Spanish

In Spanish students will practise and learn a wide range of language skills, both in lessons and in homework with the aim of promoting the ability to communicate in written and spoken form.

As with the study of any foreign language, the aim is to promote intercultural understanding and empathy as well as the confidence to communicate in a language with almost 500 million speakers.

Curriculum

Students will undertake an intense programme of study with frequent lessons through a two-week timetable allowing for greater retrieval and practice. This follows a widely accepted view that language acquisition is best undertaken through an approach of, little and often. Although the sound system in Spanish is quite simple, there will be a heavy emphasis on correct phonics from the outset of the course. In addition, there will be a focus on learning and understanding vocabulary and grammar patterns such as tenses, gender, agreements and word order. In order for all of these aspects to fit and to be relevant there will be regular forays into the cultural hinterland in which the language exists; be it historical, artistic or political.

Spanish GCSE will formally begin in Year 9 with a parallel teaching of course content across the four papers with the exam technique particular to each component: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Students will continue to study Spanish into A level where they undertake in depth study of a range of cultural, historic, political and social issues across societies where there is an ever-present tension between the traditional and conservative against the more modern and radical. Language skills are developed to the extent that critical essays are written in Spanish and research findings are presented in spoken form.

The document linked below outlines how we have sequenced knowledge and skills in each academic year:

• Spanish Years 7-13 Curriculum Overview 2023-2024

Enrichment

Whist studying Spanish we believe it is vital that students have the opportunity to visit spain, if possible away from areas where there is a preponderance of tourism. To this end, we undertake a visit during Extended Learning Week. The last two have been to Valencia and we plan to be able to continue visits to Madrid, Segovia and Toledo each academic year.

Click here to read our MGS Extra Prospectus and find out what clubs are on offer.

Click here to access the KS3 and KS4 Spanish Super Curriculum.

Click here to access the KS5 Spanish Super Curriculum.

Careers

As a Facilitating Subject, a good Modern Language qualification is highly regarded and will enhance the possibilities of access to the best universities. Aside from language degrees per sé, there is an ever-expanding offer of degree course in which languages play a part in a combined honours course. Although many of these courses offer a language abinitio, the prior study of a language to a high level is a distinct advantage. The study of Modern Languages equips students for a wide variety of career paths aside from jobs in sectors where there is an explicit requirement, such as education, translation, interpreting and work in relevant government departments. Many students have gone on to work in the legal, financial and commercial sectors following studying a language at Maidstone Grammar School.

Career Ideas: Academic researcher, diplomatic service, EFL teacher, intelligence analyst, international aid/development worker, interpreter, political risk analyst, translator, teacher/lecturer, broadcast journalist, detective, education consultant, logistics/distribution management, marketing, Patent examiner, publishing, sales, tour manager and many more.

Click here to find out more about careers in Spanish.