In the Lower Sixth, we build on the linguistic level you have acquired at GCSE and work on increasing your fluency. However, rather than talking and writing about yourself and your family, house, school etc. as at GCSE, in the Spanish Pre-U course, the topics we cover are much more sophisticated and grounded in Spanish-speaking countries and current affairs. They are more contentious and naturally facilitate discussions and debates, which form the crux of our lessons. Some of the topics we typically study in the Lower Sixth include:

-The Developing World

-Travel and Tourism

-Environmental awareness and pollution

-Scientific and Technological advances

-Equality of Opportunities

-Employment and Unemployment

-The Media and Advertising

-Work + Leisure

Whilst your current GCSE experience of Reading and Listening may be past paper exercises, the breathing space which the two year Pre U course provides means that we can focus more on reading and listening for pleasure. In the Lower Sixth, you will get used to reading and watching the news in Spanish, and mastering the skills of reading and listening for gist.

We also dedicate time in the course to building a sound understanding of grammar, so that our students can communicate accurately and feel confident manipulating complex language. In addition to consolidating the tenses you have already learned, the Lower Sixth is the opportunity to finally delve deeper into those higher-level structures you have learned at GCSE, and have been told you will learn more about in the Sixth Form! For instance, you will learn that the Subjunctive is an integral and fascinating part of the Spanish language, and you will have ample opportunity to practise and master its intricacies. The Pre U course develops your analytical skills and will encourage you to question grammar and how language fits together.

Finally, in the Lower Sixth, you will gain a fascinating introduction to Hispanic culture through our fortnightly 'Random lessons' on different cultural aspects, and our regular independent tasks which involve watching films and listening to music in Spanish. You will also begin your 'Individual Cultural project' for your speaking exam, where you will have the opportunity to research an area of Hispanic culture which has always intrigued you.

Fundamentally, the focus of the Lower Sixth is enjoyment of the language, and discovering that you can in fact use it for real purposes.