Area of Learning and Experience: Languages
Area of Learning and Experience Leader: M. Jost
Vision for AoLE:
To provide learners with opportunities in Welsh and Spanish to develop their knowledge and skills in listening, reading, speaking, writing and literature. Also, to recognise the link between culture and language and to understand how this link is fundamental to our place and voice in a twenty first century multi-lingual society.
Curriculum Areas within the AoLE: Welsh and Spanish
Curriculum Information:
Welsh In KS3, pupils study a variety of topics such as ‘School, hobbies, daily routine and holidays. Having fun and retrieving key sentence patterns and vocabulary through a variety of tasks, including language games is a strong feature in KS3 lessons to enable pupils to progress and to ensure they have a strong foundation on which to build their language skills at KS4. Pupils complete tasks in skills such as listening, speaking, reading, writing and literature so that lessons are varied and challenging. Pupils also get the opportunity to participate and learn about important cultural and historical events in Wales, such as the Eisteddfod.
In KS4, pupils have the opportunity to build on their knowledge from KS3 and develop language learning skills to enable pupils to communicate and interact confidently and spontaneously. Pupils use a range of resources to cover the WJEC’s three broad themes – Wales and the World, Youth and Employment – and sub-themes such as technology, world of work, drinking alcohol and smoking. Language essentials, such as opinions, time phrases, connectives and idioms and a wide range of tenses are incorporated into each topic, ensuring pupils can use them fluently and adapt them to different contexts. Lessons and resources are carefully planned to cover the 4 main skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course at KS4 is a qualification which is both relevant and important for those wishing to continue with Welsh in further education and for seeking future employment.
Spanish In KS3, pupils follow the Viva! textbook and study Yo mismo ‘All about me’ – how to introduce themselves, age, birthday, family, pets. They learn the basics such as pronunciation, alphabet, numbers, colours and the idea of masculine and feminine to ensure they have a strong foundation on which to build their language skills. In Year 8, they progress on to Tiempo libre (Free time) and Mi colegio (my school), discussing their likes and dislikes and learning how to justify their opinions. Pupils complete tasks in all 5 main skills, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation, so that lessons are varied and challenging. Pupils also get the opportunity to learn about important cultural events in Spain, such as Navidad (Christmas), Semana Santa (Easter) and specific festivals such as San Fermin and Las Fallas and also complete a range of ICT-based, creative tasks.
At GCSE, pupils use a range of textbooks and resources to cover the WJEC’s three broad themes – Identity and Culture, Wales and the World and Study and Employment – and sub-themes such as technology and social media, entertainment and leisure, festival and celebrations, holidays and tourism and career plans. Language essentials, such as opinions, time phrases and a wide range of tenses are incorporated into each topic, ensuring pupils can use them fluently and adapt them in different situations. Lessons and resources are carefully planned to cover the 5 main skills, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation, and make sure pupils are challenged yet supported and are well prepared for their exams.
Qualifications Offered and Examination Boards:
- GCSE Welsh Second Language (WJEC)
- GCSE Spanish (WJEC)