Bienvenidos a Español! Welcome to Spanish!

Pupils at GLPA begin to learn Spanish from EYFS and enjoy the benefits of starting to learn a foreign language through songs, videos, games, interactive activities and lessons based on a practical communicative approach.

Our aim at GLPA is to ensure that children develop a good basic understanding and a love of Spanish. We help them acquire the foundations for further foreign language learning at Key Stage three, which supports a smoother transfer to Secondary School.

We endeavour to enable our pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language by working on the language skills of: speaking, listening and reading.

Learning a foreign language provides an opening to other cultures, promotes children´s curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world. All children are encouraged to develop their full potential in Spanish, feel engaged and enjoy learning Spanish within the context of the culture of the Hispanic world.

We deliver a Spanish day every academic year, to immerse the children in language and culture. This involves the KS2 pupils learning about different aspects of Spanish life, traditions and festivals. We aim to involve all of our Spanish speaking families, who are enthusiastic and keen to be involved. We also aspire for pupils to understand that Spanish is a universal language and is spoken in many regions of the world.

1. At GLPA we aim to develop oracy and literacy skills at an appropriate level for their age. 

2. Demonstrate understanding and respect for cultural diversity. 

3. Apply their knowledge of language rules. 

4. Understand the importance of being understood.  

Celebrating important Spanish festivals such as La Tamborrada (Drum Festival), Las Fallas de Vallencia (Festival of Fire) and San Fermines (Pamplona Bull Run) to name a few, will teach your child about Spanish culture and history.

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2spanish.html  

Here are some suggestions for ways you can help your child: 

Cook a typical Spanish meal 

Familiarise your child with Spanish cuisine by having him or her help you whip up a traditional Spanish meal. You could try Gazpacho (tomato soup served cold), Paella (a rice dish), Tortilla (Spanish omelette) or Patatas Bravas (cubes of potato in a spicy, tomato sauce) for example. 

Watch a Spanish movie 

Host a Spanish movie night with your family watching films such as Ferdinand, Coco, Donkey Xote or Tad, the Lost Explorer. You could also watch cartoons on YouTube presented in Spanish, such as Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer or The Robot Boy. 

Listen to Spanish music 

Download some Spanish songs to listen to while at home or on the road. Listening to Spanish music will help familiarize your child with Spanish accents and pronunciations. Rockalingua offers a range of songs that children have learned in class. 

Puzzles 

You can download and print dozens of free puzzles for your child. They will have fun playing, while simultaneously learning Spanish vocabulary.  Keep a stack in the car for long trips. 

Memory game 

Create some Spanish flashcards and place them face down on a table. Your child flips over two cards. If the pictures match, your child flips over two more cards. The point of the game is to match all of the cards from memory. 

Spanish Memory Game 

There are a wide selection of beginner Spanish books such as: ‘Gazpacho for Nacho’ by Tracey C Kyle, ‘La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Ninos’ by Susan Middleton Elya, ‘Chato’s Kitchen’ by Gary Soto, ‘Round is a Tortilla: A book of shapes’ by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and ‘Abuela’ by Arthur Dorros. You can find these books online. 

Hangman 

This Spanish activity is played exactly like the original Hangman version, except you are using Spanish vocabulary words and phrases instead of English.