National Curriculum and Curriculum Information
The National curriculum for Languages aims to ensure that all pupils:
understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.
National Curriculum - Foreign Language Key Stage 2 requirements
Pupils should be taught to:
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.
The starred (*) content above will not be applicable to ancient languages.
Whilst learning a new language at Ethelbert Road, vocabulary, phonetics and grammar will be introduced in a carefully planned manner for each year group in an age appropriate manner.
Frequent practice of new language and reinforcement through repetition across their Spanish journey at Ethelbert Road will enable the new vocabulary, grammar and phonetics to be stored in long term memory. Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills will all be enhanced through this approach also. Vocabulary will include cognates and frequently occurring key words for each topic, building the children's confidence in their ability, whilst scaffolding and building learning sequentially.
Curriculum and Long Term Plan
Ethelbert Road's whole school curriculum has been developed, and continues to be developed, by Mrs Taylor. It draws on the use of key topic texts - picture books, poems, information books and engaging topics that, where possible, relate to the children's topics learning in their year group. These texts can be found in the "Key Texts for Teaching Spanish" area of the Spanish Curriculum information page. Spanish planning, whilst covering the key skills outlined in the National Curriculum, is always age and cohort appropriate. It is flexible in nature with a view of maintaining engagement, enthusiasm and developing confidence for all children in our school.
As well as developing a vast array of her own resources, Mrs Taylor uses Lightbulb Languages and Rachel Hawke's schemes of work to support and enhance teaching and learning across the whole school Spanish curriculum. We have just bought into Physical Spanish Phonics and will be developing the delivery of Spanish phonics to further enhance the children's knowledge and understanding from Jan 2022.
Progression of Skills and Vocabulary
Although the National Curriculum only sets out the Key Stage 2 programme of study, the following document demonstrates the progression of skills across the school - from Reception to Year 6.
During their time at Ethelbert Road, children will have built a figurative memory file which will include approximately 500 words (a range of adjectives, nouns, high frequency verbs, adverbs) related to the topics learnt across the whole school as well as an understanding of nouns; gender and adjectival agreement. They learn the ability to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense which will empower them to structure their own sentences. Children develop an appreciation of other cultures and customs and demonstrate the confidence that they will have the tools to enable them to learn any language at Secondary School and in the future.
The following document highlights the key basic vocabulary that is covered by each topic throughout their learning journey at Ethelbert Road. For each topic, children are always keen to expand upon the basic vocabulary that is set and each term brings additional language that is learnt through children's own engagement and enthusiasm for each topic and dictionary usage.
We have recently given families the option to login to Duolingo classroom outside of school in order to continue to develop their language learning skills.