To have another language is to possess a second soul.

Charlemagne

Why are Modern Foreign Languages so important?

At Winnersh Primary School, we believe that learning a modern foreign language is important because it:

• improves memory
• develops cognitive ability
• encourages creativity and inventive thinking
• boosts abilities in the native language
• fosters curiosity about and deepens understanding of the world
• encourages cross-cultural understanding

How do we teach Modern Foreign Languages?

At Winnersh Primary School, we have chosen Spanish as our modern foreign language. Spanish is an easy language for English speakers to learn and one that the children may have opportunities to use in real life situations, for example when on holiday or listening to songs. Throughout the school, we encourage the children to make links between English and Spanish, identifying similarities and differences in the vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar. The children also learn about various aspects of Spanish culture and traditions. Spanish lessons take place once each week, but children are exposed to the language as much as possible through incidental use in the classroom, for example when greeting each other, answering the register, counting in maths, writing the date and investigating new vocabulary linked to their topic. By creating a safe learning environment, teachers ensure that children feel comfortable and confident so that they enjoy learning Spanish, sowing the seeds to cultivate a positive approach and curiosity towards language learning beyond key stage 2.

Winnersh Primary uses the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to offer a broad and appealing foreign languages curriculum. In Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, the emphasis is on developing the children’s listening and speaking skills for the language. We believe that children enjoy learning a foreign language regardless of their ability in their native tongue; through games, role play, stories, songs and rhymes, they learn some basic Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation. To increase their inter-cultural awareness, children learn about Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries.

In Key Stage 2, children learn through a combination of animations, storyboards, games, songs and activities which build their ability and confidence in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish. These key skills are taught through a range of engaging themes with links to cross-curricular topics, during which the relevant grammar is covered in an age-appropriate way. We follow a clear programme of study which ensures that the children’s knowledge progresses within each academic year and is extended year upon year. In order to fully embed children’s learning, the languages curriculum includes ample opportunities to revisit vocabulary and grammar and to apply this knowledge in different contexts and with increasing independence.

By the end of primary school, we want children to:

(Listening)

• listen to spoken language, linking the spelling, sound and meaning of words
• listen to more complex sentences in ‘authentic’ conversation and show understanding by joining in and responding
• understand a short spoken passage made up of familiar words and basic phrases

(Speaking)

• develop accurate pronunciation so that others understand what they are saying
• engage in simple conversations
• speak in longer sentences using basic sentence structures to express their ideas and describe people, places, things and actions
• ask and answer simple questions about a few very familiar topics

(Reading)

• understand a short text with familiar language on a topic they know
• read longer texts containing taught phrases and vocabulary aloud with mainly accurate pronunciation, showing understanding of what they have read 
• use a dictionary or word list

 (Writing)

• write a short, simple text from memory, using simple sentences from one familiar topic with reasonable spelling
• adapt known phrases to create new sentences to express their ideas and describe people, places, things and actions
• broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words including through using a bi-lingual dictionary

Mrs Lynsey Queenborough

MFL lead