OVERVIEW SPANISH

KS3 Spanish

 

Members of the Department

Ms Brigid Fahy– Head of Department

Mrs Kelly Fegan – Teacher

José Luna – Language Assistant

Introduction

Almost half of all UK and Irish businesses say they want people specifically for their language skills, and they recognise that not having such employees means they are losing out!

The study of Spanish in Loreto is not only useful for later life, but also enjoyable and stimulating.

Studying a foreign language such as Spanish also develops a range of study skills useful across the curriculum, including memory training, listening and reading comprehension, accuracy in writing and spelling, applying concepts, and identifying patterns.

Spanish is introduced to the student body in Year 8. It is delivered to all class groups on two periods per week. From Day 1 there is a strong emphasis on the features of Spanish pronunciation, accents, and intonation, allowing pupils to quickly feel confident enough to speak and read aloud.

Did you know that because Spanish is very nearly phonetically perfect, once you know the basics, you can look at almost any word and immediately know exactly how to pronounce it!

Aims:

  • Promoting the enjoyment of studying Spanish for ALL pupils
  • Providing intellectual stimulation and challenge
  • Encouraging positive attitudes to foreign languages and to speakers of foreign languages
  • Encouraging pupils to see the importance and relevance of languages in the working world
  • Collaborating with other departments where possible and advantageous so that we give a ‘Connected Learning’ experience to our pupils
  • Raising pupils’ self esteem, self belief and expectations of themselves
  • Introducing all pupils in Loreto to the culture of the Spanish speaking world, thus opening their minds and helping them see themselves as “global citizens”
  • Giving all pupils a level of fluency that will help them all in their future employability and travel.
  • Giving interested pupils a foundation on which to build,  should they decide to continue with Spanish at GCSE…… and beyond!

With some 500 million speakers, Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world. Only Mandarin, English and Hindi have more speakers.

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