At Forest View Primary School,  we aim to introduce children to an additional language which fosters curiosity and deepens children’s understanding of the world. Children learn to communicate in speech and writing and respond to the speaker’s thoughts and ideas. We aim to provide the foundation for further learning of languages. While learning another language, children access ideas and experiences from other cultures and communities, which in turn encourages children to have an understanding and appreciation of diversity in society. The experience of learning and using a foreign language makes its unique contribution to the whole curriculum by taking children out of the familiar environment and allowing them to explore the life-style and culture of another land through the medium of its language. This in turn provides a satisfying, enjoyable and intellectually challenging experience for children in coping with a different linguistic medium.

“Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.”

(National Curriculum Document 2014).

Intent

  • MFL will be celebrated across our school becoming an environment rich in vocabulary, display and children’s work. Children will be  literate as they confidently learn and use French terminology and vocabulary throughout their written and oral work.
  • listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding  explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words  engage in conversations
  •  ask and answer questions
  • express opinions and respond to those of others
  • speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures so  developing accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand
  • read aloud or use familiar words and phrases
  • read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
  •  appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in French
  • broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
  •  write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences
  •  to express ideas clearly  describe people, places, things and actions orally
  •   in writing  understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including :feminine, masculine
  •  know how to apply key features and patterns these, for instance, to build sentences and know how these differ from or are similar to English

Implementation: 

  • At Forest View, French is taught following the South Tyneside Matrix over 12 units.  The subject is explicitly taught in years 3 to 6 developing their knowledge and skills, studying each topic in depth. Children have a French book which shows their learning journey.
  • Children all have a Knowledge Organiser which is used at the beginning of lessons as a method of low stake quizzing to improve the acquisition of the key knowledge indicated in our medium term plans. These are also used as reference points in the lessons. Parents have copies of these to support their children. Vocabulary will be a crucial element of these as children explore vocabulary and subject specific terminology. These words will be shared, discussed and displayed for and with the children in each lesson.
  • Cross curricular opportunities  are important to use at Forest View and teachers look to link learning in French to other subjects.
  • Teachers have access to French resources which support the children’s learning.
  • Where appropriate, all units address and celebrate diversity. This ensures that our children are exposed to a wide-ranging inclusive curriculum embedded into our practice.

Impact: 

  • Through close monitoring, the effectiveness of teaching has a positive impact on learning and standards
  • We follow a broad and balanced MFL curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. Looking at pupils’ work, especially over time as they gain skills and knowledge, observing how they perform in lessons and talking to them about what they know. Progress will be shown through outcomes and through the important record of the process leading to them
  • The French Lead has successfully evaluated and summarised all aspects of the subject to define next steps for improvement from their action plan
  • Our children will understand and appreciate the value of French in the context of their personal wellbeing and the creative and cultural industries and their many career opportunities
  • That all pupils have access to a rich curriculum that enables the acquisition of key skills for future success and that they have access to enrichment experiences to improve their cultural capital