Español (Spanish) is a very useful language for travel, as it is spoken by 420 million people as a native language or a second bilingual language in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, El Salvador and Puerto Rico. Students who go on to study Spanish at university are able to use the language to enhance a number of careers such as business, marketing and international relations. ¡Qué útil! (Really useful!)
In the Year 12 course students learn as beginners to communicate in Spanish in a variety of everyday situations. They use online resources to listen to authentic Spanish speakers, listen to Spanish music, practice grammar and improve vocabulary. Students also gain an appreciation of Spanish and Hispanic cultures and ways of life. One of the real ways they do this is by visiting a South American restaurant, communicating with staff in Spanish, eating Hispanic food and even learning a few salsa dance steps in the adjoining dance school. ¡Qué divertido!( Really fun!)
By the end of their first year students are able to read, for example, menus, travel brochures, signs and simple descriptions of a range of people and things. They can understand spoken instructions, descriptions of people, cities and food and basic dialogues. Students are encouraged to speak in Spanish as often as possible, so they are able to talk about themselves, friends and families, ask for directions and communicate with shop assistants and waiters, among many other situations. Students translate text with the use of other resources, write short descriptions and complete forms in Spanish. ¡Qué talentoso!(Really talented!)