Spanish
Spanish is a popular choice among students at St Wolstan’s, with over 350 girls currently studying the language. There are three teachers of Spanish, whose knowledge and varied experiences of Spain and Latin America combine to bring the language alive for their pupils.

Junior Certificate Spanish
We aim to introduce Junior Certificate Spanish students to the language in a lively, communicative and relevant way.

The general aims are:

to develop students’ ability to communicate in Spanish, both orally and in writing

to develop in students an ability to understand spoken Spanish

to give students an awareness of the cultures of Spain and Latin America and thus to develop a more objective perspective on aspects of their own culture

Students choose which modern language to study in advance of arriving in first year. They have four classes per week from 1 - 3 year, which are mixed ability. The four language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – are introduced from the beginning of first year and develop over time. Students have a Christmas and a Summer exam – aural and written – as well as ongoing class-based assessment.

During the students’ first year, there is a significant emphasis on communication in the target language. At the end of that year, students should be able to engage in a conversation about themselves: their name, age, birthday, where they live, family, school, pastimes and pets as well as deal with situations such as ordering meals in restaurants, asking for and buying clothes in a shop and visiting a doctor and explaining ailments.

In second year, students consolidate their Spanish further and learn more complicated verb structures (radical changing verbs, reflexive verbs) and grammar points, such as expressing future intentions, explaining past actions and using possessive adjectives. They also begin letter writing in earnest, in preparation for their Junior Certificate exam.

By third year, students will have learnt the present, past and future verb tenses and be using them orally and in written expression. The emphasis this year is on expanding students’ vocabulary and revision of previous topics encountered in first and second year, so that they are fully prepared for the Junior Certificate. Aural (listening) practice forms an integral part of this year, as it is such an important element of learning any language.

Leaving Certificate Spanish
Students continue with Spanish after Junior Certificate, some having spent a year in Transition Year (see below).

The two-year Leaving Certificate course is a challenging one, with a comprehensive syllabus to cover. Students in St Wolstan’s have five classes of Spanish weekly. Most classes at this stage are divided by ability, with Higher and Ordinary level being catered for separately, wherever possible. Students’ oral skills are especially important, given the oral exam around Easter of their final (6) year.

Transition Year Spanish
Transition Year is an optional year in St Wolstan’s, with some students moving straight from 3 into 5 year, while others opt for Transition Year. Students of Spanish are allocated three classes weekly, with classes being of mixed ability.

The year is a great opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge of Spanish and enhance it further. Students are introduced to the rich culture and history of Spain and South America, which gives them valuable insight into this widely-spoken international language. Projects are undertaken on topics relevant to the Spanish-speaking world (see below) and are researched in the schools’ computer rooms. Students are awarded marks for presentation and coherence, as well as for content. This increases their ability to work and learn independently.

Previous topics for projects:
Culture and customs of Argentina
History and Politics of Cuba
Spanish Royal Family
Cuisine of Spain
Federico Garcia Lorca
Colonial History of Spain
Culture and customs of Mexico
Che Guevara
Spanish Architecture
Peru and Chile

Students also prepare for a variety of real-life situations – shopping, eating out, booking events/hotel rooms etc – which improves their communication in the target language. There is also a media-element to the course, with students being exposed to Spanish-language films, TV programmes and Spanish press.

Arts Week
As part of the school’s annual celebration of the Arts, students are encouraged to bring their artistic talents to the fore. Spanish classes spend a class planning and preparing poster displays relating to Spanish language/culture, which are then put up in the school. Table quizzes and bingo in Spanish also take place during the week and senior students study and then watch a contemporary Spanish-language film. They all thoroughly enjoy the week and only wish it could happen more often. ¡ Ojalá !

Films at the Irish Film Institute
There is a Transition Year and 5 year outing to see a Spanish-language film once during the academic year. This is sometimes the first time students have seen a foreign-language film and is a valuable experience. Previous films viewed include El Bola, Maria Llena de Gracia, Machuca, Diarios de Motocicleta, Mar Adentro and Volver. The school sincerely thanks Alicia McGovern for her valuable work with the students on these days.

Annual Spanish Quiz
Students from 5 and 6 year enjoy a Spanish quiz organised by the Spanish Teachers’ Association of Ireland in March every year. St Wolstan’s has supported the event since its inception and there is always great demand among the girls to participate …. so far, St Wolstan’s has never won the coveted cup, but we have always enjoyed taking part.
¡ Hasta la próxima!