Spanish is a major world language, with 559 million speakers worldwide, placing it second in importance behind English. According to the latest figures, there are 52 million native Spanish speakers in the USA alone (more than in Spain itself) so anybody thinking of working or studying there, is at an immediate advantage if they speak Spanish. It is also the main language in South America and has global importance for business, politics and culture.
IGCSE Spanish is open to anybody who has a reasonable grade in French. Over the 2 year course, you will focus on “My World” and look at the themes’ of Sport and Leisure, Media and Culture, Travel and tourism and Work and Employment…
You will learn to speak and write in and will appreciate how Spanish expression changes from one country to the next. It is a course which rewards creativity and will give you an opportunity to start something completely new. As a former student said: “Learning Spanish is like a gift- it gives you a unique perspective on the world”.
The final exams are linear exams taken at the end of Year 11 when you will be tested on Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
Studying a language is a huge asset when you are looking for a job. Employers value the key skills developed by language learners such as communication skills; problem-solving; learning strategies and team working. This really gives you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs and indeed a language is considered a “USP” or Unique Selling Point by the Index of Human Development.
Knowledge of a foreign language is not just another IGCSE grade, but is a concrete and demonstrable life skill, one which is highly valued by employers. It is not necessary to be completely fluent in a foreign language to be an asset to any potential employer, as knowing how to meet and greet people from other countries and cultures is a valued skill. Indeed the ability to operate cross-culturally is becoming just as valued by employers as straight language skills.
Many K.E.S. students already have their own mother tongue in addition to English and Arabic. Knowledge of a European language can only further enhance their chances of a successful and fulfilling career.
Examples of employment where language skills are particularly valued include:
Business and marketing, Engineering, Journalism and the media, Law, Civil service (Immigration, Customs, Diplomatic Service), Hotel industry, ICT, Sport and leisure, Travel and Tourism, Teaching.
Anne Merritt is an EFL lecturer currently based in South Korea. She writes at http://annemerritt.com/
Learning a foreign language is more than just a boost to your CV or handy for travelling. It will make you smarter, more decisive and even better at English.
Physiological studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers, and these differences offer several mental benefits.
Below are seven cognitive advantages to learning a foreign language:
Other bonuses:
People who begin language study in their adult lives can still achieve the same levels of fluency as a young learner, and still reap the same mental benefits, too.
You become smarter
Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognise, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems. This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in other problem-solving tasks as well.
