SPANISH


What does learning SPANISH at GCSE involve?

Spanish GCSE will help you communicate with the millions of Spanish speakers around the world– which could help you in almost any career and open up opportunities at home and abroad. You will also develop the skills and knowledge needed to learn a wide range of other languages too.

Transferable skills are valued by employers, who want candidates with strengths that are vital in the workplace. Language GCSEs develop key skills, such as communication, ICT, problem-solving and working with others and will help you prepare for the world of work.

You will improve your skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing on different topic areas including mobile technology, sports, festivals and careers. You will learn about modern Spanish culture as well as improving your ability to speak and write in Spanish. You will learn lots of new words and how to use grammar correctly to help you communicate confidently. Learning a language helps you deepen your knowledge about how language works and enriches your vocabulary in English.


How will choosing a language at GCSE level improve my job prospects?

A language GCSE is a huge advantage in the workplace, not just for teachers or translators - language skills will prove useful for anything and everything, from fashion to sport, music and technology. You may not want to work abroad, but UK businesses need linguists and a little bit of knowledge of a second language will help you in careers from technology to customer service, and can even be helpful when looking for summer jobs, particularly in tourism. These days gap years are becoming ever more popular – close to seven in ten teenagers say they’d like to work abroad at some point.

GCSE French goes well with any other subject your are taking, from maths to music. Having a language along with another specialism can be very beneficial in later life. For example, the World Health Organisation demands that all its employees have proficiency in a second language.

How will I be assessed?

Students will follow the AQA GCSE course. Students will have exams in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing towards the end of Year 11 but will practise and improve their examination skills throughout the course. The speaking test will be conducted by the student’s own teacher at the end of the two years and is assessed by the exam board. Students will be able to sit examinations at either foundation or higher level.

Is there anything else I should consider and what are the career pathways?

  • Spanish counts towards the English Baccalaureate Qualification.

  • Learning Spanish makes it much easier to learn other languages later on and it is not uncommon for GCSE language students to learn more languages later on.

  • Having foreign language skills can improve job prospects and earning potential.

  • Languages are essential for some careers ( translation, interpreting and language teaching) and for other jobs a combination of languages and other qualifications, knowledge or skills may be needed. For example, people with languages plus IT, law, finance or sales skills are much sought-after.


For more information on this subject please speak to your Spanish teacher.