Benchill Primary MFL Curriculum
Intent
At Benchill Primary, our goal is to provide a vibrant and ambitious curriculum that inspires and excites students. We want every child to reach their full potential and continue studying languages beyond primary school. The curriculum is designed to be dynamic, updated annually to stay relevant, and meet or exceed national requirements.
We focus on four key language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, integrating necessary grammar in an age-appropriate manner. This foundation not only prepares students for future language learning but also enhances their overall academic performance. Our aim is to cultivate genuine interest and curiosity about languages, helping students understand other cultures and develop lifelong language learning skills.
Implementation
All classes at Benchill Primary will have access to a high-quality language curriculum. The Benchill Curriculum is designed to progressively develop students' language skills through regular, well-planned weekly lessons taught by class teachers.
The curriculum is structured around age-appropriate topics and themes, building students' vocabulary, language skills, and grammatical knowledge. Lessons are designed to be engaging and interactive, ensuring that all students, including those with special educational needs, can access the material.
Each lesson will focus on a combination of the key language skills and will include:
- Interactive whiteboard materials
- Games and songs
- Differentiated desk-based activities
- Worksheets at various levels of difficulty
Lessons are planned to motivate and captivate students from the start, with clear objectives and a variety of activities to reinforce learning. Each class has a timetabled language lesson of at least 30 minutes per week, with opportunities to revisit and consolidate knowledge.
Impact
Our curriculum ensures progressive learning and challenge, with units increasing in complexity as students advance. By the time they complete primary school, students will have developed a solid foundation in the language, enabling them to create longer, more complex pieces of spoken and written language.
Students' progress is regularly assessed, with self-assessment opportunities to help them track their own learning. Teachers use detailed planning documents and the Benchill Curriculum's tracking tools to monitor progress and ensure teaching is targeted and effective.
We aim for all students to make good or better progress in their language learning, with their achievements tracked and reported to parents and carers.
By fostering a love for languages and a deep understanding of other cultures, we prepare our students to be confident, curious, and competent language learners, ready for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Year 1: Helping Your Child Learn Spanish at Home
Key Knowledge:
- Introduction to basic Spanish vocabulary and phrases.
- Topics include greetings, numbers, colours, and common objects.
- Language skills: listening and speaking simple words and phrases.
Child-Friendly Websites:
- Duolingo Kids (https://www.duolingo.com/): Simple and engaging lessons for young learners.
- PBS Kids (https://pbskids.org/games/spanish/): Fun games and activities that introduce basic Spanish vocabulary.
Activities for Parents and Children:
- Colour and Number Games: Use flashcards to learn colours and numbers in Spanish. Play matching games with them.
- Sing Songs Together: Find simple Spanish songs on YouTube or Rockalingua and sing along with your child.
- Greet Each Other in Spanish: Practice greetings like "Hola" (Hello), "Adiós" (Goodbye), "Por favor" (Please), and "Gracias" (Thank you) daily.
Year 2: Helping Your Child Learn Spanish at Home
Key Knowledge:
- Building on basic vocabulary and simple phrases.
- Topics include family members, animals, food, and basic descriptions.
- Language skills: listening, speaking, and starting to read simple words and sentences.
Child-Friendly Websites:
- Duolingo Kids (https://www.duolingo.com/): Continued vocabulary practice with engaging lessons.
- CBeebies (https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies): Offers Spanish language games and songs suitable for young children.
Activities for Parents and Children:
- Label Household Items: Label items around the house in Spanish (e.g., “la silla” for chair, “el libro” for book).
- Family Tree: Create a family tree together and label each member in Spanish (e.g., “madre” for mother, “padre” for father).
- Animal Flashcards: Use animal flashcards to learn and practice animal names. Play games to match the animal names with pictures.
- Cook Simple Spanish Recipes: Prepare simple Spanish recipes together and learn related vocabulary (e.g., “manzana” for apple, “pan” for bread).
Year 3: Helping Your Child Learn Spanish at Home
Key Knowledge:
- Basic vocabulary and simple phrases.
- Topics include phonetics, introducing oneself, animals, and instruments.
- Language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing simple sentences.
Child-Friendly Websites:
- Duolingo (https://www.duolingo.com/): Short, game-like lessons to introduce basic vocabulary and phrases.
- Rockalingua (https://rockalingua.com/): Songs and interactive games to reinforce vocabulary.
Activities for Parents and Children:
- Label Household Items: Place labels on common household items in Spanish (e.g., “la mesa” for the table).
- Sing Songs Together: Use Rockalingua to find catchy Spanish songs and sing along.
- Flashcards: Create or print flashcards with basic vocabulary and play memory games.
Year 4: Helping Your Child Learn Spanish at Home
Key Knowledge:
- Building on basic vocabulary and starting simple conversations.
- Topics include family, classroom objects, basic descriptions, and weather.
- Language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing more complex sentences.
Child-Friendly Websites:
- SpanishDict (https://www.spanishdict.com/): Vocabulary lists, pronunciation guides, and grammar tips.
- BBC Bitesize (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zhsvr82): Educational resources for young learners.
Activities for Parents and Children:
- Role-Playing Conversations: Practice simple dialogues about daily routines or family.
- Weather Chart: Create a weather chart in Spanish and update it daily.
- Interactive Games: Use websites like SpanishDict for vocabulary games.
Year 5: Helping Your Child Learn Spanish at Home
Key Knowledge:
- Expanding vocabulary and understanding sentence structures.
- Topics include daily routines, home and hobbies, the Olympics, and clothing.
- Language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing paragraphs.
Child-Friendly Websites:
- Duolingo (https://www.duolingo.com/): Continued vocabulary and sentence practice.
- Rockalingua (https://rockalingua.com/): Songs, games, and activities.
Activities for Parents and Children:
- Storytelling: Create simple stories together using new vocabulary.
- Role-Playing: Act out daily routines or hobbies in Spanish.
- Cultural Videos: Watch videos about Spanish-speaking countries and discuss.
Year 6: Helping Your Child Learn Spanish at Home
Key Knowledge:
- More complex language use and cultural understanding.
- Topics include school life, healthy lifestyle, and historical topics like Vikings and Romans.
- Language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing longer texts.
Child-Friendly Websites:
- Duolingo (https://www.duolingo.com/): Advanced lessons for more complex language practice.
- SpanishDict (https://www.spanishdict.com/): Comprehensive grammar and vocabulary resources.
Activities for Parents and Children:
- Reading and Writing: Read short stories or articles in Spanish and discuss.
- Cultural Exploration: Learn about Spanish-speaking cultures and their history.
- Cooking Together: Make traditional Spanish dishes and learn related vocabulary.
