Spanish
Spanish
Intent:
At Radford Semele, 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. All pupils will be expected to achieve their full potential by encouraging high expectations and excellent standards in their foreign language learning - the ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond key stage 2. The intent is that all content will be continuously updated and reviewed annually, creating a dynamic programme of study that will be clearly outlined in both long-term and short-term planning. This will ensure that the foreign language knowledge of our pupils progresses within each academic year and is extended year upon year throughout the primary phase and, in so doing, will always be relevant and in line with meeting or exceeding national DfE requirements. The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught and all necessary grammar will be covered in an age-appropriate way across the primary phase. This will enable pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning and also helping the children improve overall attainment in other subject areas. The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also 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. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.
Implementation:
All classes will have access to a very high-quality foreign languages curriculum using the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in foreign languages through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons in key stage 2 which will be taught by class teachers. Children will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes - building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language. All teachers will know where every child is at any point in their foreign language learning journey. The planning of different levels of challenge (as demonstrated in the various Language Angels Teaching Type categories) and which units to teach at each stage of the academic year will be addressed dynamically and will be reviewed in detail annually as units are updated and added to the scheme. Lessons offering appropriate levels of challenge and stretch will be taught at all times to ensure pupils learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the language(s) they are learning. Early Language units are entry level units and are most appropriate for Year 3 pupils or pupils with little or no previous foreign language learning. Intermediate units are suitable for Year 4-5 pupils or pupils with embedded basic knowledge of the foreign language. Progressive and Creative Curriculum units are the most challenging units and are suitable for Year 6 pupils or pupils with a good understanding of the basics of the language they are learning. Grouping units into these Teaching Type categories ensures that the language taught is appropriate to the level of the class and introduced when the children are ready. Units, where possible and appropriate, will be linked to class topics and cross curricular themes. For example, Year 3 build on their Theme knowledge of Stone Age and Iron Age in their ‘Ancient Britain’ unit and Year 6 reinforce their learning on World War 2 during their first progressive unit. Children will build on previous knowledge gradually as their foreign language lessons continue to recycle, revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Knowledge and awareness of required and appropriate grammar concepts will be taught throughout all units at all levels of challenge.
Impact:
Monitoring throughout the 2023-2024 academic year showed that using a full range of resources and adopting a fun, multi-sensory approach to languages has increased pupil engagement. Furthermore, impact is also measured through key questioning skills built into lessons, child-led assessment such as success criteria grids and summative assessments aimed at targeting next steps in learning and to inform future planning. Children are also assessed on the two units they have been taught through Target Tracker which is used twice per school year to monitor progress and attainment throughout Year 3-6. Additionally, the monitoring of lessons and regular pupil voice enquiries are invaluable in terms of supporting the teaching and learning of Spanish. Governor monitoring with our subject MFL link governor is also regularly used monitor the progression and impact of MFL teaching and learning. Pupil voice has highlighted the importance of learning a new language as children can see the value and benefit of speaking additional languages, which they often will progress further at secondary school. In addition, many children enjoy lots of the games and songs learned in the sessions, allowing them to learn in a stimulating way.
Spanish Curriculum Overview
Spanish Knowledge Organisers
MFL DAY
We really enjoyed our day on Friday 21st June, learning about the language of Spanish! Each class spent the day focusing on a range of different activities to help immerse the children into the culture of Spain and Spanish-speaking places. Take a look to see what each class got up to below!
Reception had a busy day making Spanish fans, creating Barcelona beach in the sand pit, listening to a re-telling of a familiar story, drawing and colouring their own Spanish fans, learning how to count to 5 and even listened to a version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Spanish shared by Year 6!
Year 1 had a wonderful day, they learned Spanish numbers, found out about Spanish-speaking places and even made some yummy Spanish cookies!
Year 3 had a wonderful day learning about the geography behind lots of different Spanish-speaking places. They also really enjoyed playing lots of different Spanish games and researching famous Spanish landmarks.
Year 4 created some Spanish-themed bunting to decorate their classroom, some language bookmarks to keep as a souvenir, produced some brilliant artwork in the style of Spanish artist Joan Miro and even tasted some yummy Spanish magdelenas!
Year 5 researched the tradition of bull-fighting in Spain and considered the arguments for and against. They thought about their own personal views and voted. Finally, they looked at the work of Joan Miro and began a surrealist work of their own.
Year 6 creatively created their own version of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ in Spanish and shared the familiar story in their beautiful class book with our Reception class on Friday afternoon - what a lovely idea!
Year 5 researching Spanish speaking places as part of our ‘My Town’ unit. We explored; Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, Buenos Aires, Santander and more!
Year 6 taking part in a Spanish PE lesson to listen to commands and follow instructions. We played a relay game, Simon Dice (Simon Says) and performed a sequence of movement in groups.
Recent pupil voice highlighted the following:
"I have used some of the learning from school on my holiday to Madrid, Spain" (A pupil in Year 6)
"I am going to continue learning Spanish at secondary school because I have already learnt lots at Radford Semele" (A pupil in Year 6)
"I think it is really important to learn languages because it can help you to speak to different people" (A pupil in Year 5)
"I would like to get a job one day in languages, maybe as a translator" (A pupil in Year 5)
"I enjoy the games, songs and activities we do in our lessons" (A pupil in Year 4)
"I visited Seville and Barcelona and used some Spanish words we learn in school" (A pupil in Year 3)