Modern Foreign Languages at Ashbourne Primary School

We lay the foundations for a lifelong love of language learning.

At Ashbourne Primary, pupils develop curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world and its people through learning Spanish. Through language learning, children gain an appreciation of different cultures and communities, supporting our whole-school focus on diversity.

Pupils benefit from lessons delivered by a Spanish speaker, providing an authentic experience both linguistically and culturally. Over time, all pupils develop confidence, fluency and increasing spontaneity in speaking and understanding Spanish.

MFL is taught in Key Stage 2, from Year 3 to Year 6.

Curriculum Progression

Our MFL curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced over a four-year cycle:

• Pupils begin by learning basic vocabulary linked to familiar topics
• They then build on this knowledge to use phrases and simple sentences
• By Year 6, pupils are able to construct short paragraphs, drawing on their prior learning

We recognise that learning takes time and repetition. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that key vocabulary and language structures are embedded in pupils’ long-term memory, enabling them to apply their knowledge with increasing confidence and independence.

Linked to Our Golden Threads

Our MFL curriculum supports our Golden Threads:

• Language and Literacy – pupils develop language skills, including speaking, listening and vocabulary, supporting communication across contexts
• Resilience and Regulation – pupils build confidence by practising new language, taking risks and learning from mistakes
• Belonging and Becoming – pupils develop an understanding of different cultures and communities, fostering respect and a sense of global citizenship

Through our MFL curriculum, pupils:

• Develop confidence in speaking and understanding Spanish
• Build a secure foundation in vocabulary and language structures
• Gain an appreciation of different cultures and communities
• Develop curiosity about languages and the wider world
• Are well prepared for further language learning in Key Stage 3