Spanish Language Teaching

Since January 2023, two lower sixth students have  been visiting Balcombe C.E. Primary School once a week to teach Spanish to year 3 pupils as part of their IB CAS project.

Aims

To develop classroom engagement in foreign language learning.

Emersion into a language with students from another country.

To learn basic vocabulary.

To develop our students’ leadership skills.

Background

The new Partnership Co-ordinator approached the school to begin a discussion about possible future partnerships. The head of the primary school emailed after the meeting to ask if the College could possibly support them with a language teacher. The MFL lead agreed to support the school with French for Years 4-6 but did not have sufficient time to support Year 3. 

It was suggested that IB CAS students might be interested and two responded to an email to students. They were keen to support with Spanish.

Resources

This teaching takes place during the College lunch break. The two students eat on the journey to the school, leaving at 1:10pm, teaching from 1:30pm - 2:15pm.

A staff member accompanies the students and assists with the behaviour management of the class if and when necessary.

Impact

Anticipated outcomes are:

Children progress in language development.

Children are excited at prospect of next lesson.

Sixth-formers enjoy teaching Y3 and grow in confidence.

Pupil Involvement

The two lower sixth form students plan in College under the supervision of a Prep MFL teacher the day before the visit. They use songs, short videos and games to reinforce vocabulary.

The class teacher takes some children out for curriculum support, leaving approximately 22 Year 3 children.

Frequency

This partnership will run weekly until Easter.