Modern Foreign Languages

Intent

Our MFL curriculum at Brookhurst Primary School is taught through the language of Spanish. We aim to instil a passion and appreciation for all languages in a way that is both stimulating and enjoyable for the children. We harness their innate curiosity and facilitate their growing confidence when learning another language. Our planning develops their awareness of and respect for other cultures, making links through similarities and learning about cultural differences with other countries. This is achieved through learning about our protected characteristics, British values and curriculum enrichment opportunities. We strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing necessary to enable children to use and apply their Spanish learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning. Through regular lessons in KS2 and the whole school taking part in themed days, children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. We follow the Primary Languages Network scheme of work to ensure we provide our children with the coverage and progression necessary for their age to set the knowledgeable foundation and aspiration for a life-long learning and admiration of all languages and cultures.

Implementation

Children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games at a level that is appropriate for them. As their confidence and skills grow, and they progress through the curriculum, children are challenged to record their work through pictures with simple words or phrases and captions, all the way through to writing complete sentences in Spanish.

We support our children in a variety of ways:

· displays are used to remind children of key vocabulary.

· practical activities, songs and games are used to help improve memory and recall.

· instructions are sometimes given in Spanish, and it is also used regularly within the context of day to day tasks to expose children to the language and reinforce and connect existing knowledge.

· visual and auditory prompts are used to support children in translating new vocabulary.

· word mats/knowledge organisers are available for children to have out on desks to support their learning and recap previous learning.

Impact

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

· assessing children’s understanding of topic linked vocabulary before and after the unit is taught.

· images and videos of the children’s practical learning.

· interviewing the pupils and staff about their learning, knowledge and confidence (pupil/ staff voice).

· verbal feedback throughout lessons and marking of written work in books.