Languages

Intent

The intent of teaching Modern Foreign Language (MFL) in Radley Primary School is to foster a deep curiosity and appreciation for different languages and cultures, as well as to equip our pupils with the skills necessary to communicate effectively in a globalized world. We aim to create an inclusive and stimulating learning environment that enables all pupils, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, to develop a solid foundation in Spanish and nurture a lifelong love for languages.

Through our MFL curriculum, we intend to:

• Develop cultural awareness: By exposing our pupils to different languages and cultures, we aim to broaden their horizons and enhance their understanding of global diversity.
• Foster communicative competence: Our curriculum emphasizes the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to enable pupils to communicate effectively in the target language.
• Promote positive attitudes towards language learning: We strive to create a positive and supportive environment that encourages pupils to become confident and motivated language learners.
• Support cognitive development: Learning a second language has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills. We aim to harness these benefits through our MFL curriculum.

Implementation

Our MFL curriculum is carefully designed and implemented to ensure outstanding provision.

The following strategies and practices guide our implementation:

Well-structured curriculum

• We have developed a comprehensive and progressive MFL curriculum that is mapped to national guidelines and ensures continuity and progression across year groups.
• Our curriculum covers a broad range of language skills, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with an appropriate balance between the different aspects.
• Our curriculum incorporates cultural elements to enhance pupils' understanding and appreciation of diverse traditions, festivals, and customs.

High-quality teaching

• Lessons are carefully planned to be engaging, inclusive, and differentiated to meet the needs of all learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
• We utilise a range of teaching strategies, including immersive language activities, interactive resources, and real-life scenarios that promote authentic language use and foster a love for learning languages.
• Authentic resources, such as story books, songs, videos, and cultural artifacts, are integrated into lessons to provide real-world context and make language learning meaningful and enjoyable.

Assessment and feedback

• We utilise a variety of formative and summative assessment strategies to assess pupils' progress in MFL. This includes regular formative assessments during lessons as well as quizzes as a summative measure. 
• Feedback is provided in a timely manner, focusing on identifying strengths and areas for improvement, as well as providing specific guidance on how to enhance language skills.
• Pupils are actively involved in the assessment process, engaging in self-assessment and peer assessment activities to develop metacognitive skills and take ownership of their learning.

Impact

Our outstanding provision of MFL is evidenced by the impact it has on our pupils:

• Pupils achieve excellent outcomes, demonstrating linguistic competence and cultural sensitivity in the target language.
• Pupils develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards language learning, with many choosing to continue studying languages at secondary school and beyond.
• Pupils' cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking, are enhanced through the study of MFL, leading to improved performance across the curriculum.
• Pupils show a greater empathy and appreciation for different cultures, leading to increased tolerance and respect for others in our diverse society.
• The wider school community, including staff and governors, recognise the value and impact of MFL provision, actively promoting and celebrating language learning initiatives.