VISION -Being a Linguist at Lyppard Grange Primary School

At Lyppard Grange we believe that Languages are for life. At Lyppard Grange children learn Spanish from Years Three to Six. Our Curriculum aims to spark an interest in learning languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating, whilst developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence children need to communicate in another language.

INTENT 

Our Modern Foreign Language teaching  aims to provide the foundation for learning further languages by making explicit links and comparisons with English and other European Languages, equipping children with the skills they need to study language into secondary school and beyond.

Throughout the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages every opportunity is taken to develop the children’s cultural awareness.

IMPLEMENTATION 

The National Curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages states that ‘Teaching may be of any modern or ancient foreign language and should focus on enabling pupils to make substantial progress in one language’ and states that by the end of Key Stage Two children should:

• listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
• explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
• engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help*
• speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
• develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases*
• present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences*
• read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
• appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
• broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
• write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly.
• describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing
• understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant): feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.

 At Lyppard Grange children learn Spanish from Years Three to Six following a curriculum which is carefully linked to National Curriculum outcomes and creates the building blocks children need to become lifelong language learners. In order to support the development of the curriculum we have used elements of ‘La Jolie Ronde – Spanish schemes of works for Key Stage Two and each term of study follows the same format.

1.  An Introduction to the key vocabulary children need during the topic.                                                                                              This is done through songs, games, word searches, listening games, labelling, ICT based activities, drawing and colouring. This is where teachers will use the Jolie Ronde Scheme of Work to plan engaging exciting activities in order to support children in the acquisition of new vocabulary.

2.  Reading and translating:

Children are given a sample text (length of text is carefully matched to year group outcomes as well as children’s individual developmental levels). The children are encouraged to look and listen for familiar words/phrases in order to get the meaning the whole sentence. Teachers model simple translation skills and children practice their skills using other sentences based on the model used in whole class teaching.

3. Writing: Children are given opportunities to write in Spanish using a combination of new material and known language.     Teachers support the children to write in Spanish by creating a model text (this is carefully matched to year group outcomes as well as children’s individual developmental levels) and allowing children to practices their writing skills using the model text as a guide.

4. Speaking and Listening:                                                                                                                                                                              Children are given the opportunity to apply the taught language in a range of situations, which include Role Play, question and answer sessions, creating presentations and recordings of their work.

*The teaching of grammar is weaved in at all stages.

All children are issued with a Spanish book (pink) at the start of Key Stage Two, which they carry with them until they leave school. At the beginning of each new theme teachers give children the key vocabulary and grammar structures to stick into the back pages in order to create a personalised Spanish dictionary.

IMPACT

Throughout our Language Curriculum children are taught to make links between new and previously taught language and grammar structures. As a result of this you would expect to see children enjoy their Spanish lessons, who talk confidently about their Language Learning and can make explicit links to the English and to languages they may study in the future.