Spanish (Version 8.4)

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Context statement

The place of the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish speakers in Australia and in the world
Spanish is a global language spoken by approximately 500 million people across the world. Spanish evolved from Latin on the Iberian Peninsula in around the ninth century, and travelled from Spain to the Caribbean and to North, Central and South America as a result of the expeditions of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

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PDF documents

Resources and support materials for the Australian Curriculum: Languages - Spanish are available as PDF documents. 
Languages - Spanish: Sequence of content
Languages - Spanish: Sequence of Achievement - F-10 Sequence
Languages - Spanish: Sequence …

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Years 7 and 8

Years 7 and 8 Band Description

The nature of the learners

These years represent a transition to secondary school. Students in this sequence are continuing to study Spanish, bringing with them an established capability to interact in different situations, to engage with a variety of texts, and to communicate with some assistance about their immediate world and that of Spain and other Spanish-speaking communities. They have experience in analysing the major features of the language system and in reflecting on the nature of intercultural exchanges in which they are involved.

Spanish language learning and use

Spanish is used for classroom interactions and transactions, for creating and maintaining a class dynamic, for explaining and practising language forms, and for developing cultural understanding. Learners work both collaboratively and independently in Spanish, exploring a variety of texts (such as online forums, songs/raps, debates and role-plays) with particular reference to their current social, cultural and communicative interests. They share language knowledge and resources in small groups to plan, problem-solve, monitor and reflect. They use modelled and rehearsed language in familiar and unfamiliar contexts and increasingly generate original language. They make cross-curricular connections and explore intercultural perspectives and experiences. They plan, draft and present imaginative, informative and persuasive texts; design interactive events and collaborative tasks; and participate in discussions and games. They use vocabulary and grammar with increasing accuracy, drafting and editing to improve structure and clarify meaning.

Contexts of interaction

The primary context for learning and using Spanish remains the language classroom; however, there may be increasing opportunities for interaction with peers in a range of Spanish-speaking communities through the use of technologies and social networks, partner-school arrangements and community connections. Learners have access to additional Spanish-language resources through websites, social media and radio streaming.

Texts and resources

Learners work with a variety of texts specifically designed for learning Spanish in schools, such as textbooks, videos, readers and online resources. They also access materials created for Spanish-speaking communities, such as films (subtitled), websites, magazines and advertisements, providing opportunities to make connections between texts and cultural contexts, perspectives and experiences.

Features of Spanish language use

Learners expand their range of vocabulary beyond their immediate world and familiar experiences. They make clearer distinctions between stress and intonation patterns to increase fluency and enhance expression. They develop broader grammatical knowledge, using present, past and future tenses of regular and irregular verbs to describe and sequence events. They recognise and apply characteristic features of additional types of texts. Learners develop an awareness of the diversity of languages and cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. They analyse more critically and imaginatively the relationship between language and culture, identifying cultural references in texts and considering how language reflects and influences perspectives and values. They make comparisons between their own language(s) and Spanish, and reflect on the complexities involved in moving between languages and cultural systems. They monitor and reflect on their own intercultural experience and capability as language learners, and identify their own personal and community practices that reflect cultural influences.

Level of support

Opportunities to review and consolidate prior learning are balanced against provision of engaging and relevant new experiences and connections. Learners are supported to develop increasing autonomy as language learners and users, and to self-monitor and adjust language in response to their experiences in different contexts.

The role of English

While Spanish is used in more extended and elaborated ways for classroom interactions and routines, task participation and structured discussion, English is used for more complex elements of instruction and for more substantive discussion, analysis and reflection. Learners continue to develop a metalanguage for thinking and talking about language, culture and identity and the experience of learning and using Spanish.


Years 7 and 8 Content Descriptions

Socialising

Participate in a range of spoken, written and online interactions, for example, exchanging views and experiences, apologising, thanking, inviting or congratulating

[Key concepts: relationship, experience, milestone, community; Key processes: experiencing, responding, connecting] (ACLSPC163 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • using the appropriate register when interacting in different social situations such as making enquiries and offering thanks, apologies or compliments, for example, Lo siento mucho, ¡Le deseo mucha suerte!, ¡Muchísimas gracias por tu ayuda!
  • exchanging personal information about each other’s lives, routines and experiences, for example, A mi amigo español le gusta el chocolate con nata
  • engaging in informal conversations or more structured discussions to canvas one another’s attitudes to social and cultural issues such as La salud de los jóvenes, Las relaciones familiares
  • developing narrative skills by exchanging accounts of individually significant events, influences or milestones, for example, El año pasado fui con mis padres al Museo Nacional y me impresionó todo lo que los Indígenas construyeron
Engage in collaborative tasks, activities and experiences that involve negotiation, making arrangements, problem-solving and transacting

[Key concepts: event, experience; Key processes: negotiating, transacting, inviting] (ACLSPC164 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • planning and participating in learning experiences such as preparing a class outing or community performance or shopping for a lunch, stating preferences, negotiating, considering alternatives and agreeing or disagreeing, for example, Prefiero no ir a la playa contigo, Tengo ganas de ir al cine…Estoy de acuerdo contigo… Estoy en desacuerdo contigo…
  • participating in situations that involve transactions and the exchange of ideas and preferences, for example, arranging to host students on an exchange program or returning damaged articles
  • engaging in collaborative projects such as designing a web page or making a short documentary about a subject such as Mi comunidad
  • planning and completing tasks that involve asking for, giving and following directions to real or virtual locations (siga derecho... toma el bus hasta el lago… gira a la izquierda…), using resources such as digital devices, apps, street maps or directories
Engage in class activities and discussions through asking and responding to open-ended questions, and expressing or rejecting points of view

[Key concepts: values, negotiation, classroom culture; Key processes: inviting, eliciting, explaining] (ACLSPC165 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • using simple and compound sentences and cohesive devices such as Al principio... y luego... porque... por otro lado. Lo importante es...; pienso que... to structure arguments and to explain or justify a position, for example, Pienso que debemos conservar los idiomas Indígenas porque reflejan las culturas
  • initiating and extending conversations and discussion, for example, by using open-ended questions such as ¿Qué pasa? ¿Dónde pasarán las vacaciones? and connectives such as pero, si, entonces, cuando and por eso
  • inviting others to give opinions or make suggestions (¿Qué te pareció la película?, ¿Qué quieres comer?), and using reflective language as set phrases to report and reflect on the experience of learning and using Spanish, for example, Cuando hablo español muevo las manos más. Me gusta el ritmo del español hablado

Informing

Analyse and summarise key ideas and information from a variety of texts on a range of topics

[Key concepts: data, event; Key processes: researching, analysing, summarising] (ACLSPC166 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • engaging with texts such as magazine articles, interviews and websites to gather and represent facts about events or people, for example, using a timeline to sequence historical events or creating a profile of a famous Spanish-speaking person
  • using a range of tools such as charts, tables, mind maps and graphs to organise and present information accessed from sources such as television programs, reports, interviews, video clips, documentaries and social networks on topics of relevance to their age group, for example, El trabajo infantil no debe continuar. La importancia del reciclaje para el medio ambiente
  • summarising key points in different types of informative texts, deducing the meaning of unknown words and expressions, and noticing and explaining cultural references
  • researching young people’s lifestyles across Spanish-speaking cultures and contexts, comparing information from different cultural contexts to identify factors such as geography, climate, and social and community environment
  • comparing details from a range of texts on topics such as education or cultural occasions and ceremonies across the Spanish-speaking world, identifying culture-specific terms and representations, for example, año 8 or primero de básico
Organise and present information and ideas on different topics, issues or events, comparing perspectives and experiences

[Key concepts: perspective, youth issues; Key processes: reporting, managing information] (ACLSPC167 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • organising and presenting information gathered from different sources to create an overview of a particular issue or topic of interest, such as a celebrity, popular culture, school uniforms, endangered species or conservation of the Amazon Basin, presenting different perspectives or viewpoints
  • creating and combining different types of texts and modes of presentation, such as blogs, film clips or recorded interviews, to explore social or cultural themes such as Los peligros del Internet or El acoso escolar
  • reporting on own and others’ experiences of events such as a school camp, a concert or playing a new computer game

Creating

Respond to a variety of imaginative texts by expressing opinions and comparing the ways in which people, places and experiences are represented

[Key concepts: fact, fiction, humour; Key processes: comparing, responding, expressing] (ACLSPC168 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
  • presenting own version of an imaginary event or familiar story, for example, by removing the sound from a television show and replacing it with own invented dialogue or commentary
  • exchanging and comparing personal preferences in relation to characters, attitudes and events encountered in imaginative texts, for example, Prefiero el robot femenino… No estoy de acuerdo con…
  • comparing how key messages and beliefs are communicated across cultures through the creative arts, for example, in Australian texts such as creation and Dreaming stories, and in texts from Spanish-speaking communities, such as fables, myths and legends (La leyenda de la quinoa, La leyenda de la llorona)
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
  • responding to different expressions of humour in texts from Spanish-speaking communities and comparing these to Australian expressions of humour
  • exchanging opinions about typical features of and expression in traditional and contemporary stories, films or video clips from the Spanish-speaking world
Create texts about imagined characters, contexts and experiences to engage and entertain others

[Key concepts: amusement, entertainment; Key processes: describing, expressing feelings, entertaining] (ACLSPC169 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • creating cartoons, plays or short stories about a past event in their own life or a dream for the future to share in class or online with a wider audience
  • creating and performing own texts that reflect perceived cultural behaviours associated with a Spanish-speaking community
  • creating imaginative texts to entertain younger audiences, such as audio or digital Big Books, puppet plays, cartoons or short video clips, selecting appropriate language, rhythms and images to enrich the visual or aural experience

Translating

Translate and interpret a range of texts, compare own version with others’ and discuss reasons for any variations

[Key concepts: equivalence, culture; Key processes: translating, interpreting, comparing] (ACLSPC170 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • comparing own translation of a text with classmates’, commenting on differences and similarities between versions, considering possible reasons for these, and preparing a collaborative online whole-class version
  • commenting on representations of community cultural events such as Festival de Cine Mexicano, celebraciones de la vida de personajes del mundo hispanohablante en Australia, such as Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero de El Salvador, explaining particular language or images in terms of cultural associations
  • translating different types of short messages or communications (Mañana voy a estrenar mi vestido, ¿Te gustó la sobremesa? No me tomes el pelo, It costs an arm and a leg, This job is a piece of cake ), reflecting on challenges associated with transferring meaning from one language to another
  • assisting a visiting Spanish speaker to communicate with an audience of school students and staff who have not studied Spanish, by explaining and interpreting aspects of their language and/or culture
  • selecting and explaining individual words or phrases in Spanish whose meaning can be affected by context, for example, Tengo una pila de cosas para hacer. La pila del celular se ha acabado
Produce short bilingual texts such as digital stories, comics and blogs, and discuss how language reflects culture

[Key concept: interpretation; Key processes: comparing, explaining, experimenting] (ACLSPC171 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • creating subtitles, captions or commentaries for texts such as brochures, slide show presentations or video clips that inform the school community of aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures, for example, El Carnaval de Barranquilla, Festival de Viña del Mar
  • producing bilingual community texts such as posters or advertisements in print or multimedia format, for example, to promote a concert or an interview with a celebrity for a teen radio station
  • composing menus or programs for Spanish-themed events, with key items/information in Spanish and explanatory footnotes/glossaries in English
  • corresponding with Spanish-speaking peers using both Spanish and English, conveying aspects of Australian culture such as places or events of interest, leisure and sports activities, wildlife and environment
  • creating and illustrating a bilingual children’s story for younger learners, using each language in creative and engaging ways, for example, El hijo desobediente or El conejo y el coyote
  • providing an English commentary for video clips of Spanish-language social interactions in different situations and contexts, such as taking a bus to the city, visiting the dentist or buying a video game, explaining elements that may be unfamiliar to Australian viewers

Reflecting

Reflect on intercultural communication, commenting on perceived similarities and differences in language used and on aspects of culture

[Key concepts: similarity, difference, assumption; Key processes: monitoring, reflecting, questioning] (ACLSPC172 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • reflecting on experiences of authentic or virtual interaction in Spanish, for example, face-to-face interactions with community members through an excursion, or web-chatting, ePal or social networking, identifying moments of enjoyment, discomfort and successful intercultural communication
  • keeping a journal of experiences (humorous, satisfying or challenging) associated with learning and using Spanish, noting personal reactions and reflections over time
  • comparing own and others’ experiences of successful intercultural communication, identifying elements that required flexibility and cultural understanding, for example, responding to different ways of expressing feelings, levels of directness or culturally determined perspectives
  • noticing the impact of own assumptions when engaging with Spanish-language texts and experiences, and considering what assumptions Spanish speakers might hold about Australian people and associated cultural behaviours
  • finding examples of how language reflects cultural concepts and values across the Spanish-speaking world, for example, religious references in sayings such as Al que madruga Dios le ayuda, Bendito sea … Adiós, or changes to language forms that reflect changes in social values, such as the adoption of some feminine forms of professional titles (La doctora/el doctor, la abogada/el abogado, la jefa/el jefe)
Identify significant people, places, events and influences in own and others’ lives and explain why they are important to their sense of identity

[Key concepts: biography, community; Key processes: analysing, reflecting] (ACLSPC173 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Ethical Understanding
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • mapping own linguistic and cultural profile, for example, by creating a chart, timeline or web profile to highlight formative elements and influences, such as family languages, key relationships and intercultural experiences
  • preparing a biographical account of an influential figure in own life, including such information as the person`s values and the significance and influence of the person in own life
  • considering how identity is expressed through language, with reference to languages spoken by themselves, their peers, and family or community members

Systems of language

Develop more consistent control of the rhythms and intonation of spoken Spanish and of the features of the writing system

[Key concepts: pitch, stress, rhythm, intonation; Key process: noticing emphasis] (ACLSPU174 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • distinguishing nuances in pronunciation of some consonants according to vowel combinations, for example, gente, agua and gas, and also the double consonants ll and rr compared to the single l and r
  • using the rhythms of the Spanish language, including intonation, tone and stress, to increase fluency and enhance expression, for example, No compro nunca en esa tienda, versus ¿No compró nada en esa tienda?
  • recognising where to place stress in extended sentences, for example, Vámonos ya para el concierto de vallenatos. Ven aquí y te enseñaremos a bailar la salsa
  • experimenting with intonation and stress at whole text level, improving coherence and increasing expressive range
  • recognising that written Spanish has only three double consonant combinations, cc, ll and rr, for example, acción, llover, corrección
Understand and control grammatical structures such as different forms of the past tense, regular and irregular verbs, interrogative and imperative moods, and conjunctions in a range of familiar types of texts

[Key concepts: parts of speech, tense, mood; Key processes: analysing, categorising, distinguishing] (ACLSPU175 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • conjugating common regular verbs and high-frequency irregular verbs (ir, tener, ser, haber) in the present (hablo inglés) past (nadasteis en el río) and present perfect (¿han llegado ya?) tenses
  • using present, past and future tenses of modal verbs, for example, no pudo comer, debemos dormir bien
  • using adjectives to describe and compare people and some aspects of the environment, for example, mi tía es generosa, los Andes son inmensos
  • using adverbs to modify the meaning of verbs and adjectives, for example, casi nunca, demasiado
  • using subject-verb-object word order and comparing it to English structures, for example, Simón busca la información para la tarea en la red
  • expressing quantity, for example, miles de personas, mucha gente, varios libros, tanto dinero, pocas ideas, bastante calor, algunos amigos
  • joining elements of more complex sentences using conjunctions, for example, y, pero, porque, además
  • using interrogative and imperative moods, for example, ¿Has comido? ¡Abre la puerta!
  • indicating possession by using de followed by a pronoun (de él) or noun, for example, El carro de mi mamá, Las camisas de mi hermano
Analyse the structure and organisation of a range of texts, particularly those related to social and informative media, for example, blogs, advertisements and text messages

[Key concepts: register, comparison; Key process: analysing] (ACLSPU176 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • noticing the conventions of several types of texts in Spanish, such as the use of abbreviations in text messages (tq = te quiero), abreviations in blogging (hola a tod@s), formulaic greetings in telephone conversations (Aquí, Hola, ¿Sí? ¿Aló?), typical phrases for greeting cards ( Muchas felicidades por ....), language in menus (primeros platos, postres, menú del día)
  • experimenting with language appropriate to particular types of texts, such as descriptive language in documentaries, reflective language in diary and journal entries, and persuasive language in advertisements
  • comparing several versions of a news story (such as radio, newspaper and online) to consider how the medium affects the construction and expression of meaning
  • collecting examples of online and print advertisements, and identifying and analysing language features and grammatical structures used to persuade potential consumers, for example, ¡Compre en los almacenes ‘La Moda’ no se arrepentirá!, ¡Pague menos y lleve más!
  • understanding the use of elements that provide coherence at a whole text level, such as cohesive devices (sin, aunque, debido a, según, por otro lado), linked paragraphs, introductions and summaries, and sequencing of ideas

Language variation and change

Examine how elements of communication, including gestures, facial expressions and use of silence, vary according to context, situation and relationships across languages and cultures

[Key concepts: body language, personal space, status; Key processes: observing, comparing, analysing] (ACLSPU177 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • identifying variations in linguistic and cultural requirements of specific situations across different contexts, for example, situations such as shopping or travelling in various Spanish-speaking countries
  • identifying and comparing features of spoken and written language (such as gestures, greetings and facial expressions; or headings, text structure and grammatical choices) that reflect the purpose for which they are used, and discussing how silence can be used effectively as an element of communication
  • identifying and comparing how emotions or attitudes such as embarrassment or respect are shown across different languages and cultures
  • comparing elements of communication such as body language and use of personal space and silence in different cultural contexts and exchanges
  • identifying levels of formality in spoken and written texts, and considering what these reveal about social relationships and processes, for example, reflections of status, authority, respect or intimacy (Disculpe, ¿podría decirme ..., Perdone que le interrumpa, ... Me gustaría invitarte a mi boda, eres el amor de mi vida,...)
Understand the dynamic nature of languages

[Key concepts: change, influence, evolution, globalisation; Key processes: observing, reflecting, explaining] (ACLSPU178 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia
  • identifying Spanish words borrowed from different languages across time and through political, historical and social changes, for example, words of Arabic origin that start with the prefix al-, such as almanaque, alcachofa, algodón, álgebra and alcohol, and some common interjections also derived from Arabic, such as ¡hola!, ¡ojalá! and ¡olé!
  • identifying the movement of language elements across and between times and contexts, such as words adopted into Spanish from indigenous languages and then exported to other languages, for example, words of Náhuatl origin such as aguacate, chocolate, cacao, chile, chicle and guacamole
  • noticing components of Spanish language that reflect particular cultural histories and influences, such as technological and scientific terms derived from classical Latin and Greek, for example, continente, vegetación, bacteria, biología, protocolo and mecánico
  • collecting English cognates in the Spanish language, for example, fascinante, arquitectura, doctor, enciclopedia, cancelar and bicicleta
  • analysing the influence of Spanish language and culture on English in areas such as food, music and dance, for example, (churros, tortilla, pupusas, tapas, salsa, flamenco) and considering the value of this influence
  • investigating the impact of media and technology on Spanish, for example, Los niños quieren chatear con su primo gallego and, el dopaje, el escáner
Investigate the nature and extent of Spanish language use in both Australian and global contexts

[Key concepts: community, arts, cuisine; Key processes: researching, analysing, classifying] (ACLSPU179 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia
  • recognising that Spanish is an important world language spoken in a range of varieties, accents and grammatical variations across the Spanish-speaking world, for example, by identifying Spanish-speaking countries or regions on a world map
  • understanding the nature of the distribution of Spanish speakers across the world, not only in countries where Spanish is an official language but also in other countries such as the United States and the Philippines where the Spanish language and cultures have an important presence
    • Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia
  • exploring language variation in relation to vocabulary, for example, ‘strawberries’ are fresas in Spain and frutillas in Argentina; ‘bus’ is colectivo in Venezuela, ómnibus in Peru, camión in Mexico and guagua in Cuba
  • recognising that there is also variation in some grammatical forms, for example, the use of the pronoun vos in several Latin American countries compared to in Spain; the masculine direct object pronoun le/lo in Spain and lo in Latin America
  • recognising differences between standard varieties of Spanish and varying degrees of language blending and influence, for example, Spanglish
  • recognising that many speakers of Spanish also speak one or more regional and/or local languages, such as Catalan or Basque; and researching the extent and impact of Spanish-language networks, associations and activities in different Australian communities, for example, creating a database classifying activities, events, exchange and media organisations, Spanish-speaking films on SBS, advertisements for travel to Spanish-speaking countries, and Spanish language classes

Role of language and culture

Reflect on how cultural values and ideas are embedded in language and influence intercultural interactions and experiences

[Key concepts: interpretation, cultural expression; Key processes: reflecting, comparing, analysing] (ACLSPU180 - Scootle )

  • Literacy
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Ethical Understanding
  • Intercultural Understanding
  • identifying how ways of communicating in Spanish and English differ and how people outside each culture may understand these differently, for example, attitudes to time reflected in language and social interactions; expressing thanks or appreciation more or less directly
  • recognising that language and cultural practices are interconnected, for example, by identifying the religious origins or connotations of many common Spanish names (Jesús María, Dolores, Concepción, Asunción) and expressions (la bendición, ¡que Dios te bendiga!)
  • investigating and using language associated with significant cultural practices and events such as celebrations, for example, La novena, Día de las madres, Día de la emancipación de los esclavos, Primero de mayo, Carnaval, and identifying associated values, beliefs and perspectives
  • considering how differences between ways of using language reflect cultural influences, for example, the adoption of varying systems of apellidos in different Spanish-speaking communities

Years 7 and 8 Achievement Standards

By the end of Year 8, students use written and spoken Spanish for classroom interactions, to carry out transactions and to exchange views and experiences with peers and others in a range of contexts. They use rehearsed and spontaneous language to give and follow instructions and engage in discussions, such as expressing or rejecting points of view (for example, ¿Estás de acuerdo?, verdadero/falso, ¿qué te parece?, ¿cuándo?, ¿cómo?, ¿por qué?). They apply appropriate pronunciation and rhythm in spoken Spanish to a range of sentence types (for example, ¿Nos vamos?, ¡Nos vamos!, Pasó por aquí/Paso por aquí), and use interrogative and imperative moods (for example, ¿Has comido? ¡Abre la puerta!). They locate, summarise and analyse information and ideas on topics of interest from a range of texts, and communicate information, different perspectives and their own opinions such as a mí me parece…, using different modes of presentation. They describe their responses to different imaginative texts by expressing opinions (for example, en mi opinión, personalmente yo prefiero, estoy de acuerdo), stating preferences (for example, después de pensarlo, yo…, prefiero más bien...es buena/mala idea), and comparing ways in which people, places and experiences are represented (for example, mejor que… peor que….más... menos). They draw on past experiences or future possibilities to create imaginative texts using regular (for example, caminar, beber, vivir) and irregular verbs (for example, estar, tener, ir) in a range of tenses including present (vivo), present perfect (he vivido), preterite (viví), imperfect (vivía) and future (viviré). They use descriptive vocabulary, such as numbers, adjectives (for example, generoso, simpático, listo, amistoso, azul, rosa, café) and adverbs (for example, generalmente, raramente, nunca), to extend and elaborate their texts. They use cohesive devices such as y, o, porque, cuando, por eso, pero, puesto que, debido a, y, pues, para and prepositions such as antes del atardecer, dentro de la casa in own language production to create cohesion. Students translate texts on familiar topics and produce texts in Spanish and English, comparing their different versions and considering possible explanations for variations. When participating in intercultural experiences they identify similarities and differences in language use and cultural expression. They identify significant people, places, events and influences in their lives and explain why these are important to their own sense of identity.

Students know that in Spanish there are words that are spelled and pronounced the same but that have different meanings, such as pila (pile or battery), and that a word often takes on a different meaning when an accent is added, for example, papá (‘father’) and papa (‘potato’), and the definite article el and pronoun él (‘he’ or ‘him’). They use metalanguage to explain features of language, texts and grammar and to identify how text structures and language features vary between different types of texts. Students explain how elements of communication such as gestures, facial expressions or the use of silence vary according to context, situation and relationships. They identify how Spanish both influences and is influenced by other languages and is spoken in a variety of forms in communities around the world. They explain why meanings and reactions vary according to the cultural assumptions that people bring to intercultural experiences and interactions.


Years 7 and 8 Work Sample Portfolios