Intent
At RHS we believe that Modern Foreign Language (MFL) is an essential and valuable subject that equips our children with vital linguistic knowledge and skills. We want to expose our children to the four main language skills inside and outside the classroom. Our children will have a good understanding of the world. We want to ensure that RHS pupils strengthen their abilities to use Spanish in different contexts and with a range of different audiences.
Our children’s attitude towards languages shows they are confident MFL learners who are proud of their ability to use Spanish. Our children take risks using the target language in a range of different situations and they understand that knowing other languages contributes to their personal, intellectual and emotional development. We ensure they also appreciate the importance of other cultures, traditions and celebrations.
By the time our pupils leave RHS, our aim is that all pupils will be able to:
- Understand how a modern foreign language works. Children will know how to use keywords, and how to apply basic Spanish grammatical knowledge (e.g. the use of gender)
- Apply their four main language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
- Develop their thinking skills (through the use of thinking maps) to reinforce their MFL skills.
- Have a good understanding of the world, the Hispanic culture, its traditions and celebrations.
Implementation
At RHS Spanish is taught from Reception to Year 6 once a week. Lessons in EYFS and KS1 are delivered by one of the Spanish Teachers. KS2 Spanish lessons are taught by the MFL Subject Leader. Children also benefit from the support provided by the LSAs in the classroom.
Children learn Spanish through a range of different activities: songs, role-plays, grammar games, stories in the target language and the use of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated learning) in some units. Our pupils also learn basic Spanish grammar, building on their knowledge each year. Children are also exposed to reading tasks and Spanish writing activities. This work helps them to reflect on the use of the foreign language. The target language is used in most of the Spanish sessions, providing our children with excellent opportunities to improve their Spanish oral skills.
We also integrate Spanish outside the classroom, greeting each other in the corridors in Spanish or during assemblies. Our MFL provision includes workshops or whole school projects about Hispanic topics or links to other subjects or celebrations. We also provide our children with other extra-curricular MFL opportunities such as the Spanish after school club for KS2 children or the Italian club for EYFS and KS1 pupils.
Our children also communicate with Villalpando, our partner school in Spain. This wonderful resource encourages them to use the target language with a real audience, making the MFL learning meaningful, motivating, and purposeful.
Impact
The Spanish teachers assess pupils’ attainment throughout lessons. The Spanish teachers also assess children at the end of each half term to measure children’s Spanish knowledge and skills. Results are added on Arbor.
Children’s Spanish folders and/or books show progression of the language knowledge and progression of the written skills from year to year.
A Spanish action plan, designed by the Spanish Subject Leader, is updated termly. It evaluates the actions that have taken place and it also reflects on areas to be developed.
An end of year school report is provided to parents of every child with a Spanish section that shows children’s progress in the MFL session.
