Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Policy
Blyth Morpeth Road Primary Academy
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Policy
1
Aims and objectives
1.1 At Morpeth Road Primary Academy we aim to develop children’s experience of
language acquisition and encourage curiosity about languages. To develop their
understanding of what they hear and read, and have an ability to express
themselves in speech and writing. Children extend their knowledge of how
language works and explore differences between Spanish and English. Children
are given the opportunity to strengthen their sense of identity through learning
about culture in Spanish speaking countries and comparing it with their own culture.
1.2 Through the teaching of Spanish we aim to:
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Ensure every child has the opportunity throughout Key Stage 2 to study
Spanish and to develop their interest in the culture of other countries.

Ensure children’s language learning is enriched in a broad curriculum which
provides the children with high quality teaching and learning opportunities.

Provide language teaching from the five areas of – Listening, Speaking,
Reading, Writing and Cultural understanding.
2
The legal position of modern foreign languages
2.1
As part of a new primary National Curriculum, taking effect from September
2014, learning a foreign language has become a requirement for children within
KS2. Morpeth Road Primary Academy has introduced Spanish over the last 2
years and provides children with the opportunity to develop their language skills
year on year from year 3 to year 6.
3
Teaching and learning style
3.1
Teaching is in line with the recommendations of the National Curriculum, with
modifications in place which allow for the individual and differentiated needs of
the children. It takes full account of the different experiences, strengths and
interests of the children whilst also complying with the requirements and
guidance on inclusion
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The national curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils:
Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of
authentic sources.
Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of
communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking
questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and
intonation.
Can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the
variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.
Discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language
studied.
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Policy
3.2
Spanish is taught in a whole-class setting by the language
specialist/coordinator. Each KS2 class receives approximately 60 minutes per
week of Spanish teaching.
3.3
Our teaching and learning styles in Spanish enable children to build their
knowledge week on week in order to embed their learning. A practical approach
is taken within language learning whereby children sing songs, play games and
learn rhymes in order to encourage and support their language learning.
4
Curriculum planning in religious education
4.1
Our Spanish planning is based on the North Tyneside scheme of work. Topics
and objectives are taken from the scheme and adapted in a way which will meet
the needs of our students. We ensure learning is built up week on week from
year 3 so that by year 6 children will meet all the requirements of the national
curriculum at the end of KS2.
4.2
Curriculum planning in Spanish is carried out in three phases (long-term,
medium-term and short-term). The long-term plan shows the topics for each
term for a particular year group. Our medium term plan contains the objectives
for each term and the short term plan show individual lesson plans. The MFL
subject coordinator devises these plans in line with the scheme of work.
5
MFL and inclusion
5.1
All pupils in KS2 have the opportunity to develop their language skills and
capabilities. At Morpeth Road we teach Spanish to all children despite what
individual needs they may have. Learning opportunities that enable all children
to develop their language learning are provided through differentiated activities
and support from teaching staff
6
Assessment for learning
6.1
Informal assessment of progress is made by the language provider during
lessons through questioning and oral feedback. ‘I can’ statements are
highlighted in books to show progress along with an additional comment where
appropriate. After every piece of work in children’s books a record of their
achievement is kept which enables the language provider to understand the
children’s capabilities in the subject. This will then be used when setting future
tasks.
7
Resources
7.1
A wide range of resources is available for all year groups. The ‘Español,
Español’ resources are widely used for songs and rhymes and to provide
children with the opportunity to listen to native speakers. Other resources are
also available which include, Spanish games, flashcards, pairing cards, number
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Policy
beanbags, colour beanbags, a calendar displaying days, months and the
weather along with a whole class set of Spanish dictionaries.
8 Monitoring and review
8.1
The language coordinator is responsible for the planning and the delivery of all
Spanish lessons across KS2. The Knowledge and Understanding of the World
coordinator is responsible for monitoring the standards of the children’s work
and the quality of the teaching in Spanish.
8.2
This policy will be reviewed every two years.
Signed: Eleanor Caster
Date written: October 2016
Next Review: October 2018