Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) - French Curriculum Statement

Intent

Our intent is to build a MFL curriculum, which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which enables children to access the wider curriculum and to become a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community.

All children will understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of sources. They will learn to speak with increasing confidence and fluency, finding ways of communicating what they want to say. Children will be able to write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.

We intend for our pupils to explore the cultural capital of another country through its language and traditions.  As a result children will know more, remember more and understand more. They will develop the knowledge to be able to communicate in another language other than English. 

Implementation

MFL French will be implemented through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum.  It focuses on the statutory curriculum and enhances this by developing cultural capital activities and events- like a French summer picnic or a French day. MFL focused vocabulary working walls throughout school focus on key vocabulary.

Children are introduced to French in formal lessons from Year 3 and receive a weekly 30 minute lesson, throughout their time in Key Stage 2. Lessons across the Key Stages support the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Children are taught to listen attentively to spoken language and respond, joining in with songs, rhymes and games. These can be used in knowledge-based learning to reinforce and consolidate understanding of colour, number, the alphabet and basic greetings.

Throughout the coming academic year, we are seeking to form a relationship with a KS3 Languages team within Batley Multi Academy Trust, with the intention of fostering a curiosity and enthusiasm for language learning in our children.

In following the La Jolie Ronde Scheme of Work, the children are establishing a wide vocabulary throughout their languages learning and can apply their understanding of language to a variety of subjects such as history, food and nutrition, science and geography.

Impact

At Healey, we ensure that our children’s home languages are celebrated within the school community whilst we develop our children’s understanding of different cultures.

A consistent curriculum will ensure that children will know more and remember more not only about French but also be aware of the linguistic and cultural richness around the world.

Children will communicate with confidence orally as well as will be able to write in variety of topics in French.

The large majority of children will achieve age related expectations by the end of the year. Regular cross- curricular links and focus on key vocabulary will ensure that the children make good progress in their learning, that they are able to apply this vocabulary in both spoken and written way.

In Early Years, we believe it is very important for children to learn about other backgrounds, cultures and traditions, including other languages. We provide opportunities for children to explore the wider world around them through stories, tasting of food, visitors and special wow moments throughout their time in Foundation Stage. During registration, children are introduced to a variety of ‘good mornings’ including those home languages, of peers in their class. We aim to display a range of bi-lingual books so that children who have English as an additional language feel a sense of familiarity, as well as providing new experiences in class for all children.