"To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world." - Chinese Proverb

Intent

At Firs Primary School, we aim to foster a natural curiosity and confidence in our pupils to explore other countries, cultures and languages, accepting that, in a multi-lingual society it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively with others in another language.  Our pupils will be engaged and prepared to continue language learning at secondary school and beyond.

Implementation

We have chosen to teach modern foreign langauage French.  Our children have weekly lessons in French throughout Key Stage 2, using Salut! programme of study in addition to other resources.  Areas covered include: numbers, colours, house and home, in town,  food and drink, the classroom, clothes and hobbies. 

Lower Key Stage 2

In Year 3 and 4, the language focus is on acquiring good pronunciation as well as learning useful memorisation strategies so that children can build up the confidence to deliver a short role play in front of an audience.  Pupils are taught a range of ways to memorise whether nouns are masculine, feminine or plural. Physical locations - such as tables - are used to help pupils remember the gender of school items for example whereas parts of the body are introduced by splitting the body in half  and introducing male and female words with the corresponding side.

Upper Key Stage 2

In Year 5 and 6, children are taught that definite and indefinite articles as well as word endings provides clues as to genders. As the years progress, pupils build up their vocabulary range and grammatical expertise and are encouraged to write in extended sentences as well as urged to manipulate the language by using a dictionary.

Explicit knowledge in the Language curriculum:

Children are taught to:

• 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; seek clarification and help.
• Speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.
• Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases.
• Present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences.
• Read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
• appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
• Broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary.

Throughout the teaching of Language children are encouraged to understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant): feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.  Children will write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clear describe people, places, things and actions orally.

At Firs Primary School our vision for teaching and learning is rooted in high expectations and an unconditional belief that every child can achieve and succeed according to their unique abilities. We believe in challenge, engagement and deep learning (mastery). This is promoted through careful curriculum planning, modelled examples of practice and the use of responsive teaching through planned and purposeful checking for understanding. A positive and stimulating learning environment ensure behaviour for learning is central to our vision, as we strive for a warm and productive classroom climate. We carefully plan assessment to ensure we develop retrieval and schema to build on learning and make connections between subjects.  Finally, we explicitly plan for the delivery of Reading, Talking and Vocabulary in all subjects and this underpins our approach to teaching and learning at Firs.

Firs Foundation of Effective Practice ensures we have a whole school approach to delivering our curriculum vision.  The six Foundations provide staff with a learning model to ensure we deliver lessons based on research evidence, the six Foundations we model our Teaching and Learning on:

Foundation 1: Culture and Climate.

Foundation 2: Checking For Understanding.

Foundation 3: Explaining and Modelling.

Foundation 4: Reading, Talking and Vocabulary.

Foundation 5: Curriculum Planning.

Foundation 6: Retrieval and Schema building. 

Impact

The impact of a powerful knowledge language curriculum at Firs Primary School will have the following features:

• Subject driven.
• Knowledge-rich.
• Systematic.
• Progressive.
• Think creatively.
• Children will know more and remember more about MFL.
• Children will recognise and apply key French vocabulary verbally.
• Children will be able to write a limited amount in French.
• Ensure children are Ready For Learning and Ready For Life.

As a result French is an inclusive and engaging subject in our school which is accessible and enjoyable for all.  It will ensure that our pupils are engaged and prepared to continue language learning at secondary school and beyond.