Modern Languages
Spanish
Welcome To The
Spanish Department
INTRODUCTION
At St Louis, we believe that being able to speak another language and understanding different cultures are essential skills for the modern world. Our Spanish department offers a vibrant curriculum designed to give students both fluent communication skills and a deep appreciation of Hispanic life. From Year 10 through to Sixth Form, we provide a range of qualifications that will prepare our students for the global marketplace, university, and international travel.
MEET THE STAFF
Mrs C Downey – Teacher in Charge of Spanish
Miss K Smith
Mrs S Gibney
KEY STAGE 3
Our junior curriculum is all about building confidence and global awareness. Lessons are immersive and interactive, allowing pupils to:
● Speak with confidence in real-life social and conversational settings.
● Work together on role-plays and group projects.
● Get creative by designing showcases about Hispanic traditions and landmarks.
● Use technology to sharpen their grammar and vocabulary.
● Explore culture through Spanish music, film, and short stories.
KEY STAGE 4
We offer different qualifications to make sure every student can play to their strengths.
OCN NI Spanish (Gold / Green Pathway)
This is a practical course focused on the communication skills needed for the workplace.
● Assessment: 100% Coursework.
● Why choose it? It is perfect for students who want to show what they can do through real-world tasks rather than formal exams.
CCEA GCSE Spanish (Green / Purple Pathway)
This course develops your ability to talk and write in authentic Spanish contexts while exploring the geography and culture of Spain and Latin America.
● Assessment: Four exams, each worth 25% of the total grade: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The specification is linear, meaning you will sit all your exams at the end of the course, with a choice between Foundation and Higher tiers for each unit.
● Themes: You will study topics ranging across three key themes: Identity, Lifestyle, and Culture; Local, National, International, and Global Areas of Interest; and School Life, Studies, and the World of Work.
Unit Breakdown
Each of the four units is equally weighted, contributing 25% of the final grade:
● Unit 1: Listening
o Format: External written exam with stimuli recorded by native speakers.
o Structure: Includes a variety of question types in English and Spanish, such as multiplechoice and short-answer questions.
● Unit 2: Speaking
o Format: Internal examination (conducted by the class teacher) and externally moderated.
o Structure: Includes two role-plays and a general conversation covering different specification themes.
● Unit 3: Reading
o Format: External written exam.
o Structure: Features authentic texts (emails, articles, etc.) with questions in both English and Spanish, plus a short translation from Spanish into English.
● Unit 4: Writing
o Format: External written exam.
o Structure: Requires short and extended writing tasks, along with a translation from English into Spanish.
KEY STAGE 5
At Sixth Form, we offer CCEA A Level Spanish.
A Level Spanish
Our CCEA A Level course bridges the gap between school and university. You will move beyond basic conversation to debate social issues and study famous Spanish films and literature and films. The qualification is split into AS (40%) and A2 (60%), testing your ability to argue, translate, and research independently.
Unit Breakdown
The exam is divided into AS units (usually taken in Year 13) and A2 units (usually taken in Year 14):
AS Level (40% of total A Level)
● AS 1: Speaking – A presentation on a prepared topic followed by a general conversation.
● AS 2: Listening, Reading, and Use of Language – Comprehension tasks, translation and a series of short grammatical exercises.
● AS 3: Extended Writing – One critical essay written in Spanish about a film you have studied (e.g. Solas).
A2 Level (60% of total A Level)
● A2 1: Speaking – An introduction and discussion based on an individual research project, followed by a general conversation.
● A2 2: Listening and Reading – Advanced comprehension tasks, summary, including a translation of a passage from English into Spanish.
● A2 3: Extended Writing – One critical essay written in Spanish about a literary text you have studied (e.g. La casa de Bernarda Alba).
WHY STUDY SPANISH?
Choosing to study Spanish opens doors to a world of over 500 million speakers and a rich variety of career paths and this is why this subject is a fantastic choice for your GCSEs and beyond. In the modern world, being able to speak another language and understanding different cultures is a massive advantage. Our Spanish curriculum at St Louis is designed to be vibrant and immersive, ensuring you develop fluent communication skills while exploring the traditions and landmarks of Hispanic countries. Whether you are interested in international travel, the global marketplace, or further education, Spanish provides the foundation you need to succeed.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE CLASSROOM
Our department focuses on making language learning active and relevant. Depending on the level of study, you will:
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Speak with Confidence: Learn to communicate effectively in authentic social and conversational settings.
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Work Together: Collaborate with your classmates through interactive role-plays and group projects.
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Use Modern Tools: Sharpen your grammar and vocabulary using digital learning tools and interactive media.
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Explore Culture: Engage with Spanish-language films, music, and literature to understand the world from a new perspective.
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Prepare for the Future: Develop a sense of global responsibility and the skills needed to navigate diverse cultures with empathy.
WHERE CAN SPANISH TAKE YOU?
Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world and having it on your CV opens doors that other subjects simply can't. It shows employers that you are a great communicator, culturally aware, and capable of learning complex skills.
Here are just a few areas where Spanish is a major asset:
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Business & Finance: With Spanish being a primary language in global trade, companies value staff who can negotiate and build relationships with Hispanic markets.
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Travel & Tourism: From working for international airlines to managing luxury resorts in Spain or Latin America, your language skills are your passport to the world.
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Media & Creative Industries: Whether it's journalism, film production, or digital marketing, understanding Hispanic culture allows you to create content for a massive global audience.
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Law & Public Service: International law firms, NGOs, and government agencies (like the Foreign Office) actively recruit linguists to help navigate international relations.
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Education & Translation: You could inspire the next generation as a teacher or work as a specialist translator or interpreter at international events.
KEY SKILLS YOU'LL GAIN
Beyond the language itself, our courses help you develop a "global responsibility" mindset. You will learn to:
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Analyse and Debate: Move beyond basic conversation to argue points and discuss complex social issues.
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Research Independently: Particularly at A Level, you will lead your own research projects on topics that fascinate you.
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Cultural Intelligence: Understand the "why" behind different traditions and viewpoints, a skill highly sought after in the modern workforce.