Phonics
Twenty phonemes are introduced through dedicated phonics lessons. These are taught at the start of each school year. The phonemes are then revisited numerous times in each of the units within the various teaching types. As pupils move through the teaching types, the previous phonemes are consolidated and revised.
As well as the phonemes, pupils will also encounter the Spanish linguistic and grammatical concepts as they progress through our units.
Curriculum Design and Progression
At St Joseph’s, we aim to foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world by enabling them to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing.
Our teaching of Spanish is supported by Language Angels, who provide a progressive scheme of work on which our curriculum is based, and interactive resources for the teaching of conversing, reading and writing in Spanish. The Language Angels scheme of work and resources 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. Discrete lessons are delivered with learning blocked to allow for clear progression in the acquisition of knowledge built on prior learning. Knowledge Organisers and key vocabulary displays provide and illustrate specific key knowledge and vocabulary that we want all children to understand and use fluently.
Progressively, pupils develop confidence communicating in Spanish as they revisit, revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Assessment and Monitoring
Throughout each unit, pupils are assessed against the National Curriculum attainment targets. The opportunity to assess pupils learning and progression in the key language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing is provided at the end of each teaching unit.
Teachers record, analyse and access data easily using the Tracking and Progression Tool within Language Angels. Assessment data is submitted by the Subject Leader, who uses this data to ensure teaching is targeted and appropriate for each pupil, class and year group as well as to feedback on progress.
Knowledge of Spain and Spanish Culture
Our aim is to develop the confidence and competence of each child in the foreign language they are learning. Our goal is for them to be passionate, curious and confident about their own foreign language learning abilities when they finish St Joseph’s.
Children are taught about Spain to develop their awareness of different cultures and social customs. This starts in Year 3 with the unit of ‘I’m Learning Spanish’. The children identify Spain and other Spanish speaking countries on a map of the world.
