Intent

At Worth Primary School, we believe that learning a modern foreign language is an essential part of being a member of a multi-cultural society. The importance we place on language learning can be evidenced in our attainment of the ‘International Schools Award’ (2019). Our lessons aim to give our children a new perspective on the world and provide them with an opportunity to learn about other cultures. It is our belief that a high-quality languages education will enable our students to express themselves in another language, to understand and respond to its speakers – both in speech and in writing. By providing our pupils with the ‘building blocks’ to language learning, we hope to ignite in them a passion for languages. Our ultimate goal is to equip our children with a strong foundation of language learning skills to inspire them to potentially work or study abroad in years to come.

Implementation

As set out in the National Curriculum Languages Programme of Study for Key Stage Two, our languages teaching will enable our students to make substantial progress in one language. Our main language is Spanish, and we aim to provide a balance between spoken language learning and written language learning. At Worth Primary School, language lessons are delivered throughout KS2 by two teachers who are confident language speakers. Lesson content is based upon the ‘La Jolie Ronde’ scheme of work, in addition to other resources. In Lower KS2, children acquire basic skills and understanding of Spanish with a strong emphasis placed on developing their oracy skills. These skills will be further developed and embedded in Upper KS2, alongside Reading and Writing. The curriculum is delivered by:

• Listening to the target language and responding at an appropriate conversational level.
• Joining in with songs, rhymes and stories – practising language sounds in an enjoyable way.
• Reading, copying and writing familiar words, simple phrases and later, building complex sentences.
• Learning about the life of children in countries where the target language is spoken.
• Developing links with our ‘Link School’ in Spain – carrying out inter-school activities.
• Maximising cross–curricular links with subjects including Geography, History, Music, Dance and PE.
• Working in partners and in groups, as well as independently.

The MFL subject leader carries out language teaching across Years 3, 5 and 6 and the Year 4 classroom teacher carries out language teaching in their own class. In addition to learning Spanish, as part of a transition project “Discovering Languages” with Poynton High School, each class will receive five or six lessons a year learning another language. This approach reduces insularity and enables students to make connections across other languages and develop an increasingly complex set of language skills.

Modern Foreign Languages is assessed through Formative Assessment methods within the classroom, observing children speaking and listening in another language, pupil voice and marking of written work. The children’s books are scrutinised by other members of staff and there is an opportunity for dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work. Progress is reported annually on end-of-year reports to parents and recorded internally on our subject tracking assessment grids.

Impact

It is intended that when children leave Worth Primary School, they will:

• Understand basic grammar concepts appropriate to the language (and level) being studied, including feminine, masculine (and neuter) forms.
• Be able to spot key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.
• Have knowledge of the language’s phonology and a thorough bank of vocabulary which has developed year on year.
• Have a natural curiosity and confidence to explore other countries, cultures and languages.
• Understand that it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively with others in another language.
• Be engaged and prepared to continue language learning at Secondary School.