Punjabi
At Guru Nanak Sikh Academy, where the majority of our pupils come from a Punjabi background and speak Punjabi as their first language, we place great emphasis on preserving and celebrating this cultural heritage from Reception through to Year 13. Learning Punjabi allows our pupils to strengthen ties with family members across generations and fosters a deep connection to their culture, contributing to a positive self-concept. We believe that language is a vital means of keeping culture alive, and understanding Punjabi also enables our students to grasp the unique messages of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the central religious scripture of Sikhism.
Our all-through Punjabi curriculum is designed to develop students' abilities to read, write, speak, and communicate effectively in the language. From Early Years, where sensory learning experiences such as singing songs, role play, and visual aids introduce new vocabulary, to Key Stages 1 and 2, where we focus on spelling, phonics, and sentence structure, our approach evolves to meet the needs of students at every stage. As pupils progress through Key Stages 3 to 5, they continue to refine their language skills, engaging in conversations, sharing ideas and opinions, and mastering the ability to ask and answer questions in Punjabi. A range of creative strategies, including worksheets, presentations, activities, and games, are employed across all age levels to capture pupils' interest and ensure they are confident and proficient in Punjabi by the time they complete their education with us.