This term we are joined by...

Fátima Duerden, MFL Lead Teacher at Southwark LA and teacher at Dog Kennel Hill Primary School in Camberwell.

Is there someone you'd like to see featured next term? Find out how you can nominate someone for Five minutes with...

Fátima, what is your background in languages?

I have taught Spanish in Key Stages 1 and 2 at Dog Kennel Hill Primary School, South East London for nearly six years. I have quite a range of languages and am a native speaker of Portuguese and bilingual in Spanish. I also have a degree in Germanic Linguistics and studied Italian at university in Lisbon, as well as French at the Alliance Française. 

How do you think languages can be life enhancing?

I am passionate about languages! Learning a new language is like opening a door to another world. Developing language competence and confidence in communication, encouraging interest in other cultures, promoting intercultural understanding – all these are essential parts of being a citizen of the world.

Tell us about recent developments at Dog Kennel Hill

Our latest Ofsted report praised the school for incorporating high quality Spanish teaching across all key stages. We now have a dedicated Spanish classroom decorated with authentic materials, visually stimulating displays, an interactive whiteboard and a well-stocked library that all pupils enjoy. 

Ofsted also acknowledged the school's international dimension. Dog Kennel Hill has been awarded the intermediate level of the International School Award and recently gained an eTwinning quality label for projects carried out with our Spanish partner school. In February, I was invited to the eTwinning conference in Seville, acting as an eTwinning ambassador for South East London.

Every term, the school celebrates a different language. We encourage pupils, staff and parents to learn a few key phrases in the chosen language and to develop their understanding of different aspects of the culture in the country/ies where the language is spoken. There is always a display to showcase work.

What are your main challenges locally?

Pupil transition is a huge challenge for Dog Kennel Hill. I am participating in Southwark’s transition project and work with secondary colleagues to ensure progression for pupils leaving Year 6 with a sound knowledge of Spanish across the five strands of the KS2 Framework for Languages.

The linguistic expertise of staff is steadily improving across the school. The Headteacher is fully committed to professional development and language upskilling and encourages staff to take advantage of all the training opportunities Southwark LA provide.

What do you find most rewarding about your position?

I love giving children the opportunity to learn a new language, seeing them enjoy their growing confidence. I enjoy promoting Spanish language and culture both within the school and across the LA. Meeting other teachers and sharing good practice can be unbelievably rewarding.

And finally, what piece of advice would you give to anyone starting out teaching primary languages?

You don’t have to be an expert linguist to be able to enthuse pupils to learn a new language and awaken their interest in other cultures.  Learning a language should be fun, and so should teaching it!

Nominate a colleague for the next 'Five minutes with...'

Is there someone you know in the world of primary languages you would like to see featured in Five minutes with...? Then we'd like to hear from you! Send your 'Five minutes with...' nominations to ruth.churchill@cilt.org.uk