Modern Foreign Languages

Spanish Trip Parent information video

The Curriculum Intention

‘Every child is a linguist.’

All students at Lawnswood learn French from Year 7. Some students get the opportunity to study Spanish or German as a second language from Year 8.

We teach a languages curriculum from KS3-5 which

Is built around the three pillars of phonics, vocabulary and grammar
Uses strategies for language learning based on the most up-to-date-research on all students making maximum progress in languages
Focuses on giving students a strong linguistic foundation and the building blocks of language

Our 3 key aims for all students:	How we achieve this:
Broadening Horizons	Learning a language is a doorway to the world. Learning about customs and traditions of French-, Spanish-, and German – speaking countries across the world. Allowing learners to: Access art, culture, theatre, literature Connect with people who speak the language and their cultures through trips, visits and visiting speakers Understand links between language learning skills and future study and careers Access opportunities to travel, build relationships, study or work abroad
Fostering curiosity	Curiosity about language – becoming a linguist: About language: Teaches how English works as well as foreign languages Inspires curiosity around own language, whether English or another home language Teaches a strong linguistic foundation that students can build on in later life whether learning the same or as different language About the world: Includes cultural input in the to put the language in context. Teaches about countries that speak the language and their cultures Explores language and culture in a variety of extra-curricular activities – Trips, visits, Film club, MFL ICT club, Spelling Bee, Language Leaders
Developing Transferrable Skills	In lessons we highlight the skills that students learn through language learning and link these with other applications in the world. These skills are: Resilience Confidence Empathy – both towards classmates and in wider world Adaptability Quick Thinking Clarity of communication Problem-solving Team working

Our 3 key aims for all students:

How we achieve this:

Broadening Horizons

Learning a language is a doorway to the world.

Learning about customs and traditions of French-, Spanish-, and German – speaking countries across the world. Allowing learners to:

Access art, culture, theatre, literature
Connect with people who speak the language and their cultures through trips, visits and visiting speakers
Understand links between language learning skills and future study and careers
Access opportunities to travel, build relationships, study or work abroad

Fostering curiosity

Curiosity about language – becoming a linguist:

About language:

Teaches how English works as well as foreign languages
Inspires curiosity around own language, whether English or another home language
Teaches a strong linguistic foundation that students can build on in later life whether learning the same or as different language

About the world:

Includes cultural input in the to put the language in context.
Teaches about countries that speak the language and their cultures
Explores language and culture in a variety of extra-curricular activities – Trips, visits, Film club, MFL ICT club, Spelling Bee, Language Leaders

Developing Transferrable Skills

In lessons we highlight the skills that students learn through language learning and link these with other applications in the world.

These skills are:

Resilience
Confidence
Empathy – both towards classmates and in wider world
Adaptability
Quick Thinking
Clarity of communication
Problem-solving
Team working

The Implementation; how the Lawnswood Links are addressed

Learning Journeys

Confidence

Confidence is a key skill developed in language learning.

Through facilitating kind classroom environments where students feel safe to have a go, to make mistakes, teachers support students to develop their confidence through:

Phonics work and immediate teacher feedback on this in every lesson – builds confidence in speaking and listening
Structured, step-by-step development of grammar learning– builds a strong grammar foundation and gives confidence in applying grammar rules in order to communicate clearly and be understood
Pair or group work speaking activities in at least 50% of lessons with immediate peer feedback – builds confidence in communicating in the language

Ambition

Through broadening student horizons, students become more aware of the wider world and opportunities and pathways they could aspire to in future, whether in their personal or work life.

Language learning gives students inspiration and skills to support them to have different experiences and more choice in life. For example:

Connecting with different people, countries and cultures
Engaging with Focus On Your Future work comprising lessons, trips, visits, and speakers relating to careers with languages or with the transferrable skills gained through learning a language
Increased awareness of transferrable skills for future study and career opportunities, so students know what an asset these are and to include them in personal statements for colleges, sixth forms, universities, apprenticeships and jobs

Communication

Language is communication.

In every language lesson students are developing their communication skills in listening and reading as well as speaking and writing in both English and the foreign language.

For example:

Through pair, group and whole class work, develop speaking and listening skills
Through speaking and writing activities develop the skills to choose words and phrases to use to communicate a message clearly
Through working with different texts, poems, articles, increase awareness of style and register of writing
Through exploring and sharing views on culture, develop skills on forming and giving opinions, summarising learning and engaging in meaningful conversation

Through implementing our curriculum intention, we also cover all points in the national curriculum.

Modern Foreign Languages

Spanish Trip Parent information video

The Curriculum Intention

The Implementation; how the Lawnswood Links are addressed

Learning Journeys

Confidence

Ambition

Communication

Get the latest from @lawnswoodschool

Get the latest from
@lawnswoodschool