Spanish

Course summary

In the Lower Sixth, lessons will relate to the themes of social issues, social trends, politics, current affairs, the arts and cultural matters as they pertain to Spain and/or Spanish-speaking countries. The focus will be on the ever-growing influence and rich heritage of the Hispanic world, whilst evaluating how the viewpoint of today’s Spanish speaking citizens is still being shaped by their diverse and deep-rooted set of customs, festivals and traditions. You will have time to consider the cultural significance of World Heritage Sites such as the Alhambra and Machu Picchu but also learn to appreciate the wealth of Spanish musical and artistic manifestations. In the Upper Sixth, culture lessons will turn to a more interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary political issues that have arisen out of complex historical events. Through the set works in film and literature you will gain awareness of the impact of the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorial system that followed. A programme of extra-curricular Hispanic cultural events is offered throughout the academic year, including theatre trips to London, competitions and workshops twinned with other schools and the language immersion trip to Salamanca, a city regarded by many as the ‘Spanish Oxford’, which runs every other year.