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Languages

Languages at Manuden Primary School

A small school with big ideas… Growing hearts, Growing minds, Growing dreams!

"You live a new life for every language you speak. If you only know one language, you only live once."

Czech Proverb

Our Intent

At Manuden Primary School, we believe that learning a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for pupils. Our languages curriculum aims to foster curiosity, deepen understanding of the world and develop pupils’ confidence in communicating with others.

Through language learning, pupils develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills while gaining an appreciation of different cultures and traditions. This supports our school vision of growing hearts, growing minds and growing dreams, as pupils become open-minded, curious and respectful learners.

We aim to provide a strong foundation in language learning that prepares pupils for further study at secondary school and encourages a lifelong interest in languages.

Our Implementation

Planning and Curriculum Structure

In Key Stage 2, French is taught using the Language Angels scheme of work. This structured and progressive programme ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum and supports teachers in delivering high-quality, engaging lessons.

The curriculum is carefully sequenced to develop pupils’ skills across four key areas:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing

Lessons build on prior learning and ensure that pupils revisit and practise key vocabulary and grammatical structures over time.

Early Language Exposure (EYFS and KS1)

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, pupils are introduced to languages through Spanish, delivered through Kidslingo sessions and wider classroom experiences.

This early exposure focuses on:

  • Listening and joining in with songs, rhymes and stories
  • Learning simple words and phrases
  • Developing confidence in speaking aloud
  • Building curiosity about different languages and cultures

These experiences help develop positive attitudes towards language learning and provide a strong foundation for French in Key Stage 2.

Speaking and Communication

A key focus of our languages curriculum is developing pupils’ confidence in speaking. Pupils are encouraged to:

  • Repeat and practise new vocabulary
  • Participate in conversations and role-play activities
  • Ask and answer simple questions
  • Speak in full sentences with increasing accuracy

This helps pupils build confidence and fluency over time.

Vocabulary and Grammar

Vocabulary is carefully selected and revisited regularly to support long-term retention. Pupils also begin to develop an understanding of basic grammar, including:

  • Sentence structure
  • Gender of nouns
  • Simple verb forms

This ensures pupils not only learn words but understand how to use them effectively.

Assessment

Assessment in languages is ongoing and supports pupils’ progress in all four key skills.

Teachers assess learning through:

  • Observation of speaking and listening activities
  • Written work and reading tasks
  • Retrieval and recall of vocabulary
  • End-of-unit assessments

This allows teachers to identify gaps and ensure all pupils make progress.

Languages in the Early Years (EYFS)

In the Early Years, language learning is introduced through play-based and engaging experiences. Children are encouraged to:

  • Listen to and join in with songs and rhymes in Spanish
  • Repeat simple words and phrases
  • Develop confidence in speaking aloud
  • Explore different cultures through stories and celebrations

These early experiences promote curiosity and enjoyment of language learning.

Languages in the Wider Curriculum

Language learning is enriched through links across the curriculum, helping pupils make meaningful connections.

Examples include:

  • Geography – learning about countries, cultures and traditions
  • PSHE – developing respect and understanding of diversity
  • Music – singing songs in different languages
  • English – comparing language structures and vocabulary

This helps pupils understand the relevance of languages in the wider world.

Enrichment and Engagement

At Manuden Primary School, we aim to make language learning engaging and memorable. Opportunities may include:

  • Songs, games and interactive activities
  • Celebrating cultural events and traditions
  • Themed language days or weeks
  • Exposure to authentic language through audio and video resources

These experiences help pupils develop enthusiasm and confidence in language learning.

The Impact of Our Languages Curriculum

By the time pupils leave Manuden Primary School, they will:

  • Be able to understand and respond to spoken and written French
  • Speak in simple sentences with increasing confidence and accuracy
  • Read and write basic phrases and sentences
  • Have an awareness of different cultures and traditions
  • Develop a positive attitude towards learning languages

Pupils leave Manuden as confident, curious and enthusiastic language learners, prepared for further language study at secondary school and beyond.