MFL
Why Learn A Language?
“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” – Confucius
MFL Intent
At Fishtoft Academy, we believe that learning a foreign language is a necessary part of being a member of a multi-cultural society and provides a window to other cultures. We believe all learners should have access to a high-quality languages education which should nurture their curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.
Through well sequenced lessons we aim to ensure that by the end of our learners’ primary education, our learners will have acquired an understanding of both spoken and written use of another language, a confidence to speak it with others and a knowledge of how important other languages can be in their future.
What language do we teach and why?
At Fishtoft Academy, our chosen MFL is Spanish.
There are several reasons for our choice:
- Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn.
- It is the most widely spoken languages in the world after English, being spoken not only in Spain but in Latin America.
- Spanish is the predominant language taught within the local secondary schools that we feed into.
Implementation of MFL in Year 3 – Year 6
All KS2 pupils will have access to a high-quality foreign language (Spanish) curriculum using the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in Spanish through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons lasting for between 30 and 40 minutes, facilitated by class teachers.
Learners will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes – building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language.
Lessons offering appropriate levels of challenge and stretch will be taught at all times to ensure pupils learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for Spanish.
In lower KS2, Early Language units will be delivered. These are entry level units and are designed for those with little or no previous foreign language learning experience.
As they move through the academy, they will then move onto Intermediate units, which increase the level of challenge by increasing the amount and complexity (including foreign language grammar concepts) of the foreign language presented to pupils. These are designed for pupils with embedded basic knowledge of Spanish.
Learners will be taught how to listen and read longer pieces of text gradually and they will have ample opportunities to speak, listen to, read and write Spanish with and without scaffolds, frames and varying levels of support.
Each teaching unit is divided into 6 lessons:
- Each unit and its associated lessons have clearly defined objectives and aims.
- Each lesson incorporates interactive whiteboard materials which include ample speaking and listening tasks led by native language speakers.
- All lessons incorporate differentiated activities to provide appropriate levels of stretch and challenge.
- Reading and writing activities are included in all units.
- Every unit also includes a grammar concept which will increase in complexity as pupils move from Early Language units to Intermediate.
- We start with nouns and articles and 1st person singular of high frequency verbs in Early Learning
Click here to access our long-term overview for MFL.
- We move on to the use of the possessive, the concept of adjectives, use of the negative form, conjunctions/connectives and introduce the concept of whole regular verb conjugation in Intermediate
Click the link below to see what our Curriculum Drivers look like in MFL:
MFL Curriculum Drivers – Fishtoft Academy
You can find out more about how our MFL curriculum supports the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Emotional development of our learners by clicking the link below:
