Spanish Food Adventure

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for 5 students aged 7-8 years (Key Stage 2, Year 3) to introduce basic Spanish food vocabulary and cultural appreciation through immersive, interactive learning. This plan aligns with the Department for Education's KS2 Foreign Language Programme of Study and the Framework for Modern Foreign Languages in KS2 (DfE, 2013).

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Name 8-10 common Spanish food items
• Use simple phrases to express likes and dislikes
• Gain familiarity with Spanish food culture
• Develop listening, speaking, and cooperative learning skills

Curriculum Links

• Key Stage 2 Modern Foreign Languages Programme (DfE): Engage in conversations; express opinions about familiar topics; understand short spoken phrases; make simple statements
• Languages National Curriculum KS2 (2014): Listen attentively and understand new vocabulary; develop accurate pronunciation; build vocabulary for everyday topics

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Learning Objectives

• Recognise and pronounce basic Spanish food vocabulary (fruta, pan, leche, queso, manzana, etc.)
• Construct simple sentences: "Me gusta..." / "No me gusta..."
• Listen to a short story/song about Spanish foods and culture
• Develop confidence in speaking through paired and group activities
• Understand cultural contexts through visual and experiential learning

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Resources

• Flashcards with food images and Spanish words
• Audio recording of a Spanish children’s song about food
• Real or plastic food items or pictures (if possible)
• Whiteboard and coloured markers
• Mini worksheets for vocabulary matching
• Props for role-play (such as chef hats or aprons)

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Lesson Structure

Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)

• Greet students in Spanish: “¡Hola! ¿Cómo están?” to set the tone.
• Show flashcards with food images and say the Spanish names aloud. Students repeat chorally and then individually.
• Use Total Physical Response (TPR) by miming eating or drinking to reinforce meaning.
• Briefly discuss, in English, cultural aspects of Spanish food to pique curiosity (highlight a few famous Spanish dishes without going into detail).

Vocabulary Exploration (15 minutes)

• Play an interactive matching game: Students match flashcards with Spanish words to English or pictures on the board.
• Teach the phrases "Me gusta..." (I like) and "No me gusta..." (I don’t like). Model examples using the flashcards; encourage students to try saying what food they like or dislike.
• Pair students up to practise the phrases with each other using flashcards as prompts, developing conversational skills.

Listening and Cultural Exposure (10 minutes)

• Play a lively Spanish children’s song about food (e.g., "La canción de la fruta"). Provide printed lyrics with illustrations.
• Encourage students to listen carefully and point to flashcards that match the words they hear.
• Discuss briefly what they understood and liked about the song.

Creative Role-Play and Speaking (15 minutes)

• Set up a “Spanish café” role-play corner with props. Assign roles: customer, waiter, chef.
• Students practise ordering food in Spanish, using "Me gustaría..." (I would like), and “Quiero…” (I want). Introduce polite phrases “Por favour” and “Gracias”.
• Encourage creativity; students can invent a simple menu using learned vocabulary, practising pronunciation and sentence structure.

Recap and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Quick quiz: Show flashcards randomly and ask students to shout out the Spanish word or use phrases to express preference.
• Hand out mini worksheets for individual matching exercises or drawing their favourite food with Spanish labels.
• Close the lesson with a group reflection: What Spanish food would they like to try? What new words did they enjoy?
• Finish with a cheerful “Adiós, hasta luego” and thumbs up.

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Assessment and Differentiation

• Formative assessment through observation during pair and group activities to check speaking and pronunciation.
• Offer sentence starters or vocabulary prompts to support less confident students.
• Challenge more able pupils by asking them to form extended sentences or describe a dish using colours and adjectives (e.g., “La manzana es roja y dulce”).
• Encourage peer support and use of visual aids to aid comprehension.

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Extension Ideas and Homework

• Create a “Spanish food diary” where students note five foods they like or dislike in Spanish over the week.
• Research a Spanish recipe at home (child-friendly) and share a drawing or brief explanation the next lesson.
• Introduce simple Spanish cultural celebrations related to food, e.g., La Tomatina or tapas occasions.

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Teacher’s Reflection Prompts

• Did the students engage and confidently use new vocabulary?
• Was the role-play effective in encouraging conversational skills?
• How well did the students respond to the cultural content?
• What adaptations would be needed for mixed ability groups or larger classes?

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By combining language, culture, and interactive activities, this lesson fosters enthusiastic learning and practical use of Spanish for young learners, aligned with UK education standards and modern MFL pedagogy.