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. (NC2014)

    

Learning a foreign language is statutory for all Key Stage 2 pupils. French is taught as a regular subject with weekly lessons throughout the year. Content from the National Curriculum has been divided between the year bands to ensure a progressive curriculum. All strands of learning including listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar are taught. Decisions regarding sequencing follow guidance from our Scheme of Work, Language Angels.

Links between subjects strengthen and support pupils’ knowledge and understanding. Cross curricular reading, writing and maths is embedded across the curriculum.

Vertical links embed learning in the same subject across year groups or units. For example, children are introduced to numbers up to 20 in Year 3, and use and extend this knowledge in Year 4 when learning about dates and birthdays.

Horizontal links link learning in the same year group with another curriculum subject. For example, in Year 5, pupils learn about Space in Science and complete a unit called ‘Les Planètes’

and Diagonal links link learning in a different year group with another curriculum area, for example, Year 5’s weather unit links back to Year 2 Geography learning on the weather.

In LKS2 children start their French education, learning greetings, numbers and simple grammatical phrases. In UKS2 children cover a variety of units that enable children to hold simple conversations.

Week by week, a balance of the five main skills will be taught.

In Year 5, a Parent Share Session is held and parents are served a French breakfast in our French Café.

It is our intent that pupils gain a holistic and enjoyable experience of French during their time at Grendon.

We intend to encourage pupils to enjoy learning new languages through the organisation and delivery of Whole-school days (e.g.: Global Day) or Junior Leader Days.

A French club is offered to pupils in KS2, which gives them the opportunity to broaden their French vocabulary and allows them to experience different elements of French culture.

Our intent is that French is accessible to all pupils, regardless of their abilities. Children eligible for Pupil Premium funding are prioritised for questioning or support in class. For children with SEN or EAL needs, adaptive teaching strategies are implemented as required.

It is our intent that speaking and listening is a fundamental part of language learning; French lessons develop pupils’ communication skills. The curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages is focused on listening, comprehension and speaking. It is our intent that pupils have practical opportunities to repeat and rehearse vocabulary and phrases.

It is our intent that pupils learn to correct their own mistakes and build their resilience. In addition, pupils in Year 3 and 5 have a more challenging creative curriculum unit, and Year 6 children end their time at Grendon with a ‘Progressive’ teaching unit.

Pupils are encouraged to show independence by referring back to scaffolds and prior learning when required. It is our intent that pupils develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to become increasingly independent with their French.

It is our intent that our Foreign Languages curriculum removes barriers and promotes tolerance and respect of other cultures in our diverse school community. Language learning enables pupils to appreciate and celebrate the achievements of pupils whose first language is not English. Pupils are taught to respect differences in the way people communicate and to look for similarities and differences in vocabulary and grammar. Children enjoy identifying cognates across units.

It is our intent that by learning another language, pupils may discover a talent or passion for learning languages. Pupils who have a positive, enjoyable experience learning a foreign language at primary school, will be better prepared for secondary education.

An interest in languages at primary school may inspire children to pursue a career in business, as an interpreter a teacher or in travel.