MFL at St. Anne's Catholic Primary School
MFL Lead: Ms Alba

At St. Anne's, we believe that learning a foreign language is an essential part of a well-rounded education, and we are proud to offer Spanish to our students from Year 3 to Year 6. Learning a second language, especially one as widely spoken as Spanish, opens up a world of opportunities for children. It not only helps them develop communication skills but also fosters cultural awareness and broadens their horizons.

From Year 3, our pupils embark on their Spanish language journey with fun, engaging, and interactive lessons. The focus in these early years is on building vocabulary and developing speaking skills. Our class teachers lead the lessons in Years 3 and 4, incorporating a variety of exciting activities such as games, role plays, songs, and stories. We use Kapow lesson plans to support our teaching. These methods ensure that the children learn through play and creativity, making Spanish both enjoyable and memorable.

As children move into Years 5 and 6, they benefit from the expertise of two native Spanish-speaking specialists. These teachers bring the language to life with lessons that connect directly to real-world situations, giving students a practical understanding of how Spanish is used in everyday life. The focus remains on speaking, but children are also introduced to reading and writing in Spanish, helping them develop a deeper understanding of how languages work.

Spanish phonics is an important part of our lessons to support students' pronunciation and understanding of the language. By learning the sounds of Spanish letters and letter combinations, children gain confidence in speaking and improve their ability to read and write in Spanish. This foundation in phonics helps them distinguish between similar words and enhances their overall communication skills in the language.

In addition to language skills, our Spanish curriculum at St. Anne's also introduces students to the rich traditions and geography of Spanish-speaking countries. Pupils learn about cultural festivals such as La Tomatina, as well as the diverse landscapes and regions of Spain and Latin America. Exploring these traditions and geographical features helps students appreciate the cultural richness and global significance of the Spanish-speaking world, further enriching their learning experience.

At St. Anne's, we are committed to making Spanish lessons dynamic and engaging, ensuring our pupils not only learn a valuable new language but also enjoy the process of discovery!