Spanish at Ryedene
“We are linguists”
Subject Leader: Miss Walker
My name is Miss Walker, and I am the Subject Lead for Spanish. I believe that learning a new language is important as it not only helps children to communicate with others but also allows them to discover and appreciate different cultures. Spanish is a wonderful subject that takes children on an exciting new adventure. They have the opportunity to discover a new language while learning about Spanish culture, traditions and ways of life. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching Spanish is watching children develop the confidence to converse in a new language. It is particularly lovely when children share that they have used their Spanish skills while on holiday to communicate with others. I believe that learning a new language gives children the opportunity to express themselves, understand others and build confidence as they develop their communication skills. It is a valuable skill that can open their minds to the wider world and inspire a lifelong interest in languages and other cultures.
Vision: The vision for Spanish at Ryedene is to understand and respond to spoken and written language as well as speaking with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity. Children will also find ways of communicating what they want to say and continually improving on their pronunciation and intonation. As children progress with their reading and writing skills, they will have an opportunity to write and varrying lengths using the correct grammar. By the time children leave Ryedene, we hope they will have developed a strong foundation in Spanish, a genuine enthusiasm for languages and a great sense of achievement. Our aim is for them to progress to secondary school as confident, enthusiastic and capable linguists, ready to continue their language-learning journey.
What we are teaching in Spanish: At Ryedene Primary School, Spanish will be taught once a week, with each lesson lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. Our Spanish curriculum is carefully structured to support children’s language development, progressing from Early Language Teaching to Progressive and then Intermediate Language Teaching as pupils move through the upper key stages. In the early stages, children will develop a strong foundation in Spanish by learning basic greetings, introductions and numbers up to 30. As they progress, they will build on this knowledge by developing their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Children will begin to engage in more detailed conversations and develop their understanding of Spanish grammar, including the use of masculine and feminine nouns and the correct determiners. Our aim is to ensure that children continually build on their prior learning, developing their confidence and accuracy in Spanish as they progress through the school.
How we teach Spanish: At Ryedene, Spanish is taught throughout Key Stage 2 and is delivered by class teachers and cover teachers, who all follow the Language Angels scheme of work. Each year group will study six units across the academic year, with each unit designed to develop children’s vocabulary, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Throughout each unit, children will complete a range of vocabulary tasks to develop and consolidate their understanding of key words and phrases. They will also complete reading and writing activities, allowing them to apply their new vocabulary and develop their confidence in using Spanish independently. At the end of each unit, children will complete a self-assessment sheet, reflecting on their learning and identifying how well they have understood and applied the knowledge and skills taught. Lessons will incorporate a range of teaching strategies, including listening and repeating, retrieval, recall and regular consolidation. This will support children in retaining new vocabulary and building their confidence when communicating in Spanish. Teachers will follow the carefully constructed Long-Term Plans, which provide a clear progression of knowledge and skills across each unit and year group. This ensures that children continually build on their prior learning and develop their Spanish language skills as they progress through Key Stage 2.
Impact – what the children have learnt: At Ryedene, children enjoy learning Spanish and embrace the opportunity to develop a new language. Many children are excited to share that they have used their Spanish skills while on holiday, demonstrating how their learning can be applied in real-life situations. Spanish is an inclusive subject that is accessible and enjoyable for all children. Throughout Key Stage 2, all learning is recorded in each child’s Modern Foreign Languages book, which moves with them into their next year group. This allows children to revisit previous learning, celebrate their progress and build on their knowledge year after year. Towards the end of the academic year, children take part in a Spanish Day, where they have the opportunity to celebrate their learning and showcase the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout the year. This exciting event encourages children to apply their prior learning with confidence and enthusiasm.