Language is the central element of the curriculum and is at the heart of pupils’ learning.  Language allows children to communicate with others and express their feelings, emotions and thoughts. 

Language learning should therefore enhance children’s ability to communicate and as such a second language will give our children the opportunity to enhance this ability with communities in other countries around the world and provide an opening to other cultures. Language education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.

Through this enhanced ability to communicate, it aims to develop the pupil’s intercultural awareness and to understand the need to act with empathy and responsibility towards others.  Learning a second language and developing the ability to communicate in that language is a great confidence builder, as well as a potential skill in the work place in later life. 

We have developed a curriculum that forms a foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.

 

EYFS

In EYFS children begin to learn about language and culture by experiencing:

• Role play areas with a variety of resources reflecting diversity.
• Stories from a variety of cultures.
• Visitors from a range of backgrounds talking about their experiences.
• Cultural celebration days
• Texts with information about a range of cultures

 

Key Stage 1

Through MFL including lessons with a Spanish Foreign Language Assistant

• Children learn basic Spanish vocabulary such as greetings, colours and numbers
• Listen to and join in with Spanish storybooks, rhymes and songs.
• Learn about aspects of Spanish culture such as food, birthday celebrations and religious festivals.

 

Key Stage 2

Through MFL including lessons with a French Foreign Language Assistant

• Children develop their ability to understand and use French vocabulary beginning with single words and short phrases leading on to full sentences and short conversations.
• Children develop their ability to read and write French vocabulary beginning with single words and short phrases leading on to reading short texts and writing sentences using a model.
• Children develop their intercultural understanding beginning with having contact with a native speaker leading on to comparing symbols representing their own culture with those of another country.