Languages

‘Learning a language is to have one more window to look at the world.’

Chinese Proverb

At Chandos, our chosen language for all children in Key Stage 2 is Latin. The Latin language is the basis for many English words and also appears in many other subject areas, for example in Science, where 90% of the words used have a basis of Latin.

In Chandos' diverse community, most of our children already have the benefit of speaking a different language at home, and so English is a secondary language for them. By choosing Latin, we believe that our children will be able to pick up the language quickly as they will already recognise many of the words from their home languages.

Every child, regardless of gender, race or ability will have equal access to the Latin language. We aim to provide for all children so that they can achieve their best according to their individual needs, whether they need additional support or more challenge.

Curriculum Intent

At Chandos, we:

create successful, effective learners who understand and value scholarship and education
create competent, critical thinkers who can challenge and develop ideas
create effective communicators of our shared beliefs, values and learning
create tolerant and respectful global citizens who have an understanding and knowledge of our local, national and global communities

Curriculum Implementation

In order to teach our Latin curriculum, we will be following a teaching scheme called Maximum Classics.

Our aim is for all children to leave Key Stage 2 being able to confidently speak and write in Latin. From Year 3 onwards, each year group will first focus on understanding the history of language, identfying where the words originate from. From there, they will develop their language skills by working through different units, which increase their vocabulary abilities each year.

At Chandos, we believe that children learn best collaboratively. During their Latin lessons, children will have the opportunity for lots of speaking and listening activities to take place, where they will be encouraged to practice the language together. Children will also be given the opportunity to problem solve by completing short activities - such as stories with missing words - which will quiz them on their understanding of the new vocabulary and terminology. They will also be given practical tasks - such as creating a new invention - so that children can express themselves creativly too.

Scheme of work

The Maximum Classic scheme of work spans over the four years children are in Key Stage Two. Each year, the work is broken down into four units of work as seen below in the table.

*Scheme of work is from Maximum Classics.

As this is a new scheme of work at Chandos, all children in KS2 will begin learning first year units of work, moving onto the following years as they progress through the key stage. By the end of the four years, all children will naturally progress to working on the correct units for their year group.

For Units 1-4 - which we will focus on in this current academic year - here is a breakdown of the taught vocabulary that your child will be learning during their lessons: