Spanish
At Ainsdale St. John's, we believe that learning Spanish helps children develop confidence, curiosity and an appreciation of the wider world. Through learning a new language, pupils develop communication skills, cultural awareness and respect for different traditions and ways of life.
We encourage children to enjoy language learning by listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish in a supportive environment. As they progress, they develop confidence in communicating with others and gain an understanding of the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries.
Our aim is for every child to develop a positive attitude towards languages and leave primary school with the confidence and enthusiasm to continue their language-learning journey.
Language Angels
Spanish is taught weekly throughout Key Stage 2 using the Language Angels scheme of work. Language Angels is fully aligned with the National Curriculum for Languages and provides a progressive programme of study that enables children to develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing Spanish. Lessons are carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit and build upon prior learning, gradually acquiring a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge.
Through age-appropriate topics and themes, children learn to understand and communicate in Spanish with increasing confidence and accuracy. The curriculum follows a progressive pathway, helping pupils move from learning individual words and simple phrases to creating more complex spoken and written language. Native-speaker audio, interactive activities and regular opportunities for practice support accurate pronunciation and language development.
Language Angels follows a clear progression model, ensuring that knowledge and skills are systematically developed across Key Stage 2. Children regularly revisit previously taught vocabulary and language structures, enabling them to embed learning and apply their understanding in new contexts. Through this approach, pupils develop the confidence, fluency and enthusiasm needed to continue their language-learning journey into secondary education.
Working in Partnership
Parents can play an important role in supporting their child's language-learning journey. Encouraging children to practise the Spanish words and phrases they have learned in school helps to build confidence and improve retention. Simple activities such as greeting each other in Spanish, counting, naming colours or practising key vocabulary can make language learning fun and memorable.
Listening to Spanish songs, watching age-appropriate videos and exploring Spanish-speaking cultures together can help children develop their pronunciation and understanding of the language. Encouraging children to share what they have learned in lessons and celebrating their efforts can also help to foster a positive attitude towards language learning.
The following websites provide engaging and age-appropriate resources to support Spanish learning at home:
Language Angels Pupil Games Area (if school access is available)
Interactive games and activities linked to the curriculum taught in school.
https://www.languageangels.comBBC Bitesize – Primary Spanish
Videos, games and activities covering vocabulary, pronunciation and simple conversations.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z4dqxnbBBC Teach – Primary Languages
A range of engaging videos and resources to support language learning.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teachDuolingo
Fun, game-based activities suitable for older KS2 pupils who wish to practise Spanish independently.
https://www.duolingo.comSpanish Playground
Songs, stories, games and videos designed specifically for children learning Spanish.
https://www.spanishplayground.netRockalingua
Interactive songs, games and videos that help children develop vocabulary and pronunciation.
https://rockalingua.comLightbulb Languages
Free resources, games and activities for primary language learners.
https://www.lightbulblanguages.co.uk
We encourage children to be curious about languages and cultures beyond the classroom. Regular practice, even for a few minutes each week, can make a significant difference to children's confidence and enjoyment of learning Spanish.