RATIONALE Of CSEC Spanish

Language and communication are central to our everyday interactions. Global trends and technological advances have reduced distances, bringing nations and languages into our homes, connecting us with every part of the globe and increasing opportunities for trade, travel and employment. The CSEC Spanish syllabus will contribute to the development of the Ideal Caribbean Person as articulated by the CARICOM Heads of Government through the exploration of beliefs, values and behaviors, students develop respect for human life, cultural heritage and the environment thus enabling them to view the target culture from a perspective of informed understanding.

The CSEC Spanish syllabus focuses on developing students’ ability to communicate in two of the languages in use in the Caribbean region. As students develop the competence to listen, speak, read and write in  Spanish and interpret aspects of the culture in which the languages are embedded, they acquire the means to facilitate deeper interaction with our Caribbean neighbours. The topics selected for the syllabus reflect areas of interest to secondary school students. Language learning, therefore, provides an opportunity for students to compare their own experiences with those of their peers in Hispanic Caribbean countries.

AIMS

This course aims to:

1. encourage the acquisition of fundamental language skills needed to function successfully in practical everyday situations requiring the use of the target language(s);
2. develop an understanding of the standard spoken and written forms of French and Spanish;
3. encourage communication in French and Spanish in a manner acceptable to native speakers;
4. encourage students to appreciate their own culture and those of their neighboring Francophone and Hispanic countries;
5. develop a foundation for further study and the world of work.