MFL
"Learning a modern foreign language, such as Spanish, provides children with the opportunity to explore new cultures, communicate with others across the globe, and develop valuable skills that enhance their cognitive and social development."
National Curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages, Department for Education (DfE)
Intent
At Wessex Gardens, we follow the National Curriculum’s Languages programme of study, aiming to provide all pupils with the opportunity to develop practical communication skills in Spanish. Our curriculum is designed to help pupils not only understand and respond to spoken and written language but also express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas with increasing confidence, fluency, and accuracy. By fostering curiosity and deepening understanding of different cultures, we aim to prepare pupils for future language learning and intercultural experiences. We focus on enabling pupils to communicate effectively in Spanish, appreciate the richness of the language, and develop the skills they need for further study in Key Stage 3.
Impact
By the end of their primary education, pupils at Wessex Gardens will:
- Understand and respond to spoken and written Spanish with growing confidence.
- Improve their pronunciation and intonation over time in speaking Spanish.
- Write in Spanish for various purposes, demonstrating a range of grammatical structures.
- Appreciate and engage with a variety of Spanish texts, including stories, songs, poems, and rhymes.
- Be able to communicate in Spanish on familiar topics, both in conversation and through written communication.
- Be well-prepared for further foreign language study in Key Stage 3, having developed foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Through consistent practice and immersive experiences, pupils will not only learn a language but also gain an appreciation for the culture behind it, promoting global awareness and the ability to engage with the wider world.
Implementation
The Spanish curriculum at Wessex Gardens is designed to support practical communication and lays the foundation for future language study. We use Language Angels, a comprehensive suite of teaching resources, to structure and deliver the lessons across the school. This resource helps ensure consistent progression, allowing pupils to build upon their language skills year after year.
Key areas of focus in the curriculum include:
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Speaking and Listening:
- Pupils engage in activities that encourage them to ask and answer questions, express opinions, and respond to others.
- They practice speaking in full sentences, using a growing vocabulary and basic language structures.
- Pronunciation and intonation are emphasised, and pupils are provided with opportunities to present ideas orally to different audiences.
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Reading and Writing:
- Pupils read a range of Spanish texts, from simple words and phrases to more complex sentences, to enhance their comprehension and vocabulary.
- Writing activities encourage pupils to compose sentences and short paragraphs, using their memory and knowledge of grammatical structures.
- Pupils are encouraged to write for different purposes, whether for descriptions, expressing opinions, or narrating events.
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Cultural Awareness:
- The curriculum includes exploration of Spanish culture, helping pupils appreciate the language in its cultural context through stories, songs, rhymes, and other authentic sources.
- This cultural focus deepens pupils’ understanding of the global world and fosters respect and curiosity for different cultures.
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Curriculum Drivers:
- Oracy: We emphasise oracy by encouraging pupils to express their ideas confidently in both Spanish and English. This approach enhances communication skills that are transferred across subjects and contexts.
- Diversity: The curriculum promotes inclusivity, with resources that reflect a wide range of cultural backgrounds, ensuring that every pupil feels valued and respected. The content is designed to celebrate diversity and avoid stereotypes.
- Creativity: Creativity is at the core of the curriculum, as pupils are encouraged to use their creativity to express themselves in Spanish, whether through art, music, or problem-solving tasks. This helps them find different ways to use language and enjoy the learning process.
- Independence: Language Angels promotes independent learning, encouraging pupils to use initiative and perseverance when faced with challenges. They are guided to think critically and problem-solve, which helps them become more confident and resilient learners.
Curriculum Resources:
Our primary resource, Language Angels, provides a wealth of engaging activities and structured lesson plans that cater to all stages of language learning. The platform includes interactive games, songs, rhymes, and video clips, which help to reinforce vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Through this resource, pupils are exposed to a variety of language-learning techniques that promote active participation and ensure a well-rounded understanding of the Spanish language.
Home Learning Resources
