GCSE Spanish

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world as well as a vital tool for business and commerce. Learning GCSE Spanish allows you to develop key language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking with accuracy and fluency. It lays the foundation for anyone wishing to continue with a modern European language at A level.

Ashbourne has a vibrant Language Faculty made up of experienced and enthusiastic teachers. You will quickly build confidence and fluency through immersive language teaching and a wide range of materials selected to suit students’ needs and interests. Moving on to A level Spanish is a natural progression and will set you up for a wide range of university courses including combined degrees with History, Law, Business, Management, Politics and Development Studies, for example.

Which syllabus do we follow?
Ashbourne follows the Edexcel specification for GCSE Spanish (higher tier)

Who teaches this course?
Alberto Lado Rey
MA Hispanic Studies, UCL; BA English Language Studies, University of Santiago de Compestela, Spain; Teachers Training Certificate, University of Santiago de Compestela, Spain

Alberto is Faculty Head of Languages at Ashbourne and has been teaching at the college since 2000. He has been an Edexcel examiner since 2004. Alberto specialises in Spanish and Latin American culture.

Susana Leon De Torres
BA Philology with English; Teacher training (University of Seville)

Susana has been teaching for many years with excellent results and loves to enrich her student’s learning experience through extracurricular cultural and language events including cinema, theatre and art.

She has plenty of experience working within in a modern foreign languages department and providing academic and pastoral support as a personal tutor.

The five themes covered in this course are:

• Identity and culture: explore a wide range of issues relating to Identity and culture in France and worldwide. How well do you get on with your parents? What makes a good friendship? What and how do you celebrate? How does social media affect your life? What’s the best football team in the European Championship?
• Local area, holiday and travel: Prepare yourself for a trip to the South of France: find your own accommodation, discover how to get about, where to go and what to see. Discuss your holiday preferences, experiences and places you would love to visit.
• School: get a taste of what school is like in France by examining the french education system and everyday school life.
• Future aspirations, study and work: explore the different lexicons for use in the workplace, meeting people and travel. You will discuss your plans and ambitions for future study and employment.
• International and global: debate topics of the day and develop your opinions and arguments on a wide variety of issues from sport and music to campaigning and the environment.

These themes are explored in the context of the four language skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing.