Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
“Learn a new language and get a new soul.”
Czech Proverb
Intent:
Bedfont Primary School intends to use the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum in Spanish that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. All pupils will be expected to achieve their full potential by encouraging high expectations and excellent standards in Spanish- the ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond key stage 2.
The intent is that all content will be continuously updated and reviewed annually, creating a dynamic programme of study that will be clearly outlined in both long-term and short-term planning. This will ensure that the knowledge of Spanish of our pupils progresses within each academic year and is extended year upon year throughout the primary phase and, in so doing, will always be relevant and in line with meeting the DfE requirements.
The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught and all necessary grammar will be covered in an age-appropriate way across the primary phase. This will enable pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning and also helping the children improve overall attainment in other subject areas. In addition, the children will be taught how to look up and research language they are unsure of and they will have a bank of reference materials to help them with their spoken and written tasks going forward.
The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about Spanish and other foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.
Implementation
At Bedfont Primary School, we provide all children in Key Stage 2 weekly language lessons, using the materials provided by Language Angels. This helps us to ensure that children are immersed in the target language and have opportunity to practice their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. We are committed to early language learning and believe that the earlier a child is exposed to a foreign language, the faster and more effectively the language in question is acquired. We believe that learning a foreign language helps all pupils develop their interests and curiosity in the similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Following the Lanuage Angels programme, our children study six core units in each year group (twenty four in total over their four years at Bedfont) with additional teaching units available to support children's language acquisition. Each unit and each new year aims to build on the knowledge from the previous. The units include learning about countries, cultures, peoples and communities.
In addition, we look for opportunities for the children to practice their Spanish speaking skills outside of their Spanish lessons. This includes classes completing their register in Spanish and learning to respond to other basic everyday questions in Spanish too. We are also adding in a variety of classroom instructions in Spanish.
Impact
The impact of teaching Spanish at Bedfont is very exciting! At Bedfont, children are regularly exposed to new Spanish terminology through many differentiated activities, such as, games, group activities, videos, songs and written language.
Our children will progress onto secondary school having the confidence, patience, passion and resilience to continue to learn a new language. They will be equipped with the skills of understanding how to verbally pronounce and write in Spanish. Having developed this vital skill of learning another language, the children will also be set to explore our multicultural world through their understanding of how language works and their increased confidence for speaking a new language.