Why We Study Spanish
Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world; it encourages them to understand their own cultures and those of others. Through learning other languages they improve their linguistic skills and extend their knowledge of how languages work; it helps them to develop their communication and literacy skills. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world with approximately 400 million native speakers and, according to research from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Spain was still the top holiday choice for thousands of Britons in 2018, with over 13 million British tourists travelling to Spanish speaking destinations.
How We Teach Spanish
A multi-sensory and kinaesthetic approach to teaching is used to develop the children’s oral skills with some written elements; lessons have an emphasis on the use of practical activities that are dynamic and fun. Teachers make lessons as enjoyable as possible so that children develop a positive attitude to learning of Spanish. Children’s confidence is increased by praise for any contribution they make, however tentative. We must remember that learning any language (even our native one) requires practice, repetition and mistake making.
The lessons offer songs, rhymes, games and stories, which enable the pupils to practise the sounds of the language in an enjoyable and non-threatening way.
The children engage in conversations, at appropriate levels, reacting to instructions and questions and expressing opinions and feelings.
The learning of Spanish has been created to allow the children to build upon previously learning.
What Is Special About Spanish In Our School
Languages are a part of the day-to-day life of the school. The register and daily greetings are performed in Spanish across all of the KS2 classes; and wherever and whenever possible, Spanish is used for instructions within the classroom e.g. opening/shutting books, turning lights on or off etc.
The children begin their learning with the features of the classroom and instructional language, as this is seen as their ‘home’ language, therefore a familiar and comfortable setting to start in.
We base our reading on nursery level books because of their simple structure and repetitive nature, thus allowing an easier access to understanding within another language.
As the children progress through KS2, and in their Spanish learning, we move from a model with lots of speaking and listening to an increased amount in reading and writing.