Spanish

Our Modern Foreign Language Intent

The ability to communicate in another language is a valuable life skill. At Greenside Primary School, our aim is to develop a curiosity and interest in Modern Foreign Languages, with a focus on Spanish, which will lay the foundations for future language learning. We recognise that having the ability to communicate effectively in an additional language is particularly important in today’s global society and opens up a world of possibilities and opportunities for our children to follow in their futures.

At Greenside, we have chosen to focus our MFL learning on Spanish due to the wider-spoken nature of the language and the subject matter expertise held by members our staff team. In EYFS and KS1, children initially develop their language learning, with learning about people and communities from other countries and recognising the differences between life in this country and life in others. They listen to and learn songs and rhymes in other languages and listen, say and respond to some basic greetings in Spanish.

Throughout Key Stage 2, children have weekly lessons in Spanish, using the Language Angels units of work and resources, alongside other resources, where appropriate. The ‘three pillars of language learning’ (phonics, grammar and vocabulary) are built into all our lessons and units. Children in Lower KS2 begin their study of the language with a strong emphasis on developing their speaking and listening skills to acquire the basic skills, understanding and a growing confidence to communicate with others.  These skills will be further embedded and extended in Upper KS2, with a greater focus on developing their reading and writing skills.

By the end of the Key Stage, we aim to have children who are well prepared to continue their language studies through to the KS3 curriculum. It is intended, that when leaving Greenside Primary school, all pupils will have developed 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 our multi-lingual and multi-cultural world with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners, who have a desire to explore the world and communicate effectively with others within it.

Useful Links

If you would like to practise your Spanish skills at home, why not try these websites to help you?