LANGUAGES

Welcome to the Somervale School Languages Department

Spanish

Hello and welcome to the Spanish learning journey at Somervale School. I'm excited to guide you through what your children will experience in their Spanish studies. If you'd like a closer look, there’s a link above to the full learning journey.

In Year 7, we focus on establishing foundational skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will learn essential vocabulary and grammar while developing phonics skills. In the Autumn Term, we’ll introduce the verbs ser and estar, as well as tener, allowing students to describe places, people, and their possessions. We'll also cover numbers. In the Spring Term, students will learn to describe locations and family members. We’ll continue practicing ser and estar and introduce the verb hacer (to do). They'll also begin forming questions. In the Summer Term, we will delve into more complex grammar, such as modal verbs (must, can, want), and describe free-time activities using time phrases.

In Year 8, the journey continues in the Autumn Term when we learn to compare people and places at home and school, introducing the past tense for describing past events. In the Spring Term students will describe their feelings and reasons, enhancing their phrase depth while exploring Latin American culture. The past tense will also be used to discuss daily routines. In the Summer Term, we will introduce future tense to describe intentions and explore weather, celebrity culture, and traditions.

Year 9 is where students refine their knowledge and apply various Spanish grammar aspects. In the Autumn Term, we'll focus on reflexive pronouns and explore Mexican culture. In the Spring Term, we’ll revisit key grammar from earlier years, such as the future tense, while discussing sports, hobbies, and healthy living. Environmental topics will also be introduced. By the end of Year 9, students should be able to use three tenses and may begin learning the imperfect tense, alongside preparation for the new GCSE.

In Year 10, we start the GCSE coursework following the AQA syllabus. The course builds on the skills developed in Key Stage 3, providing a thorough and comprehensive foundation.

Year 11 continues with GCSE themes and includes mock exams and preparation for the real exams, including the speaking component.

Post-GCSE Options: A-level Spanish is available in the sixth form, and we encourage students to consider this option as they progress through Key Stage 4. Many students continue their language studies at A-level, which is an excellent pathway for those interested in pursuing languages further.

We look forward to supporting your children on this exciting Spanish learning journey! 

French

In Key Stage 3, students in the top 2 classes will embark on an exciting journey to learn French alongside Spanish, covering a range of topics and essential language skills.

The Year 7 curriculum focuses on foundational skills. Students will learn to introduce themselves, use numbers 1 to 31 for discussing dates and birthdays, and explore vocabulary related to school, hobbies, families, pets, and daily life. In the spring term, the focus shifts to grammar, introducing key verbs such as "être" (to be), "avoir" (to have), and "faire" (to do). These verbs will help students describe people and express likes and dislikes. By the summer term, students will expand their vocabulary to describe activities and learn about possessive adjectives (his, her, my) while concentrating on -ER verbs.

The Year 8 curriculum builds on previous knowledge. Students will continue with home learning and introduce additional verbs, such as "aller" (to go), enhancing their ability to ask questions and describe ongoing actions. They will also learn about the future tense, discussing intentions and using modal verbs. Topics will include the world of work and traditional celebrations. In the summer term, students will learn to recount past experiences and discuss free time activities using the past tense.

In Year 9, students will refine their skills, exploring daily life in both formal and informal contexts. They will use past, present, and future tenses to discuss school and compare various aspects of life. The curriculum includes an introduction to environmental issues and cultural events, such as the Kite Flying Festival in Dieppe and the history of Bastille Day. Students will also be introduced to the imperfect tense and begin preparing for the GCSE.

For those opting for GCSE, Year 10 will follow the new curriculum, which includes key themes like identity, relationships, healthy living, education, and celebrity culture. This year marks the transition to a new specification.

In Year 11, students will continue with their preparation for GCSE exams, including a speaking assessment prior to the main exam season. Practice exams will also help them gauge their readiness.

A-Level French is also available for those interested in continuing their studies in the sixth form, and the school encourages Year 11 students to consider this option in order to progress further in their Languages journey. 

Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions about our Languages curriculum, please feel free to contact me at obatten@somervaleschool.com.