Modern Foreign Langauges (MFL) - Spanish
Intent
The core language taught at our school is Spanish. Spanish has been chosen because it provides children with the opportunity to learn a widely spoken modern foreign language and to develop an understanding and appreciation of Spanish-speaking cultures around the world.
We believe that learning a language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps children to develop communication skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with the aim of enabling them to make substantial and sustained progress in Spanish throughout their time at primary school.
Learning Spanish also develops children's understanding of how language works. Children are encouraged to recognise patterns, make connections between words and phrases and apply their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in different contexts. This provides a strong foundation for further language learning at secondary school and beyond.
We believe that learning another language gives children a new and broader perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand and appreciate their own culture and the cultures of others.
It is our intention that all children in Key Stage 2 receive high-quality teaching of Spanish, enabling them to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to continue their language learning successfully at Key Stage 3. Children in Key Stage 1 are introduced to language learning through simple Spanish words and phrases, greetings, songs, rhymes, stories and cultural experiences.
Implementation
Children develop their enjoyment of language learning and build their knowledge and skills progressively throughout their time at school.
In Key Stage 2, Spanish is taught through weekly sessions. Children experience Spanish through a range of engaging activities, including songs, rhymes, stories, games, conversations, role play and cultural activities. We aim for children to develop an appreciation of Spanish language, music, stories and culture throughout their time at the school.
We recognise that children learn languages in different ways. Our Spanish curriculum therefore provides opportunities for children to learn through active participation, actions, rhymes, songs, stories, grammar activities, video clips, sentence building, vocabulary games, dictionary work and structured speaking and listening activities. These approaches enable children to extend, embed and combine their language skills.
Our Spanish curriculum provides opportunities for children to learn about the wider culture of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world. Children develop an understanding of similarities and differences between their own lives and those of children in Spanish-speaking countries and communities.
- We plan using the National Curriculum for Languages and the resources and guidance provided by Primary Languages Network.
- We enhance the curriculum using progression grids to ensure that children build their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary, grammar, phonics and sentence structures over time.
- Subject progression grids are used to inform and develop long-term planning, ensuring that knowledge and skills are revisited and developed progressively.
- Teachers use the long-term planning to plan units of work and individual lessons, adapting teaching to meet the needs of pupils within our mixed-age classes.
- Lessons provide regular opportunities for children to retrieve previously taught vocabulary and language structures, supporting long-term retention.
- Children are encouraged to use Spanish independently, applying previously learned vocabulary and sentence structures in new contexts.
- Assessment is used to identify what children know, remember and can do, and to inform future teaching.
- Children are given opportunities to develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as they progress through the school.
Through our Spanish curriculum, we aim to develop children who are confident, enthusiastic and curious language learners, who recognise the value of learning another language and appreciate the diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures around the world.