at Springfield

The Intent, Implementation and Impact of our MFL curriculum:

Our Approach (Intent)

Springfield uses the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils, using a wide variety of topics and themes. The ultimate aim is that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond key stage 2 and are able to apply their learning in a variety of contexts. We intend to lay down solid foundations for their future language learning and in doing so, help the children improve their overall attainment in other subject areas. In addition, the introduction of our ‘Language Experts in our class’ and ‘Language Assemblies’, where we promote the different home languages spoken by our EAL children, is in line with our ‘Just Like Me’ initiative:

‘… our aim is to increase cultural diversity in our classroom materials. We know that creating a culturally responsive curriculum and giving our children the chance to see themselves represented in the materials they are working with is not to be treated as a ‘nice-to-have’, but as a necessity to support and cater to our ever more varied classroom makeups.’

Aims and Objectives

For Staff:

• to promote a confident, positive attitude towards the learning of Spanish and promoting the ‘Languages of our class’.
• to offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences.
• to know where every child is at any point in their foreign language learning journey.
• to ensure pupils learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the language they are learning.
• encourage high expectations and high standards in their foreign language learning.

For Children:

• to develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages.
• to acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge
• to become life-long language learners.
• to increase their awareness of the roles and purposes of foreign language within different cultures.
• to foster an enjoyment and appreciation of foreign languages and a knowledge of the different cultures, food and countries of the EAL children in their class.

How MFL is implemented:

Currently we: 

• follow the Language Angels scheme of work
• implement the MFL curriculum progressively from Reception to Year 6, focusing on knowledge and skills in line with national DfE requirements.
• teach the children to acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes
• assess learning and progression at regular intervals in line with school policy, assessing each language skill (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
• provide weekly opportunities to learn about the languages, food, culture and countries of our EAL children through language celebration assemblies.
• facilitate a whole school approach to foreign language learning along with improved cultural awareness.

Where can you see the impact of our MFL curriculum?

• Photographs and evidence of MFL related work in our Learning Journeys
• Classroom and corridor displays
• The range and progression of activities featured in the Language Angels scheme of work.
• Assessments and evidence of the children’s understanding of Spanish after units are taught.
• Images and videos of the children’s practical learning.
• Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
• Moderation staff meetings where Learning Journey books are scrutinised and there is the opportunity for dialogue between teachers.
• Children’s annual school reports.

The Spanish program our children follow: