Languages
Our curriculum leader for Languages is Tina Culpin
Details of the Languages Curriculum for each year group in Key Stage 2 for each term can be found on the class webpages.
Key characteristics of linguists
We have identified the following key characteristics which we aim to develop to enable children to become independent and confident linguists in German:
The confidence to speak with good intonation and pronunciation.
Fluency in reading.
Fluency and imagination in writing.
A strong awareness of the culture of the countries where the language is spoken.
A passion for languages and a commitment to the subject.
The ability to use language creatively and spontaneously.
An independence in their studies and the ability to draw upon a wide range of resources.
Opportunities for developing language
In order to ensure that our children are provided with a range of opportunities to enable them to become confident and independent linguists we provide:
| Key Stage One | Key Stage Two |
|
Languages are optional in Key Stage One. Opportunities to: • Speak basic words and phrases e.g. greetings, colours, days of the week etc.
|
Opportunities to: • In the chosen modern language:
o Speak o Read o Write
• Look at the culture of the countries where the language is spoken. |
Key learning objectives for languages
We have identified 4 key learning objectives for languages:
| To speak confidently | To read fluently | To write imaginatively | To understand the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken |
Our approach to teaching Languages at Houghton Primary School
In order that our learners are enabled to develop the key characteristics of confident linguists we are working in partnership with the Goethe Institut to develop a 4 year German curriculum which focuses on having fun learning the language using two characters, Felix the frog and Franzi the duck. The frog and the duck come from Berlin Zoo to England. They find an old German letterbox in an antique shop. They move in because it reminds them of their home. That’s the starting point. Each lesson unit has its own little story so that vocabulary is always learnt in context. For example in Chapter Two Felix feels homesick. This situation is used for the question “Wie geht es dir?” (How are you?).
Our Key Stage 2 teachers have benefited from superb professional development from the Goethe Institut since the beginning of 2016. They continue to work alongside staff from the Institut to develop opportunities for teaching and learning which are providing an excellent foundation for languages for our children.
Felix and Franzi!
The letterbox!
Celebrating Franzi's birthday! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Franzi!
Please click here for National Curriculum Programme of Study for Languages