MFL

At Windmill Academy we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills, particularly in speaking and listening but also reading and writing. It extends their knowledge of how language works and reinforces their understanding of English grammar. Learning another language increases children’s awareness of the world, encouraging them to understand their own culture and traditions while finding out about others. Additionally, the learning of a foreign language not only provides cognitive benefits, including improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills, but also enhances cultural capital and increases awareness of life opportunities and career prospects.

The focus language taught in our school is Spanish. It is taught to Key Stage 1 children fortnightly and Key Stage 2 children weekly.

We aim for all Windmill learners to:

• develop an interest in, and positive view of, language learning by being introduced to other languages that are enjoyable and accessible;
• be curious about language and creative in experimenting with it;
• be resilient language learners, with well-developed oracy and literacy;
• have a deep awareness and appreciation of diversity, including cultural similarities and differences;
• be ambitious about their futures, appreciating how languages open opportunities;

By the end of Key Stage 2, children will be able to understand simple spoken and written language, to speak aloud and take part in a short conversation, and to write simple sentences. They will also understand about different cultures and have an idea about how languages work and how to learn them. In short they will be becoming confident users and learners of a new language.