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.

We teach Spanish formally from Year 3 to Year 6 as part of the curriculum, but we expose our
EYFS and KS1 children to the language in order to lay the foundation of Modern Foreign
Languages and instil curiosity. 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.
We use the Language Angels Scheme of Work.

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)

There is a weekly Spanish assembly in KS1, where children learn Spanish songs. In KS2,
Spanish is taught once weekly. 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.