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Foreign Languages

“Empowering children to shape the world of tomorrow”

Learning a foreign language shows a willingness to be responsive to the culture whose language is being studied. Besides promoting the acquisition of linguistic skills, language also fosters tolerance and respect for others, and an appreciation of their skills and achievements. Elmridge Primary School acknowledges the importance of cross-cultural understanding and this is reflected in the inclusion of foreign language as an integral part of the school curriculum. The aims of foreign language teaching:

  • to develop the ability to communicate with native speakers of other languages
  • to develop awareness of our geographical location and culture within a wider European and world context
  • to give pupils an insight into the workings of their own language through comparative language study
  • to promote respect and integration within the class through role play, pair work and team games
  • to support the transition to Key Stage 3 where language learning is compulsory
  • to improve skills in other subjects through cross-curricular links
  • to foster tolerance and respect for other cultures
  • to heighten pupils’ awareness of careers that require foreign language skills

Foreign language – Spanish at present – is taught at Elmridge. We use Primary Languages Network to support the delivery of National Curriculum 2014.  Spanish is taught to pupils in Reception and Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on a weekly basis. Lessons are taught by the class teachers in a main teaching session. The duration of the lessons are 20 minutes in Reception, 30 minutes in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 progressing to 40 minutes in Years 5 & 6.

The aim of the teaching is that the pupils do not simply learn skills and vocabulary relating solely to individual topics, but learn transferable skills that can be built upon throughout the age ranges. In Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 more topic-based work is incorporated into lessons but the main focus of lessons is nevertheless skill development as opposed to simply vocabulary acquisition.

Teaching methods aim to develop the pupils’ ability in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The representation of the four skills in the schemes of work alters as pupils move through the school with lessons in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One being more speaking and listening based. Reading and writing have a higher profile in Key Stage Two. Pupils’ skills are developed with links made to the school’s scheme of work and the National Curriculum.

Knowledge Organisers

Proud to part of the Bright Futures Education Trust
Elmridge Primary School
Wilton Drive, Hale Barns
Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 0JF
CEOP