French

Intent

Learning a foreign language is part of the primary National Curriculum and is a requirement for all children within key stage 2 (KS2). Burton on-the-Wolds Primary School has adopted a whole school approach to the teaching of French to all KS2 pupils.

Our aim is to develop the confidence and competence of each child in the foreign language they are learning. Our goal is for them to be passionate, curious and confident about their own foreign language learning abilities when they finish the primary school phase of their education.

We will help them develop and demonstrate substantial progress in the 5 key language skills necessary for learning French:

·       Speaking

·       Listening

·       Reading

·       Writing

·       Grammar

We aim to ensure that pupils of all abilities develop solid foundations in these key language learning skills - properly preparing them for the next stage of their language learning journey. These skills will develop children’s ability to understand what they hear and read and enable them to express themselves in speech and writing. We will extend their knowledge of how language works and explore the similarities and differences between the foreign language they are learning and English. We will also help strengthen their sense of identity through learning about culture in other countries and comparing it with their own.

Implementation

French is taught in a whole-class setting by the class teacher or a Learning Support Assistant and is therefore not reliant on one key member of staff. Teachers plan their lessons using the Language Angels scheme of work and can supplement this with their own ideas and experience and those of their colleagues.

The lessons are designed to motivate, captivate and interest children from the first moment. They have clear, achievable objectives and incorporate different learning styles. SEN children have access to the curriculum through variation of task, grouping or support from an adult.

Each class has a timetabled lesson of at least thirty minutes per week or an hour every other week. French can also be revisited in short sessions throughout the week to consolidate knowledge and ensure new language is retained.

French lessons include:

·       PowerPoints and interactive whiteboard materials

·       Interactive games (which pupils can access from home to consolidate their learning)

·       Songs & raps

·       Differentiated desk-based consolidation activities

·       Worksheets (at three different levels of challenge) are provided throughout each teaching unit and can be used in class or can be sent home to be completed as a homework exercise

Each lesson will focus on a combination of the 5 key language learning skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar). 

Impact

As a result of our MFL curriculum, children are confident speaking, listening, reading and writing in French by the end of year 6. They are passionate about learning French and have a good understanding of French traditions and the French culture. This prepares them well for the languages they go on to learn in Key Stage 3 and beyond.