This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow Spanish scheme of work. It explores how Spanish became one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, by looking back at events in history.

A long time ago, people traded goods like silk and spices between Europe and Asia. In 1492, an explorer called Christopher Columbus, supported by the King and Queen of Spain, set sail across the Atlantic Ocean looking for a new way to reach Asia. Instead, he landed in the Bahamas, beginning centuries of Spanish exploration and colonisation in the Americas. Spain wanted gold, power, and to spread Christianity, and soon took control of large parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and more. The people who already lived there had their own languages and cultures, and many resisted Spanish rule. Over time, the Spanish language spread across these new lands. By the 1800s, the colonies became independent, but Spanish remained. Today, Spanish is the official language in 20 countries, and while Spanish culture had a huge impact, many indigenous languages and traditions still survive.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of Spanish, Upper key stage 2, Year 6, Unit 6: Maya city treasure hunt, Lesson 1: Cities of the Ancient Maya