Page 48 - Prep School Parent Handbook 2018-2019

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Curriculum overview – Modern Languages
We believe in the importance of learning foreign languages from an early age. Children find it very easy to begin acquiring familiarity with another language, remember new words and sounds and develop an authentic accent, if they start young. We therefore offer language provision from Nursery through to Year 6, with the aim of developing a zest for language learning right from the start of pupils’ school life.
In EYFS and Key Stage 1, girls have a weekly half-hour lesson, progressing to two weekly half-hour lessons in Year 3 to Year 6. The aim of Modern Foreign Languages lessons is to introduce the children to a new language, country and culture in a stimulating and enjoyable way. We seek to ensure that pupils of all ages and ability experience a variety of activities and tasks which help them to:
• develop good pronunciation in their spoken foreign language
• develop the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and, in Years 5 and 6 in particular, writing
• demonstrate confidence in their use of the foreign language
• acquire a knowledge of another country and an understanding of its culture
Lessons are lively, varied and fun. Children participate orally from the first lesson, with opportunities to join in with a wide range of language activities, songs, nursery rhymes and stories. They gain confidence in speaking out loud, whilst interactive exercises help their language development. Girls also have the opportunity to watch a French play, take part in a French café role-play and act as French waitresses to welcome Open Morning visitors.
In terms of languages studied, pupils from Nursery to Year 4 study French, as a modern foreign language. In 2017, we introduced Italian to Years 5 & 6, giving them the opportunity to experience learning this beautiful, vibrant Romance language – which will tie in with
their Latin studies the following year
at the Senior School. This is part of Headington’s Year of Languages in 2018- 2019.
We also offer different after-school language clubs, which change from year to year, eg clubs in Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish and German, so that pupils can supplement their studies or start to learn an additional language.
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