Spanish
Languages Curriculum Intent
Knowledge
Languages at their heart are all about words and meaning, and that is what students explore when they begin learning a second language. As they cover new topics, they learn vocabulary which enables them to describe the world around them, along with grammar which enables them to accurately construct the language that they have acquired, in order to effectively communicate. As well as this, students will also gain an understanding and appreciation of new cultures, which can at times be worlds apart from what they are accustomed to.
Purpose
Language learning requires a great deal of open-mindedness. A willingness to accept that within the family of European languages, English is actually often the anomaly, can sometimes be hard for students to understand. As well as learning how to communicate effectively in the foreign language, students also gain a greater understanding of their mother tongue, both in terms of grammatical awareness and etymology.
Proactivity
Curiosity – In language lessons, students are constantly encouraged to think logically, and apply their knowledge of etymological and grammatical patterns to help them read, understand, translate and create language for themselves. How do you know that this is an infinitive? How do you know that this is written in the first person? What part of this word do you recognise already? What might it mean?
Commitment – Commitment to learning and study is a vital part of the process of language acquisition. To see progress in their communicative abilities, students are regularly encouraged to complete activities, both in and outside of lessons, which require them to revise and repeat vocabulary and structures, to help embed them in their long-term memory.
Courage – Languages are a great way to instil confidence and resilience in students. They enable students to develop cognitive skills – if a they cannot remember the correct word for something, they are forced to use language creatively to articulate what they are able to. As well as this, they constantly require students to step outside of their comfort zone. In lessons, students are required to read words that may be unfamiliar, and change the way that they speak to adopt a more authentic sounding accent, and, best of all, they are encouraged to take part in visits and foreign exchanges.
