Curriculum statement
Modern Foreign Languages
Curriculum Design at St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School
Curriculum Area: Spanish
Curriculum Leader: Miss Rawle
Intent
The skills, knowledge and understanding gained through the learning of Spanish are essential skills in the development of each child’s aspirations and knowledge of the world as well as their understanding of their own culture and identity.
Teaching is inclusive of all children and aims to enhance and broaden not only cultural awareness but also develop oracy and literacy skills deepening each child’s understanding of another language and in turn their own. The curriculum and lessons are carefully planned around logical pupil progression in the ‘3 pillars’ of language: phonics, vocabulary, grammar – and the interplay between them.
Children are encouraged to be Global citizens and, fostering a love of learning languages is at the heart of Foreign Language learning at St Thomas’.
Implementation
Spanish lessons introduce children to a new language in a way that is fun and focuses initially on teaching children to speak, sing and respond to questions and instructions in Spanish. Teaching focuses on learning through different styles, with children engaging in singing songs that develop and reinforce vocabulary, games that encourage fluency and role play where children can rehearse and perform conversations expressing opinions and responding to those of others.
Children begin to learn Spanish in Class 3 and continue in Class 4. We follow a special mixed-age scheme that allows for the progression of learning. As children develop their skills, they are encouraged to express their ideas and thoughts in Spanish and to understand and respond to speakers in writing in addition to speech. Children’s vocabulary is broadened through regular opportunities for them to be immersed in their target language.
The Spanish curriculum is well-planned with a focus on practical communication and how the structure of the language differs from English, helping children to develop their own understanding of their own language whilst developing skills in another.
Our Spanish curriculum is delivered through highly effective ‘quality first teaching’. MFL is timetabled for 1 hour per week.
Our Spanish curriculum promotes children’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development, supporting children to become reflective and responsible citizens of the world.
Impact
Our Spanish curriculum ensures that children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. Through the breadth and depth that our curriculum offers, children have an appropriate balance of spoken and written language, which lay the foundations for further language learning. Our curriculum encourages children to become confident global citizens within the ‘modern world.’