Spanish
Our Approach (Intent)
At Langley Mill Academy we use the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils, using a wide variety of topics and themes.
We aim to ensure that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond key stage 2 and are able to apply their learning in a variety of contexts. We intend to lay down solid foundations for their future language learning and in doing so, help the children recognise that the learning a modern foreign language provides a window to the world, and allowing them to build knowledge of other cultures and places.
'Our aim is to increase cultural diversity in our classroom materials - developing Diversity as a curriculum thread. We know that creating a culturally responsive curriculum and giving our children 'windows and mirrors' to the world is vital in developing cultural capital and opening possibilities for future education, interests and travel'
Aims for Our Teachers:
- to promote a confident, positive attitude towards the learning of language, enhancing professional development and experiencing the joy of learning new languages, including Spanish and BSL.
- to offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences.
- to know where every child is at any point in their foreign language learning journey.
- to ensure pupils learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the language they are learning.
- encourage high expectations and high standards in their foreign language learning.
Aims for Our Children:
- to develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages.
- to acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge
- to become life-long language learners.
- to increase their awareness of the roles and purposes of foreign language within different cultures.
- to foster an enjoyment and appreciation of foreign languages and a knowledge of the different cultures, food and countries of the EAL children in their class.
How Modern Foreign Language is implemented
- We follow the Language Angels scheme of work.
- We implement the MFL curriculum progressively from Year 3 to Year 6, focusing on knowledge and skills in line with national DfE requirements.
- Children to acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes
- We assess learning and progression at regular intervals in line with school assessment through a quiz based approach.
Enrichment
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We provide opportunities to learn about the languages, food, culture and countries through 'Lyfta' assemblies and special events.
"To support our Modern Foreign Language, we have recognised the festival of Las Fallas to enhance our learning of Spanish and knowledge of Spanish Culture. The origin of Las Fallas comes from an old carpenter’s tradition who, when celebrating the arrival of spring on 19th March, used to burn pieces of wood that were used to prop up their lights during the winter. To this bonfire they gradually started to add old belongings and rags, which gave the wooden structure a human-looking aspect, until they became the ‘ninots’ (puppets) which our pupils enjoyed making"
- Facilitate improved cultural awareness and enrichment through an after school Spanish Club, BSL Club and a 'Culture Club'.
Where can you see the impact of our MFL curriculum?
- Photographs and evidence of MFL related work in our Newsletters.
- Classroom and corridor displays.
- The range and progression of activities featured in the Language Angels scheme of work.
- Assessments and evidence of the children’s understanding of Spanish after units are taught.
- Images and videos of the children’s practical learning.
- Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
- Book Looks and staff meetings where are shared and there is the opportunity for dialogue between teachers.
- Children’s annual school reports.