MFL
MFL Curriculum Intent
Why do we teach our pupils:
Each of our children is a precious and unique individual, with God given talents and abilities, created to fulfil a special role in God’s intricate plan for the world.
‘“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.’ Jeremiah 29:11
Why do we teach MFL?
At St Leonards, we teach Spanish as part of our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum because it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and provides our pupils with valuable opportunities for future study, travel, and careers. Learning Spanish helps students to develop communication skills, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. It also strengthens their cognitive abilities, builds confidence, and supports literacy in English through a greater awareness of grammar and language structures. Above all, teaching Spanish reflects our commitment to preparing young people to become open-minded, globally engaged citizens who can thrive in an interconnected world.
How will our teaching of MFL enable our pupils to fulfil the plan God has for them?
At St Leonards, we believe that learning Spanish is more than acquiring a new language; it is part of equipping our pupils to live out the plan God has for them. By opening doors to new cultures and perspectives, Spanish helps our pupils to love their neighbour, show respect for difference, and engage with the wider world as Christ calls us to do. Language learning develops perseverance, humility, and empathy — qualities that reflect God’s character and prepare pupils to serve others with compassion. Through Spanish, our pupils gain the skills and confidence to step into opportunities that may be part of God’s calling on their lives, whether in study, work, mission, or service, locally or globally.
What do we want to achieve by teaching MFL?
At St Leonards, our teaching of Spanish aims to equip pupils with the skills and confidence to communicate effectively in another language, while fostering curiosity, empathy, and respect for other cultures. Through language learning, pupils strengthen their literacy, memory, and problem-solving skills, as well as developing resilience, perseverance, and confidence in overcoming challenges. We also see Spanish as a way of preparing pupils for future opportunities in study, work, and global engagement, while encouraging them to live out Christian values by building bridges with others, showing God’s love, and playing a positive role in an interconnected world.
At St Leonards, we use Language Angels to support the teaching and learning of Spanish across the school. This programme provides a clear and progressive framework that ensures pupils build on their knowledge and skills each year, while giving teachers the flexibility to adapt lessons to meet the needs of all learners. This means that children with SEN are fully included and able to access the curriculum, while more able pupils are stretched and challenged appropriately.
We teach Spanish as whole classes following a two-year cycle, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn a broad and balanced range of vocabulary. Cycle A is taught one year and Cycle B the next, so that whether pupils are in straight or mixed-age classes, they all cover the same vocabulary and progress consistently through the curriculum.
Unit Planner
Assessment of Pupil Learning & Progression
Two forms of assessment are available at the end of every Language Angels unit:
- Peer and self-assessment ‘I can do…’ grids. A quick and easy way for all pupils in the class to record which units they have completed and the progress they are making.
- More detailed skills based assessments using bespoke skills assessment worksheets. This form of assessment enables us to determine the learning and progression of all pupils in the key language learning skills as well as monitoring the
ir progress against the 12 attainment targets stipulated in the DfE Languages Programme of Study for Key Stage 2.
MFL Progression Of Skills
Progression Of Skills
MFL Policies
Spanish Policy