Foreign Languages
Intent
At St James we foster a love of language learning from an early age. We are fortunate that many of our pupils already speak at least two languages before they start school. This helps them feel confident to try learning different languages. We aim to teach not just the language but also to understand how different languages work and relate to English and each other. Learning a new language also gives us the opportunity to explore different ways of viewing the world which helps us communicate and build relationships with people from other backgrounds. It also opens up the world for work and study opportunities in later life. It trains the brain to see patterns and try new challenges. We focus on the skills of listening and speaking to begin with then move on to include reading and writing. Our aim is that the children will enjoy the experience of language learning and be confident learners, ready for high school no matter what language they will be offered there.
Implementation
The entitlement to Foreign Language lessons is for a weekly lesson from Year 3 to Year 6 but at St James we also have a short weekly session in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 with songs and games involving basic words and phrases such as numbers and colours. The KS2 curriculum builds year on year in half termly units with child friendly topics such as “My Family”, “Describing People”, “Hobbies” and some units that tie in with the wider curriculum such as “The Planets”. We mostly learn Spanish but have a short unit of Mandarin each spring term to coincide with Chinese New Year. Lessons are mainly communicative with lots of role-play, with some reading and writing. The level of challenge increases as children move up the school, building on the previous year's learning. There are opportunities to explore Spanish books and use bilingual dictionaries.
Impact
At the end of each unit there is a very short assessment which involves one or more of the four skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading or Writing.
Progression
Please see the file below.
At St James we foster a love of language learning from an early age. We are fortunate that many of our pupils already speak at least two languages before they start school. This helps them feel confident to try learning different languages. We aim to teach not just the language but also to understand how different languages work and relate to English and each other. Learning a new language also gives us the opportunity to explore different ways of viewing the world which helps us communicate and build relationships with people from other backgrounds. It also opens up the world for work and study opportunities in later life. It trains the brain to see patterns and try new challenges. We focus on the skills of listening and speaking to begin with then move on to include reading and writing. Our aim is that the children will enjoy the experience of language learning and be confident learners, ready for high school no matter what language they will be offered there.
Implementation
The entitlement to Foreign Language lessons is for a weekly lesson from Year 3 to Year 6 but at St James we also have a short weekly session in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 with songs and games involving basic words and phrases such as numbers and colours. The KS2 curriculum builds year on year in half termly units with child friendly topics such as “My Family”, “Describing People”, “Hobbies” and some units that tie in with the wider curriculum such as “The Planets”. We mostly learn Spanish but have a short unit of Mandarin each spring term to coincide with Chinese New Year. Lessons are mainly communicative with lots of role-play, with some reading and writing. The level of challenge increases as children move up the school, building on the previous year's learning. There are opportunities to explore Spanish books and use bilingual dictionaries.
Impact
At the end of each unit there is a very short assessment which involves one or more of the four skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading or Writing.
Progression
Please see the file below.
| Languages Overview |
National Curriculum Link
www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-languages-progammes-of-study
International Mother Language Day
www.un.org/en/observances/mother-language-day
