Overview of the Subject:

At Spire we understand that learning a foreign language provides an opening to learn about other cultures and broaden our children’s horizons. We provide the opportunity for the children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language both in speech and writing.

Importantly, being able to speak another language allows access to new and exciting opportunities in the future. We want our children to be able to use their language skills and be confident to communicate with people of different languages. Exposure to a foreign language at a young age provides the foundation for learning other languages in the future.

Subject Information:

Intent:

The intention of the Spanish curriculum at Spire is that children are taught to develop an interest in another language that is enjoyable and engaging. We aim to build on the children’s confidence to help them to improve their understanding, writing and pronunciation of spoken Spanish. We actively plan links to develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries. Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children’s skills in languages, through regular taught lessons. Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. Topics covered include: the home, seasons, food, family, animals and different types of clothes.

We believe that at Spire language helps to develop a natural growth mind-set and builds well upon previous knowledge as well as consolidating understanding of the English language. We recognise the importance of taking a consistent whole school approach to the teaching of Spanish in order to progressively build on skills learnt from Year 3 through to Year 6 the children will progress from early language skills and onto intermediate language skills.

Implementation:

Spanish is taught in a whole class setting, using the Language Angels scheme of work. The scheme uses units of work from Key Stage 2 – Early Language Teaching; as the children progress through school, they will use units of work from Key Stage 2 – Intermediate Teaching. The curriculum is taught in an enjoyable and interactive way; we use songs, games, picture prompts, language booklets and stories that will enhance the learning experience. Every lesson will bridge back to prior learning to ensure this learning is built upon. The lessons are designed to motivate children from the first moment and are mainly practical in focus.

Impact:

Our MFL curriculum will ensure all pupils develop key language learning skills set out by the national curriculum. Children will be able to understand and respond to spoken and written language. The children develop ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation.

The curriculum is designed to ensure that children are continuously given opportunities to build upon their prior knowledge and bridge back to what they already know, to ensure there is progression and help the children to know and remember more. The children are able to write at varying lengths for a range of different purposes. They are also able to use the grammatical skills so that the article agrees with the noun, the children also learn about how words change from singular to plural form.

Children at Spire look forward to their Spanish lessons and enjoy speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. By the end of their time at Spire the children will have a basic introduction to Spanish culture, language and will have broadened their understanding of life in another part of the world.

What do Spanish lessons look like?

A 6in6 retrieval activity is used at the start of each lesson to consolidate previous learning and understanding. An interactive PowerPoint is then used to maximise enjoyment and encourage as many connections to real life situations as possible. Each class has a regular 30- 45 minute lesson of MFL per week in order to ensure progression and skills development. Lessons focus mainly on speaking and listening. However, pupils are encouraged to participate in some formal writing for a range of different purposes within their books.

Long-term subject overview:

What else is happening in Spanish?

We will be having an immersive showcase day during the Spring term where the children will learn about Spanish culture, Spanish food and what it is like to live in Spain. The children will be trying Spanish food, taking part in Spanish role plays (supermarket/shop restaurant ect.) Spanish bingo, listening to Spanish music and learning about the Spanish lifestyle and culture through a Spanish speaking visitor.

Spanish at home

Here are some helpful links to support Spanish learning at home. 

https://www.primaryresources.co.uk/mfl/mfl_spanish.htm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zxsvr82

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztgtqfr/articles/zmbxdp3