Lakeside Primary AcademyLanguages (Spanish, French (current Yr6))
INTENT: The vision for Languages at Lakeside
At Lakeside, we want to instil in children curiosity and fascination of other languages and cultures. We have chosen to explore Spanish throughout key stage two whilst the current year six enhance their knowledge of the French language. Each year group will teach the Spanish (French for Year 6) language, culture and traditions as well as exploring the geography of the countries including famous landmarks. We nurture children's inquisitive nature through the exploration of life in another country. We facilitate purposeful activities for children to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding and to communicate this to a range of audiences. Learning a language can help a move away from stereotypical views; it develops an understanding of diversity as well as seeing the shared values and beliefs between cultures. At Lakeside, it is our aim that through the teaching of MFL we can celebrate the diversity of the languages in our school community. We aim for children to have a broad view of the world and its languages and to leave Lakeside with the confidence to be able to exchange basic phases in the languages of Spanish and French (Yr6). The opportunity to further study Spanish throughout each year group will deepen children’s love of languages and their confidence to speak, write and understand an additional foreign language. By exploring Spanish and French (Yr6), children will understand the origins of language and how they have contributed to the English language we speak today, it will also help them to make informed choices about further language study at secondary school.
Curriculum Design, Coverage & Progression
The Languages overview details how the objectives are mapped out, initially starting with greetings and basic information about the country and moving through to talking about healthy living, foods and festivals. We use the ‘Language Angel’s platform as the basis for our planning and resources- this includes children having access to audio recordings with native speakers to ensure accurately of pronunciation.
Our languages curriculum encompasses all the elements of our whole school PROUD curriculum, pride in learning, taking ownership of what we would like to find out about different countries and how we can be independent learners to fulfil this. Reading Skills are used to understand the language and oracy skills needed to speak the language. Demonstrating Drive and motivation to engage in a range of activities and developing the skills of a 'Lakeside Speaker'. The Languages curriculum builds upon the children's communication through opportunities for speaking; reading through recognition of words and common sounds; spelling patterns and writing. The cultures and festivals of the countries are focused on culture days which include the wider curriculum such as art and music as well as food help to develop the children's skills and knowledge.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Languages section of the year groups 'What we are learning about' outlines the knowledge and skills that will be the focus of each topic. Year groups share 'The Big Picture' at the start of a unit to outline to the children the knowledge and skills that will be achieved by the end of the unit. The 'Big Picture' will be shared at the start of each lesson in the sequence, to reinforce the previous lessons learning and assess children's understanding through questioning, low stakes quizzing and peer discussion.
Scaffolds are a common feature to support children's learning within lessons, for example the use of language structures, displayed vocabulary and visual stimuli. The use of familiar stories and songs are used to support the children in their learning of the language. Communication in print supplements this support.
The ‘Language Angel’ platform also has features so children can access the materials at home, play games and complete quizzes to further embed their language learning.
Languages lead will carry out a pupil voice alongside a book look for pupils to share their learning and their French (Yr6) or Spanish knowledge.
Staff voice is used to identify effective resources, subject knowledge, CPD needed and what is working well. Languages are celebrated through central displays.
For the Languages Curriculum Coverage document, see below: