French
Intent
We offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught and all necessary grammar will be covered in an age-appropriate way across the primary phase.
The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.
Implementation
All classes will have access to a high-quality foreign languages curriculum using the ‘Language Angels’ scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in French through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons in Key Stage 2.
Children will build on previous knowledge gradually as their foreign language lessons continue to recycle, revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Knowledge and awareness of required and appropriate grammar concepts will be taught throughout all units at all levels of challenge.
We want children to enjoy learning a new language and aim to make lessons as engaging and interactive as possible. Children have the opportunity to listen to French being spoken as well as joining in and responding in French. This may take the form of asking and answering questions, role-play, songs, rhymes and games. Children will be encouraged and supported to develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases. They will explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes. They are encouraged to read carefully and show understanding of words and to use familiar vocabulary to write simple phrases.
Teachers are also encouraged to develop children’s cultural awareness through celebrations of important days in the French calendar, curriculum enrichment days (e.g. Year 3 French Day) and cookery sessions of traditional foods from the country of the language being studied.
Impact
Through the high quality first teaching of French taking place we will see the impact of the subject in the following ways:
- Children will be able to communicate with each other in French.
- Children will become aware that a language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another.
- Children will develop their language through development of the four key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Children will enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of the French culture.
- Children will learn how language skills can be applied to a range of languages.
- Children will transfer to Key Stage 3 effectively and successfully and will be well prepared to continue and develop their language skills.
