Languages

'Learning languages is another way of communicating which creates lots of opportunities for the future,

and gives us experience of different cultures.' (Year 4)

Intent

At Ashmead school, we want our linguists to develop a genuine interest, and be inquisitive about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating.  A high-quality language education intends to foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. Learning an additional language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, and develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them, with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught, and all necessary phonics, vocabulary and grammar will be covered in an age-appropriate way so pupils make substantial progress in one language. Pupils will be prepared for learning beyond KS2, by giving them a foundation, inspiration and motivation for learning further languages, whilst equipping them to communicate, study or work within other countries.

Implementation

Our MFL curriculum is taught through the use of ‘Language Angels’, in KS2, who provide a scheme of work and resources to support us in delivering a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum. The pupils in our school learn Spanish. Pupils 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. Lessons are taught on a weekly basis.

Through progression, all pupils will have ample opportunities to speak, listen to, read and write the language being taught with and without scaffolds, frames and varying levels of support. Language Angels have varying levels of challenge know as ‘Language Angels Teaching Types’ categories. This means we are able to choose units that will offer the appropriate level of challenge for all pupils.

Early Language units: Designed for pupils with little or no previous experiences of foreign languages. These focus on the core vocabulary.

Intermediate units: Designed for pupils with an embedded basic knowledge of a foreign language. These increase in challenge and complexity, which includes foreign language grammar concepts.

Progressive and Creative Curriculum units: Designed to be the most challenging unit for pupils with a good understanding of the foundations of the language they are learning.

Our long-term plan for 2023.24 also includes additional units across the school linked to phonics within Spanish, as one of the three pillars of progression. With a focus on phonics across the school, pupils are better placed to draw comparisons between English and Spanish. Pupils practice this phonics unit to ensure fluency.

Language Angels provide blocks of language knowledge and, over the course of a 6-week unit, encourage pupils to build more complex and sophisticated language structures. Units are progressive within themselves, as subsequent lessons within a unit build on the language and knowledge taught in previous lessons.

Across a unit, reading and writing activities are offered with extended opportunities for native speakers. Every unit will include a grammar concept which will increase in complexity as pupils move from Early Language units, through Intermediate units and into Progressive units.

Lessons offering appropriate levels of challenge will be taught at all times to ensure pupils learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the language they are learning. Each lesson has clearly defined objectives and interactive whiteboard materials to include ample speaking and listening tasks. Challenge sections and desk-based activities offer three levels of complexity to ensure appropriate adaptation. Language Angels uses a wide range of interactive resources, songs and games to support teaching and learning.

In addition to following the lessons provided in the Language Angels scheme of work and resources, languages are celebrated through other aspects of our curriculum from EYFS to year 6. Whilst not statutory prior to KS2, as a school we encourage organic opportunities to expose pupils to Spanish words and phrases in the younger years. The origin, culture and language of all our pupils is celebrated.

Assessment

Pupil learning and progression will be assessed at regular intervals in line with school policy. Evidence of pupil work will be collated in folders for each unit and support teachers overall use of AfL. Teachers will aim to assess each language skill (speaking, listening, reading and writing) twice throughout each scholastic year to be able to provide reference points against which learning and progression in each skill can be demonstrated.

The opportunity to assess pupil learning and progression in the key language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and against the 12 DfE Languages Programme of Study for Key Stage 2 attainment targets, is provided at the end of each 6-week teaching unit. If pupils are not progressing in line with expectations, teachers will put in place an early intervention programme to address any areas that require attention in any of the language learning skills.

Impact

Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language learning journey through the primary phase. Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate. Pupils will speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.

Our pupils will:

• Know that a language has three areas for progression including phonics, vocabulary and grammar.
• Know that language has structure, and that this differs from one language to another.
• Develop their language and communication through development of the four key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
• Enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of the Spanish culture.

Children will transfer to KS3 effectively and successfully and will be well prepared to continue and develop their language skills.