This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my year 8 Spanish students. It can also be used for year 9 as the model answer has quite a list of grammar / some more can be added. The idea is to promote independent learning via research. There are two choices: a documentary about your favourite town in England (in my case it is Manchester) or an interview with a football player about his town in Spain ( I chose Madrid). Students decide on the task, the roles and start researching relevant information using their iPads (one of the students needs to summarise the information that others found). They then have to prepare a script in Spanish and to make a video using iMovie or any other video application. If there is little time I would suggest them to present it and I would film it. The whole process takes about 2 lessons and is perfect for the end of the topic as you can incorporate all of the structures / vocabulary learned during the term!

This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my year 8 French students. It can also be used for year 9 as the model answer has quite a list of grammar / some more can be added. The idea is to promote independent learning via research. There are two choices: a documentary about your favourite town in England (in my case it is Manchester) or an interview with a football player about his town in France( I chose Paris). Students decide on the task, the roles and start researching relevant information using their iPads (one of the students needs to summarise the information that others found). They then have to prepare a script in French and to make a video using iMovie or any other video application. If there is little time I would suggest them to present it and I would film it. The whole process takes about 2 lessons and is perfect for the end of the topic as you can incorporate all of the structures / vocabulary learned during the term!

This is the lesson that I have prepared for my y9/y10 in relation to the topic of Spanish culture (Festivals & Celebrations). The lesson starts with the starter about food (it was previous topic and I always try to link things together) and following review of lesson outcomes we move onto to trying to recite a tongue twister (plus a cultural SMSC tip!). Students will then recap on regular verbs conjugation in present tense and learn new / revise already known vocabulary on the topic of San Fermin celebration using Quizlet and Quizlet live tools. I have then included a video (see link) of Rosa from SpanishPod101 (see their channel in youtube) describing the celebration of San Fermin. Even though the video is in Spanish and Rosa speaks really quickly, there are subtitles in English so that all students have a chance to listen to a native speaker and at the same time understand what the video is about (note: I personally find the Spanishpod101 videos amazing as they address quite a few cultural / grammar / pronunciation and other aspects so I would recommend letting your students know that a lot of resources are available for free. Consequently, students answer quiz questions about the video and move on to Reading activity. They read the text aloud, search for cognates and keywords and finally answer the questions that I have tried to create in the style of AQA Higher Reading Section A. Please note that there is also a handout to make the task easier and faster to access. Enjoy!

This is a lesson which I prepared for my KS4 Spanish groups for the end of the term. It includes one of my favourite starters - students have to analyse the overview of the cartoon - The Book of Life - and choose a task according to their level. You would then check the answers and would move on to explaining the lesson outcomes. Then they would have some fun with a tongue twister, working on their pronunciation of ‘Br’ sound (one of their favourite thing to do every lesson - easy to find and to tick SMSC, engagement, phonics and oracy points).Then I have included a mind map mini-plenary for them to revise the festivities/celebrations vocabulary. It is then followed by the new vocabulary introduction with a quizlet and quizlet live games. A short Rally coach activity is included for them to consolidate the vocabulary and to practice translating topic-related sentences. I have then arranged for a listening / reading activity using one of the youtube videos of the SpanishPod101 about Halloween. The lady speaks fast but there are Spanish and English subtitles at the bottom to assist students with understanding the video. They would answer the listening questions as they listen to /watch the video. The next task is Reading (Section B) - they need to insert the correct words in the text about the Day of the Dead followed by the AQA skill-based self-assessment. Finally, the ‘words’ snake’ plenary that students totally love - they have to work in groups remembering topi-specific vocabulary. Enjoy!

This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my KS3/lower KS4 Spanish students. The idea is to promote independent learning via research.Students have to research information about Spanish Christmas, compare the traditions with the ones in Britain and to create a presentation / poster. Students decide on the task, the roles and start researching relevant information using their iPads (one of the students needs to summarise the information that others found). There is also a designer and an analyst (usually the most attaining student in the group. Enjoy!

This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my year 7 Spanish students. The writing example can be easily adapted if more structures are to be added. The idea is to promote independent learning via research. Students have to research information about the place that they would like to visit (any place in world really but I encouraged to visit Spain). Students decide on the task and start researching relevant information about the chosen location using their iPads/ Chromebooks. At the same time they create a poster or a travel brochure with pop-up images (!!!) about the chosen location. During the second lesson they distribute the writing task bullet points in-between the members of the group and complete a piece of writing as per success criteria and model answer. In the end they stick their written notes (or attach them) to their poster /travel brochure. The whole process takes about 2 lessons and is perfect for the end of the topic as you can incorporate all of the structures / vocabulary learned during the term! Note: the writing example is oriented on the revision of tenses studied this year, holidays, weather and location vocabulary. Please let me know if you have any other ideas on how this project can be implemented. If you still have some time left you can enjoy few games I have inserted to simply have fun during the (possibly) last lesson of the year.

This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my year 7 Spanish students. See similar post for early GCSE classes. The writing example can be easily adapted if more structures are to be added. The idea is to promote independent learning via research.Students have to research information about a sports team and create a poster. After that they have to produce a piece of writing to express their opinion on that team. Students decide on the task, the roles and start researching relevant information using their iPads (one of the students needs to summarise the information that others found). The whole process takes about 2 lessons and is perfect for the end of the topic as you can incorporate all of the structures / vocabulary learned during the term!

This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my year 9 Spanish students. It can also be used for older students as the model answer has quite a list of grammar / some more can be added. The idea is to promote independent learning via research. There are two choices: a documentary about your school or an interview with between a student from your school and a school in Spain. Students decide on the task, the roles and start researching relevant information using their iPads (one of the students needs to summarise the information that others found). They then have to prepare a script in Spanish and to make a video using iMovie or any other video application. If there is little time I would suggest them to present it and I would film it. The whole process takes about 2 lessons and is perfect for the end of the topic as you can incorporate all of the structures / vocabulary learned during the term!

This is the speaking framework and the model answer that I wrote for the early GCSE classes. The model answer and the framework were originally designed for them to write an essay that they might use for the speaking test or keep it in file to revise prior to the exam. I have also used it as a writing model answer. There are three documents in there because I was trying to check what works better and in the end decided that the framework is quite sufficient for them to realise what are they expected to write / say. I have left references to the VCOP mat in case someone wants to put their numbers in, alternatively, just delete them as I left the names of the structures.

This is a research project lesson (or two lessons really) that I created for my year 8 Spanish students. The writing example can be easily adapted if more structures are to be added. The idea is to promote independent learning via research. Students have to research information about past or future events that they would like to visit if they were to have a time machine and create a poster or a set of notes. Students decide on the task and start researching relevant information using their iPads/ Chromebooks. At the same time they create a cardboard / paper time machine and produce a piece of writing as per model answer. In the end they stick their written notes / writing around the time machine (or attach it to their poster with researched information). The whole process takes about 2 lessons and is perfect for the end of the topic as you can incorporate all of the structures / vocabulary learned during the term! Note: the writing example is oriented on the working knowledge of conditional tense and related popular expressions. Please let me know if you have any other ideas on how this project can be implemented.If you still have some time left you can enjoy few games I have inserted to simply have fun during the (possibly) last lesson of the year.

This is the lesson that I have prepared for my higher y8/ and y9/y10 in relation to the topic of Spanish culture (Festivals & Celebrations). The starter is based on the review of the cartoon called ‘The Book of Life’ (El Libro de la Vida). Students read the review and complete various tasks according to their ability. Then they check their answers, review the lesson objectives and have fun resiting a tongue twister (I personally believe phonics is the way forward for the students of all ages). Students will then learn new / revise already known vocabulary on the topic of Las Hogueras de San Juan festival using Quizlet and Quizlet live tools. I have then included a video (see link) of Rosa from SpanishPod101 (see their channel in youtube) describing the festival. Even though the video is in Spanish and Rosa speaks really quickly, there are subtitles in English so that all students have a chance to listen to a native speaker and at the same time understand what the video is about (note: I personally find the Spanishpod101 videos amazing as they address quite a few cultural / grammar / pronunciation and other aspects so I would recommend letting your students know that a lot of resources are available for free. Consequently, students answer quiz questions about the video. I presented it as a Listening task. Then they move on to Writing Foundation Questions 2 and 4 // Higher Tier Question 1. Students begin by translating the short text into English and coaching each other if stuck at the same time assessing each others work. Then they revise some grammar by playing tarsia game (see template in the end of the presentation). Consequently they get on with reading the question and what is required from them and discussing the what they could include in their answer (both content and grammar structures). Then they make a break and play a dice game (can be prepared prior to the lesson or during the same - see template in the end of the presentation) and a learning grid to revise verb tenses. They then get back to the task and work in pairs to plan their answers. Finally they complete the task individually, discuss the success criteria and the marking scheme with the teacher and peer / self assess their work. And, as a reward they play Hangman! (I have posted this slide for free within my resources - search for ‘El ahorcado’). Please let me know if there are any problems / ideas!

This is the lesson that I have prepared for my higher y8/ and y9/y10 in relation to the topic of Spanish culture (Festivals & Celebrations). The starter focus is the Past Simple (preterite) and the Future SImple (‘will’). We use Viva books so I included help boxes as a reminder for those who do not clearly remember the endings. Students will then look at the speaking questions of the half-term, analysing them and trying to come up with a set of ideas for a response. I have then included a video (see link) of Rosa from SpanishPod101 (see their channel in youtube) describing the celebration of Las Fallas. Even though the video is in Spanish and Rosa speaks really quickly, there are subtitles in English so that all students have a chance to listen to a native speaker and at the same time understand what the video is about (note: I personally find the Spanishpod101 videos amazing as they address quite a few cultural / grammar / pronunciation and other aspects so I would recommend letting your students know that a lot of resources are available for free. Consequently, students answer quiz questions about the video. I presented it as a Listening task. They annotated the questions and complete the task using vocabulary help. Students will then learn new / revise already known vocabulary on the topic of Las Fallas festival using Quizlet and Quizlet live tools. Then they recap on the success criteria for Speaking Q2 / Writing Q1 - Photo card and complete a photo card task based on a photo from La Tomatina celebration together. They jot their thoughts first, play a catchphrase game and then prepare their responses in pairs on the second photo card. Finally they complete a third photo card task individually. Finally they read and analyse the grammar in the text about festival to complete AQA Higher Reading Section C task (translation). I included some grammar tips for them and highlighted them in the text to make it easier. Then they complete the task, check their answers, self assess themselves and play Hangman (as a reward for hard work!). Enjoy!

These are few grammar games that I decided to share. I would use them for pretty much all age groups, both KS3 and KS4, GCSE both tiers. They can be easily amended to suit the grammar topics that you wish to reinforce / revise / introduce. The templates can also be easily reused for French. See enclosed: Verb conjugation Learning Grid (differentiated) - Students roll two dices to identify the tense and the pronoun they need to use. To make the task more complicated for more advanced students I ask them to create a sentence using the verb they got with particular amount of words to further challenge higher tier students. I would highly recommend it for the KS4 students. El Bingo (good to promote Vocabulary / Listening / Phonics). Teacher gives studnets 15 words and asks them to write 5 of them down. Teacher then either says the translation of the words on the board (KS3) or defines them in Spanish / English (y9/10/11). If students recognise one of their words they cross it out, first one who crosses 5 wins! Conjugation Cube. Students create a set of two dices that they will roll together. There are two versions of them to provide for two levels of differentiation. Students play in turns to conjugate the verbs! I included an origami version of the cube in case you wish to ask them to make the cube and to write the questions on their own (I took the scheme from the Google images so I do not claim any rights on that one.) Let me know how it goes!

These are two grammar games that I decided to share. I would use them for pretty much all age groups, both KS3 and KS4, GCSE both tiers. They can be easily amended to suit the grammar topics that you wish to reinforce / revise / introduce. The templates can also be easily reused for French. See enclosed: Photo card scrabble (related to AQA GCSE speaking / writing tasks). I originally thought of this as a game prior to completing an exam task for KS4 students. The pack includes a slide and a scrabble board if you wish to organise an extended activity. Students need to come up with words related to the image, the words should contain 3 or more letters and they should be in Spanish! Tarsia slide and template - an activity to use to revise topic / key vocabulary. Students can either create their own or just cut the one you prepare for them. They need to then match the words / expressions in English with their Spanish equivalents. Let me know how it goes!

One of my KS4 students favourite games! One dice, one pen (un dado, un boli) - (differentiated, AQA Reading Section C / Writing Part 3 Higher / Foundation) - Students roll dice in turns to translate the sentence correctly! If the partner throws 3 he takes over a pen. The winner is the one who collected the most points. I used it with KS4 to facilitate the exam translation tasks. I also included a set of slides that I used to emphasize certain grammar points. Let me know how it goes!

This is a lesson on TV shows for an early GCSE Spanish class which can be used with a higher year 8 students. The lesson starter is a differentiated reading / writing / grammar task based on the review of a famous cartoon - Secret Life of Pets. Students read the overview of the cartoon and complete the tasks. Then they check the answers followed by phonics practice (resiting tongue twister!). Then I included a mini-test to recap / check whether students remember how to conjugate ‘tener’ in present tense. Consequently they play the Speaking Cube - 6 sides of the cube are completed with the topic questions for the half-term. Students roll a cube (you can either ask them to glue them together or you can make them yourself). I figured 6 cubes per year for each year group is an easy enough task to continue repeating the questions of all half-terms for the whole school year. The template is in the end of the lesson in case you need to change the questions (colours correspond to the difficulty of the question (core- blue, extension is green, violet is killer and pink is super killer). Then they get to revise verb 1 + verb 2 structure and complete a writing task. Before writing I tried to give them some ideas by showing them the Spanish trailer of the cartoon mentioned in the starter activity (they loved it!). The trailer is from Youtube. Finally they self/peer -assess their work by way of analising the success criteria and play a vocabulary game as a reward. The younger students might be allowed to use a dictionary or to think of any word. In any case, feel free to change the rules! Please let me know if there are any problems / ideas! Enjoy!

This is the lesson I have made for the motivational triggers week prior to Christmas. This is basically instruction on how to make and describe a house. There is also a detailed guide on how to describe the house using vocabulary on the topic of house, rooms and prepositions of place. My students totally loved the starter. You can find the templates of a ready made house on the internet - there are quite a lot! Enjoy taking pictures!

Hi everyone! I realised that some things disappear from Youtube, including trailers which are very useful to engage students. I have therefore downloaded this trailer to use for educational purposes only.

One of the most popular word games ever… And students love it as a reward for a good work during the lesson!

Assessment e-Feedback - blank template if anyone finds it useful. I used for Spanish GCSE classes but it can be adapted for French or KS3. Have a look and let me know what you think!