At Westover, we believe that the acquisition of a language is part of a broader curriculum involving language and culture. We believe that the skills, knowledge and understanding gained through learning a new language make a major contribution to the development of children’s oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own culture/s and those of others. Language also lies at the heart of ideas about individual identity and community, and learning another language can do a great deal to shape children’s ideas in this area as well as giving them a new perspective on their own language.

Language teaching at Westover intends to provide opportunities for the children to:

• Foster an interest in learning other languages.
• Have fun and develop their confidence and curiosity about language.
• Understand that language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another.
• Develop their awareness of cultural differences. Develop their speaking and listening skills.