Spanish

At Streatham Wells we believe that learning a foreign language is an important part of children’s education. It helps our children become good communicators and responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to a global society. Studies show that bilingualism positively affects cognitive abilities. The bilingual brain can have better attention and task-switching capacities than the monolingual brain, thanks to its developed ability to inhibit one language while using another.

Why Teach Spanish?

We teach Spanish from Year 1 to Year 6 as part of the curriculum. We believe that early acquisition of a foreign language facilitates the learning of languages later in life and that can help a child’s achievement across the curriculum. . It also encourages pupils to recognise and celebrate cultural differences and promotes tolerance and community cohesion.

Aims & Objectives

The aims of MFL are:

to foster an interest in learning other languages

to introduce young children to languages in a way that is enjoyable and fun

to make young children aware that language has structure and that the structure differs from one language to another

To help children develop awareness of themselves and their own culture and additional language through looking at another culture

to develop their speaking and listening skills

To give them confidence and lay the foundations for future study.

To extend the children’s social, cultural, spiritual, moral awareness by making links with children in Spain using Skype, e mails and letter writing.

Leaning Techniques

We teach the children to know and understand how to:

ask and answer questions in Spanish

use correct pronunciation and intonation

use different techniques for learning words (Language learning strategies)

interpret meaning

understand basic grammar including masculine and feminine words, verb conjugations and adjectival agreements

communicate in the language being taught

look at life and customs in other cultures (Intercultural understanding)

These techniques are outlined in the QCDA key stage 2 Framework for learning languages.

Lesson Allocation

In KS1 pupils have a 25-30 minute lesson per week taught by a teacher. Pupils are introduced to a range of basic topics related to themselves for example name, age, family, animals. Lessons are fun based and centred on games and songs.

In KS2, the QCDA scheme of work is used for guidance. Spanish is taught once weekly for up to an hour by a peripatetic teacher. The content of the units is adapted to the context of our school and the abilities of our children. Class teachers will provide opportunities for children to speak Spanish at other times in the week, for example, taking the register, PE warm up. Literacy in Spanish will be reinforced by the provision of Spanish readers and topic related display. Spanish resources, books and games are available in the library for all teachers to use.

Inclusion

Spanish forms part of the school curriculum policy to provide a broad and balanced education to all of our children. Children of all abilities are given access to learning a foreign language to help build self esteem and confidence. Teaching Spanish at Streatham Wells helps our increasing number of native Spanish speakers settle in to our community and ensures that they feel valued.