French
Intent: Our Subject Vision
Learning a foreign language lifts children out of their immediate environment into the wider world, both linguistically and culturally. At Roberttown school, we want French to, not only focus on the development of children’ spoken language, reading, writing and grammar vocabulary, but to also be a window into the language, history, culture, politics and way of life of France. From learning the technical aspects of the French language, to listening to French music, and re-enacting key French historical events, we want to teach French using a holistic approach that will inspire and foster the childrens’ curiosity and develop 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 opportunity for them to communicate for practical purposes and learn new ways of thinking. The learning of French provides a medium for cross-curricular links and the reinforcement of knowledge, skills and understanding developed in other subjects.
Implementation: Our Approach
At Roberttown School, children in KS2 are taught French in a weekly 45-minute session. We follow the Classroom Secrets scheme of work, but adapt it to suit the needs of the children and to ensure we follow the correct progression and development of children’s’ knowledge and skills throughout key stage 2. Lessons across the Key Stage support the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
The National Curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages aims to ensure that all children:
- Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources.
- Are able to speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and that they are continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
- Can write at varying length, for different purposes, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.
- Have equal access to learning in MFL, with high expectations for every child and appropriate levels of challenge and support to enable children to each fulfil their potential.
- Develop independent learning skills and resilience, to equip them for further/ higher education.
Our French curriculum has been selected and tailored to give pupils the skills to enable them to maximise their access to sustainable careers and positive futures in a responsible way. It provides an awareness into the language and culture of another country as well as reinforcing knowledge of our own. It helps children develop skills that will open further opportunities later in life. The teaching in French provides an appropriate balance of spoken and written language and lays the foundations for further foreign language teaching at KS3.
Although designated French lessons happen in Key Stage 2, we aim to integrate French into Roberttown’s whole school journey. Pupils in Key stage 1 will be encouraged to take part in any whole school French events, and begin learn some of the French language and vocabulary, such as in the register or choosing lunches, to spark interest and curiosity of this wonderful language and get them excited to learn in Key Stage 2.
