Spanish

Intent

At St. Nicholas we understand that communication is a key skill for life. Learning a foreign language is a way to open up our children’s understanding of the world. It allows children to develop their curiosity and equip them for a future in a globally connected workplace. Developing an understanding of other cultures, traditions and language is an essential part of what it means to be ‘Worldly’ and is one of the schools ‘Big Ideas.’ Through studying languages children will also be better engaged and prepared to continue language learning at Secondary School.

Our Spanish Curriculum offers a coherently planned sequence of lessons, ensuring progressive coverage of the skills required by the national curriculum based on Twinkl Planit Spanish. Our chosen themes - Our Past, Let's Explore a Spanish Town, Navidad and Reyes, The day of the Dead, Prepare a Fact file and Weather Report- provide an introduction to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and communities. It aims to foster children’s curiosity and help deepen their understanding of the world. Our Spanish curriculum enables children to express their ideas and thoughts in Spanish, providing opportunities for them to interact and communicate with others for practical purposes both in speech and in writing. We aim to expose children to authentic Spanish and offer regular opportunities to listen to native speakers.

The Intent in the foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 is to begin to expose children to the concept of other languages e.g. through answering the register in different ways. Also to begin to expose them to some of the basics of Spanish language and culture through reading familiar texts and linking to other areas of the curriculum e.g. Geography. The intent in Lower KS2 is that children acquire basic skills and understanding in Spanish with a strong emphasis placed on developing their Speaking and Listening ability. These will be further developed in Upper KS2 alongside Reading and Writing skills, gradually progressing to more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy. Across all year groups children will learn a book in Spanish making links to their story making in English and supporting the growth of a wider vocabulary.

Through our Global Explorer Curriculum we aim to inspire pupils to be Worldly by developing a love of languages and to expand their horizons to other countries, cultures and people. We intend to help children grow into curious, confident and reflective language learners and to provide them with a foundation that will equip them for further language studies.

Implementation

Lessons are sequenced so that prior learning is considered and opportunities for revision of language and grammatical concepts are built into lessons. Our lessons and resources help children to build on prior knowledge alongside the introduction of new skills. A series of lessons are suggested, providing structure and context as well as offering an insight into the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and communities. The introduction and revision of key vocabulary and grammatical structures is built into each lesson. This vocabulary is then included in display materials and additional resources so that children have opportunities to repeat and revise their learning. Planit Spanish has been designed by our language specialist teaching team, including Spanish native speakers, so that teachers feel confident and supported. All of our lesson packs contain adult guidance, accurate language subject knowledge and accompanying audio materials so that children are exposed to correct pronunciation and intonation. We also use Spanish Knowledge Organisers with each unit of work to support children’s revision and practice of key vocabulary and to give additional exposure to Spanish in the written form.

Impact:

Using the full range of resources, including display materials, will increase the profile of languages across school. The learning environment will be consistent with key Spanish vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners. We want to ensure that Spanish is loved by teachers and pupils across school, therefore encouraging them to embark on further language studies. Impact can also be measured through key questioning skills built into lessons, child-led assessment such as success criteria grids and use of language passports to track progress.