Languages
Languages are an integral part of the curriculum. Learning a language is ‘a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures’.- Ofsted 2021
Curriculum Intent
Since September 2014, the new National Curriculum has made learning a language compulsory in Key Stage 2. At Windmill Primary School we use the Primary Languages Network (PLN) to support our teaching and learning of languages. Many schools only offer the language that teachers feel most able to cope with, however, PLN is a scheme that enables children to be taught by a native language speaker through a carefully planned sequence of online lessons. Children at Windmill Primary School learn stages 1 and 2 of French in years 3 and 4 and in Spanish in years 5 and 6. We work to ensure that children develop a love of languages and the necessary skills to progress this at a higher level once they leave primary school.
Curriculum Implementation
Children develop and use the four skills of learning a modern foreign language: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The Primary Languages Network programme of study enables teachers to provide complete curriculum coverage and to assess and monitor children’s progress using the tools provided. Children acquire vocabulary in the language they are learning by experiencing and creating a range of different materials, including games, songs, stories and creative tasks.
How we teach MFL
Modern Foreign Languages is taught weekly, for a minimum of thirty minutes. Teachers also take opportunities during the week to revisit vocabulary as evidence shows that languages are best learnt in an immersive environment.
What a ‘typical’ lesson looks like
Each lesson contains around 30 minutes of content, including opportunities to revisit previous learning before progressing. The lessons often begin with a story or song, with which the children can interact. This enables them to feel confident in using the language as a whole class group. The native speaker demonstrates verbal and written vocabulary, linked to the term’s theme, which children are encouraged to learn using a my turn, your turn style, followed by some partner or group vocabulary. The class teacher then leads a task, which is usually a game, to embed the vocabulary orally and assess the progress of individual learners. Children further embed their understanding by writing the vocabulary from the lesson, this is often in the style of a poster or picture.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs
Pupils with SEND may find they cannot fully access all four strands of the teaching, in which case they receive targeted support to further extend their knowledge and understanding using the strands that are most accessible to them. For example: a child might find writing difficult and therefore could practice more speaking and listening activities.
Curriculum Impact
Children leave Windmill Primary School having learnt the basics of two different languages , developing skills in the four areas of language learning (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and having developed confidence in and enjoyment of Modern Foreign Languages as a subject. This sets them up well to make good progress at secondary school.
Progression of Core Skills
Year 3 French Overview
Year 4 French Overview
Year 5 French Overview
Year 6 Spanish Overview
