Students will sit four exams at the end of the two year course. The examination board is AQA. Candidates will be entered for writing, speaking, reading and listening examinations. Each is worth 25%.

There are two exam tiers, Foundation (grades 1-5) and Higher (grades 4- 9).

Students’ progress in all four skills is monitored and supported throughout the course.

At the end of each GCSE topic, students complete one speaking or writing assessment as well as reading and listening assessments,. These assessments are completed in class in test conditions. Assessments are marked using GCSE grade criteria and this is compared to students’ target grades to measure progress and performance.

How are we grouped?

Students are grouped according to ability where numbers are sufficient.

What home learning are we expected to do?

• Students complete writing and speaking preparation electronically and eventually in their ‘Questions and Answers’ booklets. Teachers will give feedback on this work and students must respond to this feedback, upgrade their work and practice answering and asking questions aloud.
• Students must revise and learn the vocabulary and grammar presented in class and will have learning activities, including vocabulary, grammar and speaking practice.
• All students will have a username and password for the AQA GCSE Studio online learning programme. www.pearsonactivelearn.com. This website should be visited at least once a week, to ensure that vocabulary is pre-learnt before each sub-topic comes up in class, and to consolidate learning through independent practice.

It is much more effective to learn spellings and vocabulary for five minutes every day, rather than 30 minutes the night before a test. Learning in regular intervals drastically improves the chance of the words being stored in the long-term memory and improves students’ overall GCSE grades in the final exams.

AQA GCSE revision workbooks can be purchased from school at a reduced cost, (free for students who receive Free School Meals). We expect students to complete between 1 hour and 1 hour and 30 minutes of home learning per week. 

What can parents do to help?

Discuss your child’s progress with them. Ensure that students learn vocabulary at home regularly and support them with making flash cards and learning spellings using the ‘look, cover, write and check’ technique.

• Candidates make extensive use of bilingual dictionaries throughout the course. It is very beneficial for them to have their own, as they are then familiar with the layout and can find words more easily. Parents could help by providing a dictionary – if possible an “easy learning” dictionary, which contains verb tables in the middle.
• Direct students to the following websites:

o pearsonactivelearn.com(students will all have their own log-in details.)

o languagesonline.org.uk– grammar explanations and practice

o wordreference.com– approved online dictionary

o quizlet.com – vocabulary learning and GCSE topic revision study sets

• Provide students with as much visual and audio stimulus as possible, for example Spanish magazines and films. We are hoping to offer all GCSE students the opportunity to visit Spain. This will be a residential visit for four nights and students will benefit from a well-organised Spanish immersion course.