Modern Foreign Languages
At Leadenham CE Primary Academy we value the importance of teaching languages from an early age. We want pupils with other language experience and skills to be recognised and their cultures and nationalities celebrated. We feel that learning about language helps build confidence and encourages an appreciation of one another both within our school community, their own local and the global community within which they live.
Throughout Key Stage 1, simple Spanish vocabulary is introduced through meaningful activities linked to other areas of the curriculum. Singing and Spanish games are also used to reinforce understanding.
In Key Stage 2, the children follow a programme of study.Spanish is delivered through a programme of stimulating stories, songs and poems, interactive games and books. The children have plenty of opportunity to practice simple conversation in order to reinforce their learning and build confidence and communication skills.
Wherever possible, we strive to broaden the children’s linguistic ability, and equip them with the fundamental skills to enable them to approach all languages with confidence, for example answering the register and through communication at a group and individual level.
MFL: Intent
The intention of the Spanish curriculum at Leadenham CE Primary Academy is that children are taught to develop an interest in learning other languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating. We encourage children’s confidence and creative skills. We strive to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language. We help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries. we strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to enable children to use and apply their Spanish learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning.
Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children skills in languages, through regular taught lessons. Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. Children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games. As confidence and skill grows, children record their work through pictures, captions and sentences.
Cultural Capital
Children will learn about key figures from Spanish history such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Antonio Gaudi and St. Theresa of Avila.
They will also experience the following during Key Stage 2:
Spanish publications (such as newspapers) and books
Listening to Spanish radio
Listening to Spanish music
Watching Spanish television programmes and/or films
Eating Spanish food
Impact
- Children are happy, feel cared for, and have excellent relationships with others. They know how to deal with challenges and have a range of strategies to overcome them.
- Cultural capital opportunities have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.
- Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in Spanish. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in Spanish and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education.
- Fundamental British Values are evident in the school and understood by all members of the community.
- Through wider reading and experiences in Spanish, children will gain an appreciation and understanding of the country and some of its historical links to other parts of the world and historical events.