Modern Foreign Languages

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Our principal aim is that children leave High Halstow with a wide range of happy and rich memories in language formed through interesting and exciting experiences driven through vehicles that enhance a child’s awareness of their own abilities and strengths as a learner, thus ensuring that children see learning a foreign language as an ongoing process and not a one-off event. Children will meet the National Curriculum expectations in MFL, which will be taught by highly-qualified staff who will support children to develop the mastery of concepts and inspire enthusiasm and interest in the subject.

All Key Stage Two children will study foreign languages for an hour a week. Opportunities will exist for children of all ages to experience learning beyond the classroom. This will allow them to enrich their knowledge by, for example, visitors to school who may read stories in the language or share their experiences of living abroad. Children will develop a deep understanding of the subjects they are studying. They will increasingly use their prior knowledge to solve problems and develop the sophistication of using a foreign language.

Children will understand how British Values relate to learning about foreign languages and culture. Whilst learning a modern foreign language, children will develop the skills to appropriately understand, speak, read, write and transcribe phrases, as well as use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures.

The subject leader for MFL will meet the senior leadership team and representatives from the Trust on a regular basis to evaluate provision in order to ensure that teaching and learning in MFL is highly effective. Where necessary, staff will receive coaching and training in the Spanish language. Subject specialists from Trust secondary academies will continue to support this process and aid transition to Key Stage 3. Where possible, carefully designed, interleaved learning in MFL will be used to ensure consistency and develop the knowledge and understanding of all learners.

Clearly defined end goals are set in order to guide children to achieve their potential. This ensures work is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum while still fulfilling the requirements of a PYP approach. High quality teaching responds to the needs of children, with teachers actively responding to learning, understanding and work in lessons in order to identify misconceptions early. High quality input from experts and educational resources complement the delivery of language learning admirably. Children understand how foreign languages are used in the wider world including careers.

Assessment

Children are happy, feel cared for, and have excellent relationships with others. They know how to deal with challenges and have a range of strategies to overcome them. Through learning a foreign language, children deepen their appreciation of other cultures and enhance their international mindedness. Cultural capital opportunities have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.

Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in MFL, reflected in outstanding progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in Spanish and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education. Discussions with pupils and book reviews reveal their enjoyment of the subject. These indicators reflect the impact of deep learning.

Clear outcomes focus and guide MFL development plans and drive improvement. Fundamental British Values are evident in the school and understood by all members of the community. Through wider reading and experiences in Spanish, children will gain an appreciation and understanding of the country and some of its historical links to other parts of the world and historical events. It also allows for the British Values of tolerance and respect to be highlighted, understood and practised by children.