Heyes Lane Primary School

At HLPS, we believe that understanding the culture of others, helps our pupils to become knowledgeable future citizens. It is our intention to nurture a love of language learning and to develop an awareness and greater appreciation of the world.  All children in KS1 and KS2 are taught Spanish discretely, each week. We innovate and adapt our curriculum to ensure it continually reflects our ever-changing world. We hope that by studying Spanish, pupils at HLPS become inspired to further their language learning, which in turn leads to learning that lasts.

Our belief is that it is important to champion individuality and personal growth. Primary age pupils are very receptive to learning a new language. They are often willing and able to mimic pronunciations without the inhibitions and self-consciousness of older students. At HLPS, we encourage children to “play with language” and experiment with the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. We believe that the learning of a language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. 

A positive mindset: Learning Spanish helps our children to gain a great sense of accomplishment from learning to say something in a foreign language – it’s like learning to crack a code! If at first they don’t succeed, we provide opportunities for them to rehearse with their learning partners, or utilise resources in order to hear or see native speakers utilising the language.

An active approach: Learning Spanish is fun! Games and activities lend themselves naturally to language learning. We provide opportunities for repetition and practice, which are essential to deepen understanding. All necessary grammar will be covered in an age-appropriate way across the primary phase. This will enable pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning.

A creative outlook: Spanish is taught discretely in KS1 and KS2, but where possible opportunities are utilised to embed or reference links to year group Themes and Topics. During PE lessons, basic commands or numbers are referred to in Spanish, showing the broad versatility of the language.

A connected environment: At HLPS, we learn about festivals and traditions from countries where Spanish is spoken, which helps our children appreciate other cultures so that they can take an active role in our global society.

A caring nature: We hope that our children will become sympathetic and develop a curiosity of others and those around them. We are keen for children to ask questions and appreciate individual differences. Language Spanish also provides frequent opportunities to perform before an audience. This nurtures pupils’ self-esteem and self-confidence and develops strong interpersonal skills.

As expressed in the National Curriculum in England Framework Document 2013,

“Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.”

We aim that children become curious of the world around them, taking an interest in becoming both active and ethical citizens. At HLPS, we encourage children to be collaborative and respectful of their peers and we hope that by researching the culture and traditions of Spain and Spanish speaking countries, children will be equipped with the tools to be emotionally intelligent.

Why are languages important?

International studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility of the mind in young children. Language learning is more than just learning to speak and write in a different language. Learning another language gives children a new and broader perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others. We aim to provide pupils with the confidence and independence to explore and be able to attempt manipulation of the structure of language.

We teach Spanish across Key Stage 2, using the Primary Languages Network scheme of work to support the teaching and learning of Spanish. This provides clear progression for the development of speaking and listening and vocabulary acquisition. There are resources to support the teaching and learning opportunities for pupils.  MFL is overseen by the subject leader, who ensures the language skills of staff are developed and sustained. We are active members of the Primary Languages Network. This provides all the materials, resources and support sound files and activities to enable the school to ensure progression in language learning across the four core skills. Staff often attend CPD courses and coordinate with other MFL teachers.

PLN is a live scheme, which is continually updated and revised in order to meet with current curriculum standards. Alongside the planning provided, the network also enriches this through accompanying power points, pod casts (spoken by native speakers) links to authentic literature, songs, games, culture points of reference and links to appropriate websites. To promote an active learning of languages, a range of teaching methods are implemented to ensure that the children are developing their linguistic skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing in order to be secondary school ready. Activities can consist of actions, rhymes, stories, drama, video clips, air writing, sentence structure, dictionary work, book making and many more creative ways to extend, embed and combine language skills. MFL is an inclusive subject that supports speaking and listening skills and helps children to grow their oracy skills in a nurturing and safe environment.

Through the high-quality teaching of Spanish taking place, we will see the impact of the subject in the following ways:

• Children will be able to communicate with each other in Spanish.
• Children will become aware that a language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another.
• Children will develop their language through development of the four key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
• Children will enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of the Spanish culture.
• Children will learn how language skills can be applied to a range of languages.
• Children will transfer to KS3 effectively and successfully and will be well prepared to continue and develop their language skills.

We believe that teaching should inspire and lead to learning that lasts. Learning must be compelling and exciting and ignite curiosity. At HLPS, we aim to give learning a purpose and are in the process of establishing links with Spanish speaking countries and other students. Our aim is to provide opportunities for the children to use their language skills in a realistic environment, perhaps through establishing a pen pal scheme between peers of a similar age, who are also studying a language.

The impact of Spanish teaching at Heyes Lane is measured through our assessment quizzes – “puzzle it out” and teacher assessment. Knowledge and skills are embedded and revisited through collaborative and engaging activities.

We ensure that all content is continuously updated and reviewed annually, creating a dynamic programme of study that will be clearly outlined in both long-term and short-term planning. This will ensure that the foreign language knowledge of our pupils progresses within each academic year and is extended year upon year throughout the primary phase and, in so doing, will always be relevant and in line with meeting or exceeding national DfE requirements. The intent is that at HLPS, pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.

International studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility of the mind in young children. Language learning is more than just learning to speak and write in a different language. Learning another language gives children a new and broader perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others. We aim to provide pupils with the confidence and independence to explore and be able to attempt manipulation of the structure of language.

As expressed in the National Curriculum in England Framework Document 2013

 “Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.”