Spanish IGCSE is based on the study of topics that are exploited for their linguistic and cultural content. As part of the learning process, students are presented with the key vocabulary and the relevant grammar to ensure success at this level. The overall aim is to enable the learner to achieve confidence, fluency and competence in using the language. The subject content is organised around five broad Topic areas which provide contexts for the acquisition of vocabulary and the study of grammar and structures. Through the study of these Topic areas, candidates gain insight into target language countries and communities. The Topic areas are:
• Everyday activities
• Personal and social life
• The world around us
• The world of work
• The international world
Students will be required to show knowledge and understanding of the five Topic areas listed above. These provide contexts for the acquisition of vocabulary and the study of grammar and structures. Through the study of these Topic areas, students gain insight into target language countries and communities.
A Everyday activities
• Time expressions (e.g. telling the time, days, days of the week, months, seasons)
• Food and drink (e.g. meals, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and seafood, snacks, drinks, cutlery and utensils)
• The human body and health (e.g. parts of the body, health and illness)
• Travel and transport
B Personal and social life
• Self, family and friends
• In the home (e.g. rooms, living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, furniture and furnishings, garden, household appliances)
• Colours
• Clothes and accessories
• Leisure time (e.g. things to do, hobbies, sport)
C The world around us
• People and places (e.g. continents, countries and nationalities, compass points)
• The natural world, the environment, the climate and the weather
• Communications and technology (e.g. the digital world, documents and texts)
• The built environment (e.g. buildings and services, urban areas, shopping)
• Measurements (e.g. size, shape)
• Materials
D The world of work
• Education (e.g. learning institutions, education and training, the classroom, learning tools, subjects, studying)
• Work (e.g. jobs and careers, the workplace)
E The international world
• Countries, nationalities and languages
• Culture, customs, faiths and celebrations
At the end of the two-year programme, students are assessed externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject.
Due to the greater degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of assessment for each subject. The final IGCSE examinations will take place during May/June but students will be required to sit Mock exams in preparation for the final examinations during January/February. The grading system is on an eight-point scale A* – G. IGCSE is the world’s most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to globally recognised IGCSE qualifications. In many countries, IGCSE courses are widely used as a preparation for AS/A Level, IB Diploma Programme and US Advanced Placement courses.
The Spanish IGCSE programme at Park Lane begin in Year 10 and is completed in the summer term of Year 11. However, some students may begin the IGCSE course in Year 9 and sit the IGCSE examinations in Term 3 of Year 10. These students will then follow the A2/B1 DELE course in Year 11 to further extend and prepare them for the IB Diploma Programme.
We offer the IB (International Baccalaureate) Programme in Year 12 and 13 for Spanish ab initio and Spanish B courses. The Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year programme of international education for students aged 16 to 19 years. The IB Diploma Programme prepares students for university and encourages them to:
• Ask challenging questions Learn how to learn
• Develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
• Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.