We aim for our language education to foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world; enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language; and understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. Our current language provision is French.
French is taught from Year 3 to Year 6. All children from year 3 to year 6 have weekly French lessons during the year. French is taught by our Assistant Head Mrs Edwards who has a degree in French and is a fluent French speaker
The core elements of our curriculum are:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
Our scheme of work follows four stages:
Stage 1: Introduce basic, essential language like colours and numbers; use simple verb forms
Stage 2: Introduce some more varied language and sentence structures; use sentences in the third person.
Stage 3: Develop more complex vocabulary and sentence structures; learn to use adjectives to add detail to sentences; talk about hobbies and holidays.
Stage 4: Introduce other tenses; use the perfect and near future tenses; talk about what we have seen and done, and what we are going to do in the future.
All lessons allow children to develop their language skills in relevant, engaging and meaningful contexts. Learning happens through a great range of interactive activities, role-play, songs, games and stories. In the earlier stages of language learning the focus is on speaking and listening.
French Progression of Skills
To ensure there is progression whilst exploring the same subject area, each Subject Leader has set out a specific set of skills and knowledge which should be taught within each year group. These skills and knowledge progressions are used when planning each topic to break down the learning for each subject, within each year group, into smaller stepping stones. They give teachers a step-by-step guide for the order in which the content of a subject should be taught. This ensures that children develop the specific skills needed, in a logical order, to achieve the overall goal. It also ensures that the specific skills and knowledge focused upon are a clear development of the children’s prior learning.
Research has shown that when learning can be related to real life, it gives it meaning and purpose, and therefore it is remembered. As a result, we fill our curriculum with real experiences, including visitors, theme days, workshops, trips and use of the local area. Each themed until of work starts with an ‘attention grabber’ and teachers plan for enrichment opportunities throughout. These are designed to hook children into the topic, to reignite interest part way through and to celebrate learning.
Whole School Overview
Please see here for our Whole school French overview