modern Foreign languages

Intent 

At Jolesfield Church of England Primary School, we believe that the learning of Spanish provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for all pupils. Research shows that early foreign language learning (EFLL) boosts problem-solving and listening skills and can improve memory and concentration. By providing fun, interactive learning opportunities, we seek to instill a love of languages in our pupils. We aim to lay the foundation for learning further languages and to foster a curiosity, an awareness and an appreciation of the multilingual and multicultural world around us. The learning of a foreign language provides an excellent medium for cross-curricular links whereby the knowledge, skills and understanding acquired might be developed and reinforced in other subjects. It also empowers pupils with the ability to communicate with non-English speakers,  as well as the opportunity to live and work around the world in the future. 

Our inspiring, inclusive and purposeful curriculum will enable Jolesfield pupils to develop:

• A confidence to take risks when listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish
• The linguistic competence to communicate with increased fluency, to share ideas, opinions and facts and to ask questions through speech and writing 
• A deep and real understanding of how others live in different parts of the world and an appreciation of cultural similarities and differences, including the importance of avoiding/challenging stereotypes
• A desire to explore, investigate and understand how languages work, including linguistic similarities and differences between Spanish and English

Implementation 

At Jolesfield Church of England Primary School,  MFL teaching and learning encourages all children to explore our curriculum, ask questions and have opportunities to explore their own interests. In Key Stage 2, Spanish is primarily taught as a discrete, weekly lesson of 45-60 minutes. Our scheme of work is based around the Language Angels programme which teachers adapt and supplement as appropriate to ensure that teaching is varied and inclusive to meet the needs of their individual pupils. Language Angels is a progressive and fully planned scheme of work that allows children to build on their prior learning and ensures the knowledge and skills requirements of the National Curriculum are met. It also supports teachers – especially non-specialists/non-Spanish speakers – to deliver the curriculum with confidence. 

Language learning is also embedded into the school day and across the wider curriculum, allowing children to regularly review and reinforce their knowledge and understanding. This often includes:

• Classroom routines – register, giving instructions, lining up/grouping pupils, saying please and thank you, labels in target language
• Language games and activities during SODA and Deliberate Practice
• Cross-curricular links e.g. (numbers), Art (colours, artists), History (inventors, key events, influential people), Geography (map skills, cities, countries, continents, landmarks), PE (warm-up games to reinforce vocabulary, instructions)
• Inclusion of language activities as part of Home Learning
  
  

Whilst the formal teaching of languages is not compulsory in the EYFS and KS1,  we believe in the importance and benefits of early language exposure in fostering a lifelong love of languages and in embedding vocabulary. Within these year groups, teachers aim to provide opportunities for their pupils to encounter languages in fun and practical ways, such as:

• Greetings & saying please and thank you
• Songs and games
• Numbers (e.g. counting children into groups)
• Colours 
• Food tasting
• Classroom instructions/routines
• Words on display

Across the school, Teaching and  Learning is enhanced by: 

• Quality resources and texts 
• Dedicated displays and signage
• Focus days/celebrations e.g. European Day of Languages 2023
• Spanish breakfast during Summer term to practise and celebrate vocabulary acquisition throughout the year
• Staff development to ensure confident and inspiring teaching