Spanish
Intent
At Oaklands school we aim for all children to enjoy language learning and finding out about other cultures. Children are given the opportunity to learn a modern foreign language by developing their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing Spanish. Children will become aware of Hispanic customs, culture and traditions, developing their awareness of cultural differences in other countries and helping them to foster a more international outlook. In addition, children’s knowledge of how language works will lay foundations for further language learning in the future.
Implementation
Spanish lessons at Oaklands School provide learning experiences that engage, enthuse and motivate language learners from EYFS to Year 6. Lessons are taught by a specialist MFL teacher once a week and followed up in class before the next lesson. Lesson duration increases incrementally in each year group (from 10 minutes a week in EYFS to 50 minutes a week in Year 6).
In EYFS and KS1 children are exposed to the Spanish language through short topics on simple vocabulary (such as colours, numbers or animals and also linked, where possible, to their class topics). Pupils repeat and respond to vocabulary in a variety of games as well as joining in with simple songs and stories.
In KS2, children are taught a balance of spoken and written language for a range of familiar topics and learn to communicate ideas, facts and feelings in a variety of ways. The MFL teacher uses a range of techniques such as games, role-play, action songs, stories, poems, puppets and ICT to encourage children to have an active engagement with languages. Lessons develop children’s understanding of phonology, grammatical structures and vocabulary. Cultural links are incorporated into different topics as well as children being given the opportunity to use their language skills to write pen-pal letters to pupils from a school in Spain.
Impact
Our MFL curriculum ensures that all pupils develop key language learning skills as set out in the National Curriculum.
Children at Oaklands will be able to:
- Develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing Spanish.
- Understand and use Spanish vocabulary on a range of familiar topics.
- Explore and use their knowledge of Spanish phonics to accurately pronounce and write words.
- Develop their knowledge of simple grammatical rules of Spanish.
- Develop an awareness of some cultural differences between Spain and other Hispanic countries.
- Develop language learning skills that can be applied to future learning.