Intent
At Batley Parish, our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum aims to inspire curiosity and confidence in learning Spanish, enabling all pupils to develop the skills and enthusiasm to communicate in another language. We believe learning a language enriches children’s understanding of the world and fosters an appreciation of different cultures and ways of life.
We use the Primary Languages Network (PLN) scheme of work, which is expertly designed to:
- Build strong foundations in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish.
- Encourage children’s confidence and enjoyment in language learning.
- Support pupils in expressing ideas and opinions in Spanish.
- Provide cultural insight into Spanish-speaking countries and communities.
- The scheme is carefully structured to meet the National Curriculum requirements for foreign languages at Key Stage 2 and ensures progression in knowledge and skills across all year groups.
Implementation
The Primary Languages Network scheme follows a progressive, spiral model that introduces, revisits, and deepens language learning over time. The curriculum is organised around the following key themes:
Listening and Speaking – building pronunciation, intonation, and conversation skills.
Reading and Writing – developing vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar knowledge.
Language Awareness – understanding how languages work, including phonics and grammar patterns.
Intercultural Understanding – exploring the customs, festivals, geography, and everyday life of Spanish-speaking countries.
Key Features
Lessons are interactive, practical, and engaging, using songs, games, role play, videos, and written activities. The scheme supports non-specialist teachers with clear lesson plans, pronunciation guides, and audio-visual resources. Pupils use vocabulary sheets and learning mats to support independence and recall of key words and phrases. Differentiated guidance is provided to ensure lessons are inclusive and challenging for all learners. A long-term plan and progression grid ensure that all grammar, vocabulary, and communication goals are met by the end of Key Stage 2.
Impact
The PLN curriculum enables pupils to become:
Confident communicators in Spanish, able to understand and respond to spoken and written language. Independent learners, able to apply grammar rules and vocabulary to new contexts. Culturally aware individuals, with an appreciation for the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Regular opportunities for oral rehearsal, assessment for learning, and end-of-unit evaluations allow pupils and teachers to reflect on progress and identify next steps.
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will:
- Engage in conversations, ask and answer questions, and express opinions in Spanish.
- Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation.
- Read and understand simple texts and short passages.
- Write phrases and sentences from memory and adapt them to create new meaning.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures and global citizenship.
- Meet or exceed the expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Languages.