Topic: Customs and Festivals

Customs and Festivals

Traditional Spanish Festivals and Customs

Understanding of traditional Spanish festivals: Learn about popular Spanish festivals such as La Tomatina (the tomato fight), Las Fallas (festival of fire in Valencia), the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Semana Santa (Holy Week), and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico.
Knowledge of customs associated with each festival: Understand the traditions of each festival, including what happens, who participates, and why they are important to Spanish culture.

Spanish Vocabulary and Regional Variation

Spanish vocabulary related to customs and festivals: Become familiar with key terminologies such as fuegos artificiales (fireworks), desfile (parade), celebración (celebration), tradición (tradition), evento (event), and costumbre (custom).
Familiarisation with regional variation: Recognise that customs and festivals can vary from region to region in Spain, for instance, Carnaval celebrations differ substantially between Barcelona, Cadiz and Tenerife.

General Spanish Customs

Comprehension of general Spanish customs: Learn about general customs, such as Spanish meal times, the siesta tradition, and the habit of greeting with kisses.

Personal Experiences and Comparison with British Culture

Expressing experiences and opinions: Practice how to express experiences and opinions in Spanish about customs and festivals. For example, ‘En mi opinión, la Tomatina parece divertida pero muy desordenada’ (In my opinion, the Tomatina looks fun but very messy).
Difference between Spanish and British customs: Compare and contrast Spanish customs and festivals with those in Britain to highlight cultural differences and similarities.

Importance of Customs and Traditions

Importance of Customs and Traditions: Understand why customs and traditions are important in society as they contribute to a sense of collective identity and continuity.

Remember, the key to mastering this topic is to not just learn about it, but to immerse yourself in it. Watch videos of the festivals, listen to Spanish music, and try to use the vocabulary in your everyday conversation. Good luck with your language journey!