What is Spanish?
General introduction to the subject:
‘Aprender un segundo idioma te abre más puertas que un millón de llaves’ – ‘Learning a second language will open more doors than a million keys’.
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese and is spoken by around 550 million people. It is the official language in 21 different countries.To learn Spanish will create job opportunities not only in Spain but in the other Spanish speaking countries as well, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Learning Spanish helps learners gain knowledge of language and culture that are key to the development of linguistic and intercultural competences. Foreign Languages are key to mobility and employability within today’s multilingual society. Learning an additional foreign language enhances learners’ plurilingual competences that are highly beneficial within the job market.
Topics studied:
• Greetings
• Myself and others
• Leisure, hobbies and interests
• Time and calendar
• Places (My immediate environment)
• Environmental awareness
• Travel
• Food and drink
• Healthy living/ lifestyle
• Use of Media and Technology
• Shops and shopping
• Work and Job related matters
The foreign language program helps learners develop language competences in the four skills (speaking, writing, reading, and listening).
Class activities involved:
Activities are aimed at developing both receptive and productive skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Activities help learners to develop proficiency in all four skills. They furthermore foster the development of cultural and intercultural competences. Audio-visual, interactive and digital materials are used for these activities.
Homework assigned:
Learners are encouraged to gain knowledge about the language and to use the language through work conducted during in- and out-of-class tasks. Tasks address both productive and receptive skills. Reading and listening tasks serve as input for further learning as well as for the development of these specific skills. Other tasks are aimed at the development of cultural and intercultural competences. Examples of tasks include: writing tasks, listening and reading comprehensions and project work (e.g. oral presentations, collaborative tasks that integrate the four skills/ that address specific skills).
Assessment given:
• Equal assessment of the four skills based on continuous summative and formative assessment tasks.
• Tasks address areas that learners are working on to reach the level (formative assessment tasks,
self-assessment tasks)
Skills acquired while studying the subject:
• Reading, Listening, Speaking and Listening
• An open attitude to the Culture of the Target Language; individual and work in collaboration with others
• Lifelong learning skills related to foreign language learning to help learners become independent language learners
• Plurilingual language skills
• Skills related to the use of technology for language learning
Skills required to study the subject:
Language skills acquired while learning other languages at school will help the learner to develop the competences required in the four language skills.
• Reading and Listening skills to learn more about the language and gain the input required
• Ability to use different media, dictionaries etc. to continue learning beyond classroom time
This subject can lead you to the following Career Paths:
Interpretor/Translator
Teacher
Tourist Information Agent
Diplomatic service officer
Cabin Crew
Tourist Guide
Front Office and Guest Relations Manager
Linguist
Note: Knowledge of languages is an asset in the employment sector.