School Subjects Opinions

Overview

• Year group: 7
• Class size: 30 students
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Unit: Mi Insti Unit Plan (Lesson 1 of 6)
• Topic: School Subjects and Opinions
• Language: Spanish
• National Curriculum focus:
  • Listening and Responding
  • Speaking

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National Curriculum Links

Key Stage 3 Languages Programme of Study

• Listening: Understand and respond to spoken language including familiar topics and everyday vocabulary (NC KS3 MFL_LR1).
• Speaking: Communicate in simple terms about familiar topics using phrases and sentences, including expressing opinions (NC KS3 MFL_SP2).
• Grammar and Vocabulary: Understand gender of nouns and use definite articles accurately (el/la) (NC KS3 MFL_GR1).
• Cultural Understanding: Recognise how language reflects culture, e.g. school life in Spanish-speaking countries (NC KS3 MFL_CU2).

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson:

• Students will identify and recall vocabulary for at least 10 school subjects in Spanish.
• Students will express likes and dislikes using 'me gusta' and 'no me gusta' with correct definite articles (el/la).
• Students will provide simple reasons using 'porque...'.
• Students will develop listening comprehension skills through recognition of subject vocabulary in context.
• Students will confidently speak aloud their opinions about school subjects in complete sentences.

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Success Criteria

• Accurately match and pronounce 10 school subject flashcards.
• Form sentences like "Me gusta la historia porque es interesante."
• Participate in class listening and speaking activities confidently.
• Complete exit ticket with 3 subjects and opinions correctly applying gender and articles.

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Key Vocabulary

• la historia (history)
• las matemáticas (maths)
• el arte (art)
• la música (music)
• la informática (ICT)
• la educación física (PE)
• las ciencias (science)
• el francés (French)
• la geografía (geography)
• el inglés (English)

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Key Grammar Points

• Definite articles: el/la (gender of nouns)
• Expression of opinion: Me gusta/no me gusta + noun
• Giving reasons: porque + verb/adjective phrase

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Resources

• ¡Viva! 1 Módulo 3 Unidad 1 textbook and audio
• Subject vocabulary flashcards
• Mini whiteboards and markers
• Word banks (SEN support)
• Extension opinion phrase handout (G&T)
• Exit ticket slips

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (10 minutes) – Odd One Out Vocabulary Activity

• Objective: Activate prior knowledge and introduce school subject vocabulary.
• Display 4 subject flashcards per group (e.g., historia, matemáticas, arte, perro). One word is 'odd one out' (not a school subject).
• Groups discuss and decide which word does not belong and why (e.g., "perro" is not a subject).
• Use mini whiteboards to write answers.
• Brief whole-class feedback to consolidate recognition.

2. Presentation (10 minutes) – Vocabulary and Grammar Input

• Introduce vocabulary with flashcards and pronunciation practice.
• Model expressing opinions: "Me gusta la historia porque es interesante."
• Highlight gender with el/la articles.
• Write example sentences on board.
• Play short audio from ¡Viva! 1 Unidad 1 to reinforce listening.

3. Controlled Practice (15 minutes) – Listening and Speaking Pairs

• Play recorded audio of sentences expressing opinions on subjects; students listen and identify subject/opinion on mini whiteboards.
• Pair work: students take turns asking/answering “¿Te gusta...?” and reply using “Me gusta/no me gusta” plus reason.
• Word banks and sentence starters provided for SEN students.
• Extension sheets with more complex opinion phrases offered to G&T.

4. Production (15 minutes) – Opinion Survey and Reporting

• Each student surveys 5 classmates about their favourite and least favourite subjects using target language.
• Record answers on worksheet.
• Select 4-5 students to present orally their findings to class (e.g., "A María le gusta el arte porque es creativa.")

5. Plenary (Exit Ticket) (10 minutes)

• Students write three Spanish subjects with opinions and reasons on exit slips (e.g., "Me gusta la música porque es divertida.").
• Collect exit tickets for assessment of learning objectives.

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Assessment

• Informal assessment during pair speaking activities and survey reporting.
• Listening accuracy checked during audio tasks.
• Exit tickets marked to evaluate vocabulary recall, correct use of articles and gender, expression of preferences and reasons.
• Teacher notes areas for reinforcement or extension in subsequent lessons.

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Differentiation

• SEN: Word banks with vocabulary and sentence starters; paired with supportive peers; use of images alongside words.
• G&T: Encourage use of extended opinion phrases (e.g., "Me gusta la historia porque es fascinante y útil para el futuro.") and ask comprehension questions.
• Use of mini whiteboards allows faster responders to show understanding and support peer learning.

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Homework

• Memorise 10 school subject words.
• Write 5 simple sentences expressing opinions about favourite subjects using "me gusta/no me gusta" and "porque".
• Extension: Attempt to include gender articles and connectives learned in class.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• PSHE: Expressing likes and dislikes respectfully; developing social communication skills through asking and answering questions about preferences.
• Encourages self-expression and understanding of personal interests and others’.

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Reflection Ideas for Teacher

• Did students grasp gender and definite articles with nouns?
• Were the listening activities pitched at the correct level of challenge?
• How engaged were students in peer survey and speaking tasks?
• Did SEN and G&T adjustments enable appropriate participation?
• Use exit ticket responses to plan targeted follow-up activities in Lesson 2.

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This detailed, curriculum-aligned lesson plan ensures a dynamic, inclusive introduction to school subject vocabulary alongside opinion expression, setting a strong foundation for future language learning within the "Mi Insti" unit.