French

 INTENT

At SPJS the intention of our Modern Foreign Language curriculum is to develop an interest in language learning and to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about other languages. The focus is on learning French. Children will learn to speak and listen with understanding to French. Children will also learn to read and write simple sentences with an introduction to grammatical structures. Children will also explore customs and history, building a greater awareness of French culture.

We aim to nurture a “can-do” attitude to language learning by providing an environment where pupils feel confident to make errors and learn to move on and try again. We work collaboratively in a relaxed setting and learn through having fun and exploring language.

IMPLEMENTATION

Children are introduced to French from Year 3 and receive a weekly 40 minute lesson delivered by a specialist teacher throughout their time in school. This enables the children to develop early language acquisition skills that facilitate their understanding of the patterns of language and how these differ from, or are similar to, English.

• Lessons across the Key Stage support the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, grammar and inter cultural understanding:
• Children are taught to listen attentively to spoken language and respond, joining in with songs, rhymes and games.
• Children develop an appreciation of a variety of stories, songs, poems and rhymes in French that are delivered through the curriculum content.
• Children develop the skills to write at length for different purposes and audiences and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in French.

We follow the primary MFL scheme of work from “La Jolie Ronde” that covers the aims of the Languages programme of study as stated in the National Curriculum. and supplement this with additional resources that expand and reinforce learning.

Through participation and engagement, our pupils develop a sound basis of knowledge and understanding of the French language and through increasing competence and confidence, their love of languages blossoms.

Please take a look at our Learning ladder which shows how French progresses across the school from Year3-6.

IMPACT

By the end of Year 6 children will be able to recognise commonly used vocabulary and will be able to hold a simple conversation in French. Children will have gained skills to enable them to learn another language, will have an awareness of different grammatical systems and will understand the value of language learning.

Subject Leader: Karen De Brunner

If you would like more information about how this subject is taught, please contact the subject leader by emailing the school office at office@spjs.org