Modern Foreign Languages

Text

Intent

What do we want for our children?

• To foster an interest in learning languages

• To stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language

• To enable children to develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries

• To develop global communication and literacy skills which they can apply in all areas of their lives as ‘global citizens’

• To provide a foundation for future language learning which will enable them to discover more of what the world has to offer

• To promote the individual talents and abilities of pupils to ensure that each child fulfils his or her full potential.

Implementation

How do we translate our vision into practice?

• French or will be taught in all classes throughout Key Stage 2 for a period of 30 minutes each week. Children will be taught by fluent French teachers who have a love for speaking and teaching French and aim to inspire this in their pupils.

• Language lessons will focus primarily on speaking and listening skills, with the teachers aiming to speak in the chosen language in the majority of the lesson and encouraging the children to do so in response. To encourage this communication, children will take part in various speaking and listening activities, with the emphasis on ‘trying to communicate’ without worrying about making mistakes. Language learning will be fun and engaging as the use of music, songs, rhymes, acting and short films will be embedded in all lessons.

• Reading and writing skills will also be developed and this will be evident in children’s written French books. As children develop through the school they will listen to and take part in reading books in French/ Spanish, many of which will be familiar tales from their own language but they will also be introduced to authors from French/Spanish speaking countries.

• Each Year group will study a unit of French each half term based on a particular topic for example, school, holidays, shopping etc. Each topic is relevant to children’s lives and aims for them to be able to discuss this aspect of their life to some extent in the foreign language. At the same time they will learn about the cultural similarities and differences between them and children in French and Spanish speaking countries as they compare each other’s lives.

• Children will be taught useful and relevant vocabulary which will be transferable between the topics taught and the learning of grammar in French/Spanish will support their learning of grammar in English.

• As much as possible at Saint Anne’s we make languages part of the school day and life in school (for example through greetings and learning languages related to routines, answering the register, signs in the classroom)

• To link with our language learning, we have an International Days to celebrate the diverse cultures across the globe and learn more about what it is like in each place.

• The learning taking place in each class in French will be evident through engaging and interactive classroom displays, and will support children’s language learning throughout the year.

Impact

What is the result of our curriculum on the students?

• Children are enthused about their language learning and are keen to extend this learning beyond the classroom.

• Children become confident at attempting to communicate in a foreign language and are resilient in the face of difficulties.

• Children are aware of cultural differences, are keen to learn about them and embrace them.

• Children experience a wide-ranging number of learning challenges and develop the skills to be independent and critical thinkers.

• By the end of their primary education, children will be able to ask and answer simple questions in French. They will be able to understand and interact with simple stories in French and sing some simple songs and rhymes in the taught language. Children will also be able to read and respond to simple texts written in French and be able to write simple phrases in the past and present tense using taught vocabulary.

• Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in Language learning. Children will talk enthusiastically about their language learning and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education. They can link their language learning with possible future career choices.

• Children’s progress of learning will be evident in their books which will record children’s reading and written work, but more importantly by their reactions and responses when spoken to in a foreign language.

• Fundamental British Values are evident in Language lessons and children understand how learning a language can celebrate difference.