Spanish Department
Curriculum
Pupils at The Abbey School begin learning Spanish from Year 8 (LIV) onwards. It is very popular and is one of the options available at GCSE. We have a team of enthusiastic and well qualified teachers, two of whom are native speakers.
Academic facilities, to help us deliver the curriculum and enrich our teaching and learning techniques, are excellent. All language rooms are fitted with very good sound systems and interactive white boards. We are also fortunate to have a newly fitted Multi Media laboratory, which incorporates audio, video and computer stations with language acquisition and consolidation software. We also have the support of a technician; we feel very excited at the wide range of possibilities that this technology can afford all linguists, both inside and outside lesson time.
GCSE
We prepare our pupils for the OCR GCSE examination. The syllabus comprises four papers which test the following skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The Speaking test is conducted internally but assessed externally by the OCR Examination Board. There is no coursework.
AS/A2
At 16+ the Spanish Department offers AS and A2 courses that follow the syllabus provided by OCR. The Sixth Form Curriculum in all schools is changing from September 2008. Virtually all subjects will be affected by a reduction in the number of units studied and in the case of Spanish both AS and A2 will consist of two units respectively.
The topics studied for AS level include aspect of daily life, leisure and entertainment, communication and the media, education and training. For A2 topics include society, the environment, science and technology, culture.
Combining Spanish with other subjects:
Students who study Spanish at AS or A2 level will find that Latin, English, History or another foreign language are subjects which will help and extend their knowledge of European affairs, while a combination with Economics, Mathematics or Geography can also provide an attractive balance of disciplines. The study of Spanish will complement and enhance career prospects of almost every combination of subjects.
Careers
With current economic and political trends, pupils taking AS or A2 Spanish have a wide selection of careers from which to choose. The majority of linguists take up careers in industry, law and politics, banking and insurance where their communication skills are highly sought, though some may prefer to work in translating, interpreting, the Foreign and Civil services or teaching.
In the Sixth form particularly, pupils are expected to undertake private study and research, to help prepare for their chosen oral topics. They are encouraged, both at school and home, to use the supply of Spanish articles and weekly newspaper in the Library or those available on the internet. The internet is a very valuable tool for the preparation of their oral topics; it allows them to scan the Spanish newspapers on a daily basis as their chosen topics need to be informed on current issues.
All Hispanists are encouraged and are expected to visit Spain or a Spanish speaking country for an extended stay during the Easter holiday of the first year of their A-Level course. See Trips below.
IB
In addition to AS and A2 examinations the Abbey School, from September 2008, will introduce the International Baccalaureate, which the Spanish department, with others, will offer.
