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 Modern Foreign Languages

Intent: 

We believe that learning a foreign language prepares our pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are often carried out in languages other than English. The rise of international commerce means that pupils need to be equipped with the skills needed in the international workplace. The choice of which language to teach is secondary to the lifelong language learning skills that the pupils will be encouraged to develop. Skills that they will be able to access in the future will help them to learn new languages or to improve their competence in an existing language. Learning another language also means our pupils learn about another culture and way of life, thus promoting and developing a broader intercultural understanding and curiosity about the world. The study of a second language also supports children’s literacy and oracy in school by raising awareness of aspects of their own language(s), thereby enriching their understanding of both. Increased capability in the use of MFL promotes initiative, confidence and independent learning and encourages diversity and acceptance within society.

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Implementation

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Spanish is taught in Years 3-6 as part of the national entitlement to the study of a second language. Years 1-6 are also presented with a ‘Spanish Word of the Week’ every Friday in assembly to promote Spanish across the school. While paused during Covid, this will restart in January 2022. Our aim is to support pupils to develop an enthusiastic and positive attitude to other languages and language learning. We hope to encourage a life-long learning of languages among our pupils in order to enhance their understanding of the world and their future economic well-being.

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We follow the iLanguages scheme of work which covers National Curriculum requirements and a variety of learning styles. We also have a link with rural schools in Asturias, Spain. This is a penpal project for some Year 4-6 children. Originally set up via the e-Twinning portal, it allows our children to improve their Spanish and increase their intercultural understanding, sharing videos, letters and creative projects with their Spanish peers. Year 3 also have a topic on Spain where they learn about the geography of the country.

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Hague has also successfully won an Erasmus+ mobility grant to increase teachers' subject knowledge and confidence in teaching Spanish to our students, whereby a group of teachers will be going on a language course in Malaga in 2022. 

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