Spanish

All languages courses at Hampton Court House are delivered by teachers who embrace the idea that languages are the bedrock of the world’s cultural heritage.

Every language offers a rich and unique insight into different ways of thinking and living as well as into the history of the myriad of culture and peoples across the globe. At Hampton Court House, Spanish is taught by native teachers, with a methodical approach, based on accurate grammar and precise syntax that results in confident users of the language who can communicate effectively both, orally and in writing.

GCSE

Spanish is taught from Year 9 up to Year 11 by native speaker Rebeca Pernas.

Year 9 is an introductory course that provides a strong foundation of the language and prepares students to embrace the GCSE Spanish course. All students at Hampton Court House have the option to take the Spanish introductory course in Year 9, after studying French and Mandarin in the Middle Years, and then decide if they continue with the language up to GCSE.

In Year 10 and 11 students follow the Hampton Court House GCSE course. This is an ambitious course that prepares the students to face the GCSE demands and take the students beyond the syllabus. Although we follow the Edexcel GCSE Spanish course, resources are prepared by the Spanish Department in order to stretch the candidates and permit a smooth transition to A Level.

The GCSE course prepares the students on the four language skills of speaking, writing, listening and understanding and reading and responding while covering a range of relevant contemporary and cultural themes:

• Identity and culture
• Local area and travelling
• Education and school life
• Future aspirations and work
• International and global dimension

A Level

The Spanish A Level course is taught by native speaker Jose Alvarez. The course will enable students to engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts and films, developing an appreciation of sophisticated and creative uses of the language and understanding them within their cultural and social context. Students will also develop control of the language system to convey meaning, using spoken and written skills, including an extended range of vocabulary, for both practical and intellectual purposes. Moreover, students will develop as researchers.

A knowledge of Spanish facilitates diverse areas of employment as journalism, law, international business, finance, the civil service, translation, tourism and academia.