Modern Foreign Languages
RATIONALE
At Cloughwood Academy, our Modern Foreign Languages' curriculum is designed to introduce pupils to the Spanish language in an accessible, engaging, and practical way. Many of our pupils have experienced disrupted education and may have had little or no exposure to a foreign language prior to joining our school. Some also have additional learning needs that make abstract or language-based learning particularly challenging.
Our Spanish curriculum aims to provide a calm, structured, and supportive environment where pupils can develop basic language skills at a pace appropriate to their abilities. Lessons are highly scaffolded and focused on practical communication, allowing pupils to experience success quickly and build confidence. Learning is designed to be multisensory and interactive, using games, songs, role play, visual prompts, and repetition to reinforce vocabulary and structures.
By learning Spanish, pupils are not only introduced to a new language but also to a broader cultural awareness. Even at a basic level, exposure to a foreign language develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a fun and engaging way, laying foundations for future learning and enhancing cognitive and communication skills more generally.
INTENT
The intent of the Modern Foreign Languages' curriculum at Cloughwood Academy is to enable pupils to develop basic Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We aim to provide a structured, supportive, and enjoyable learning experience that is accessible to pupils who may be significantly behind age-related expectations and have little prior experience of a foreign language. Our curriculum is designed to:
- Build confidence and enjoyment in learning a new language through practical, achievable activities.
- Develop basic functional communication skills, including greetings, simple questions and answers, personal information, numbers, colours, family, and everyday vocabulary.
- Introduce pupils to Spanish-speaking cultures in an engaging and age-appropriate way, fostering curiosity and cultural awareness.
- Provide repeated and scaffolded exposure to vocabulary and grammatical structures to support memory, recall, and long-term retention.
- Encourage transferable skills such as listening, focus, verbal expression, memory, and self-confidence, which support wider learning and personal development.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Spanish curriculum is delivered through a structured, sequential programme that allows pupils to develop key language skills step by step. Lessons are typically weekly and include a balance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities, tailored to the pupils’ abilities.
Teaching Approaches
Highly scaffolded instruction: New vocabulary and structures are presented visually, aurally, and through modelling, with repetition and supported practice to reinforce learning.
Multisensory learning: Pupils engage with songs, role play, games, flashcards, and practical tasks to make learning enjoyable and memorable.
Small steps and cumulative learning: Key words, phrases, and grammar are revisited frequently, gradually increasing in complexity as pupils consolidate prior knowledge.
Cultural enrichment: Pupils are introduced to Spanish-speaking countries, traditions, and everyday life through videos, images, and discussions to enhance engagement and cultural understanding.
Assessment and reflection: Teachers use observation, verbal questioning, short quizzes, and practical tasks to check understanding and celebrate progress. Pupils are encouraged to self-assess and reflect on their learning to build confidence and independence.
Progression
The curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure that pupils who start with little or no prior knowledge can make meaningful progress. Core topics include:
- Greetings and introductions
- Numbers, colours, days, months, and basic dates
- Family and friends
- Food, hobbies, and everyday routines
- Classroom instructions and simple dialogues
- Cultural awareness of Spanish-speaking countries
Activities are practical and achievable, ensuring pupils experience early success and feel motivated to continue learning.
IMPACT
The impact of the Spanish curriculum at Cloughwood Academy is seen in pupils’ growing confidence, engagement, and ability to communicate in a foreign language at a basic level. Pupils demonstrate the ability to:
Understand and use common vocabulary and simple phrases in everyday contexts.
Listen attentively and respond appropriately to spoken Spanish.
Engage in simple written tasks, including labels, short sentences, and basic dialogues.
Reflect on their learning and celebrate achievements which build self-esteem and motivation.
Develop a broader cultural awareness and curiosity about Spanish-speaking countries and communities.
The curriculum also supports wider cognitive and communication skills, such as memory, attention, and verbal expression, which enhance pupils’ overall learning experience. Pupils leave KS3 with a solid foundation in Spanish, ready to progress to more advanced study if appropriate, or to continue to engage confidently with language learning in everyday life.