At Corby Technical School we aim for all our pupils to be enthusiastic and independent language producers who confidently and spontaneously use a wide range of higher-level vocabulary and structures. We promote this through the application of our ‘25 Keys to Success’ scaffold aid, which provides a list of 25 essential structures, with lots of examples, required to be used regularly and consistently throughout their work and against which they can assess the quality of that work. These structures are aspirational and allow students in the younger cohorts to be able to access higher level language from the start of their language learning, thus embedding key structures and use of tenses as they progress towards GCSE, moving away rapidly from over-used basic language which can too quickly become entrenched. These structures cover linguistic elements and a broad range of tenses which can be used without having to wait to be exposed to the grammatical teaching behind the language at a specific point in the curriculum. Engage tasks at the beginning of each lesson also serve to provide regular opportunities to revisit vocabulary, structures, and tenses in order to strengthen prior learning.

When our students learn a foreign language at Corby Technical School, we show them how they are developing and refining their analytical skills through applying logic to solving problems; spotting patterns; scanning for information; and working out meaning by using context and any visual clues. They are essentially code breakers, and we encourage them to use their initiative; learn how to be organised and independent in their studies; and show resilience, focus and determination in learning new vocabulary, grammar, phonics, and structures. We aim to help them grow in confidence as their communication skills develop, and we work hard to enable them to realise how learning a language will showcase their abilities and reflect so many of our British values. All this we do through passionately delivering engaging lessons with a focus on active learning in a supportive and nurturing learning space. In addition, we explain how learning a new language also deepens their understanding of how English works. We encourage them to apply their knowledge of higher-level English to be able to infer meaning and spot words that are identical, or similar, to English and use it to gain a deeper understanding of grammatical concepts.  

As well as this, we are passionate about bringing the rich diversity of Hispanic culture to our students through our Cultural Corner spotlights. We help them to discover the cultural and geographical wonders beyond Corby and Great Britain, which create a rich diversity, whilst at the same time highlighting our many similarities; thus, fostering the British values of respect, tolerance and understanding for others. We encourage our students to have a zest for adventure and discovery, so that they might also enjoy the amazing feeling that being a successful linguist, who is able to meet and communicate with people from other cultures and explore their countries and customs, brings. 

In summary, at Corby Technical School our language students are learning to constantly apply and refine a whole range of employability skills which are vital to almost all jobs. Alongside this they are encouraged to be independent and spontaneous linguists, who listen and communicate effectively. These are extremely sought after qualities in the world of work. They learn that gaining a qualification in a foreign language gives them an advantage and provides them with a way of demonstrating a whole range of important skills which will serve them well throughout their lives, and indeed we encourage them to become lifelong language learners, foreign travel enthusiasts and ardent hispanophiles! 

At KS4, students study Edexcel (1SPO) GCSE Spanish.