Students outside HOME in Manchester, in December 2024

Year 11 GCSE Spanish Students Shine at Study Morning ( Published: 11/12/2024)

As part of the MFL department’s vision to develop a passion for languages, which opens minds to new and exciting opportunities and experiences, our entire Year 11 GCSE Spanish cohort went to a screening of La Suprema, as well as a study session at HOME cinema in Manchester. This underpins our belief that languages are for everyone.

We are delighted to share that our Year 11 trip to the renowned Manchester cultural establishment, HOME, was a great success. The session was led by Carmen Herrero (Reader in Hispanic Studies and Innovator Educator Scholar at Manchester Metropolitan University). TEMA students actively engaged in the study session on the complex themes of the film, its context, and the linguistic challenges that it presented.

The session included a screening of the film, La Suprema. Set in 2001, in a town erased from maps where electricity has not yet arrived, a girl dreams of boxing. Laureana is an Afro-Colombian teenager who lives in La Suprema, a remote village in the Colombian Caribbean region. When she learns her uncle will box for the world title and it will be broadcast live on TV, she and the community will do everything to watch the fight, while battling oblivion. The odds are against them, but inspired by Laureana’s irrepressible energy this mission might just put La Suprema on the map.

After the screening of the film, our students demonstrated their REACH values of hard work and ambition by sharing their insights with various other Manchester schools, whose students were undoubtedly impressed by the excellent contributions our students made to discussions. Engaging with the film, they made insightful observations, noting instances of misogyny such as characters addressing the protagonist as “niña” instead of by name, and how her passion for boxing was dismissed because she is a girl. They also discussed how societal expectations influence her clothing choices.

On the tram journey home, our students exemplified our values of care and respect by kindly offering their seats to members of the public, demonstrating their thoughtfulness both in and out of the classroom.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to The East Manchester Academy for bringing their students to the screening and film study session of La Suprema.

It was truly inspiring to see how the students engaged with the story and connected with the main characters of the film. Their comments and discussions showcased a good understanding and appreciation of the film’s themes. This type of event for Spanish GCSE language students is incredibly important, not only to increase pupils’ motivation but also to foster a more holistic and accessible language experience for all students. It prepares them for target-culture experiences and has proven to be an enriching opportunity to develop their intercultural sensitivity.

La Suprema is a fantastic film that covers a wide range of topics relevant to all students, including: popular culture (cinema, music), interpersonal and family relationships, the importance of education for young people, the development and well-being of communities in the global south, the importance of sports, challenging and overcoming restrictive and stereotypical gender norms and racism. I am sure the session can foster their visual and critical analysis and provide a useful way of embedding the Education for Sustainable Development goals in the language curriculum (UNESCO).

Visiting a cultural center like HOME provides students with invaluable experiences that extend beyond the classroom. It allows them to immerse themselves in diverse cultural narratives, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of different perspectives. These visits help cultivate a sense of global citizenship and intercultural competence, which are essential skills in today’s interconnected world.

Thank you once again for being such enthusiastic participants. Your continued support and regular visits to our events mean the world to us. We look forward to welcoming you back for future events at HOME and Manchester Metropolitan University!”
Dr Carmen Herrero, Reader in Hispanic Studies and Innovator Educator Scholar at Manchester Metropolitan University

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