FRENCH CURRICULUM INTENT

INTENT:

We believe that ‘a high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.’ (National Curriculum 2014). We aim to inspire in our pupils a love of learning about other languages and cultures through our MFL Curriculum and lively, engaging teaching and learning strategies. As well as providing enjoyable opportunities to discover other languages and cultures, we aim to enrich the development of pupils’ oracy and literacy skills. Through learning about a different language, we can provide pupils with a new and enlarged perspective on their own. Our MFL Curriculum fully supports our International Schools status and offers further opportunities to recognise similarities, welcome and celebrate differences and promote respect between cultures. Through carefully planned progression of skills, we aim to ensure that Ferring pupils leave us confident and prepared for specialist languages learning in KS3.  

 

IMPLEMENTATION:

Pupils learn French from Y1 – Y6. In KS1, pupils focus on developing a basic vocabulary from key topics - numbers 1-20, colours, part of the body - which they explore through games, songs and stories. A unit of French is planned and taught each half term and may be blocked as a topic afternoon or developed through weekly short-burst sessions. Units are carefully sequenced to build on developing knowledge and to promote interest and enthusiasm for languages learning.  

In KS2, pupils learn French in weekly 30-45 minute lessons and move through different topics each half term. Units of French are carefully sequenced to develop core vocabulary knowledge and speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, each unit building on learning that has gone before. Through KS2, pupils revisit knowledge and skills regularly and continue to develop confidence and fluency. From KS1, pupils recognise and repeat key vocabulary and by the end of KS2, they will be able to hold simple conversations.

We follow National Curriculum when planning lesson objectives and developing learning progression. We use a range of resources and materials from published language learning programmes and interactive sites. Where sound clips are used, these are delivered by native French speakers so pupils are learn by hearing authentic uses of language and pronunciation. The MFL Subject Leader is also able to provide specialist French teaching support. We focus on engaging approaches to learning vocabulary and phrases, including drama & roleplay, songs, actions and games.

Throughout the year, we also celebrate and promote languages learning with themed activities across the whole school where the focus is on deeper exploration of different aspects of language and culture and on having fun!

 

INTENDED IMPACT:

Pupils show interest and enthusiasm for learning languages and are curious to discover more about the cultures they come from. They demonstrate a clear progression of skills in French oracy and literacy and in their knowledge and understanding of French phonics and grammar. They can identify draw relevant comparisons between languages and identify similarity and difference.  Pupils understand that their languages learning skills and knowledge can also be applied to learning other languages. Pupils are confident and keen to have a go at speaking a foreign language to communicate and they understand that this can be useful, satisfying, life-long skill.