Modern Foreign Languages – French

Meet The MFL  Team

At Horbury Primary Academy, we teach a foreign language to all our KS2 children as part of our school curriculum. Children in KS1 are made aware of other languages and are encouraged to use them informally in real life situations in order to prepare them for KS2. We have decided to teach French.

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of learning a modern foreign language in primary school are:

• To foster an interest in learning other languages
• To introduce young children to another language in a way that is enjoyable and fun;
• To make young children aware that language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another;
• To help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries;
• To develop their speaking and listening skills;
• To lay the foundations for future study.

The curriculum French is the modern foreign language that is taught in our school. The curriculum followed is based on the guidance given in the revised National Curriculum, using the Wakefield scheme supplemented with school resources and knowledge. The children are taught to know and understand how to:

• Ask and answer questions;
• Use correct pronunciation and intonation;
• Memorise words;
• Interpret meaning;
• Understand basic grammar;
•  Use dictionaries;
•  Work in pairs and groups, and communicate in French;
• Look at life in another culture.

During French sessions, children are given the opportunity to work as a class, as individuals and as part of a group. The choice of class organisation is determined by the learning task. By its nature, MFL will involve lots of interaction with visual, auditory and kinaesthetic prompts.

Intent

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 prepare children to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community.

To design a curriculum with appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding to fulfill the duties of the NC whereby schools must provide a ‘balanced and broadly-based curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities and responsibilities and experiences for later life.

To build a MFL curriculum that incorporates the understanding of French so that children know more, remember more and understand more. As a result children will develop the knowledge to be able to communicate in another language other than English.

To design, and resource, a French programme of work within the MFL curriculum which enables pupils to explore the cultural capital of another country through its language and traditions.

Implementation

Clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. The MFL curriculum focuses on the statutory curriculum and enhances this by developing cultural capital.

Assessment in line with school policy.

MFL Focused Vocabulary Working Walls MFL Vocabulary Walls throughout school focus on key vocabulary.

Wider Curriculum MFL will be reinforced through Cultural capital activities and events.

Assemblies Whole school, assemblies will look at French culture.

Whole school and class singing of French songs.

French Club-  year 1/2    year 3     year 4/5    approximately     children   attend.

French language delivered through games and song by a specialist teacher ( not available at present due to Covid)

Impact

Children will know more and remember more about MFL.

Children will recognise and apply key French vocabulary verbally.

Children will be able to apply their phonic knowledge in order to pronounce new words.

Children will be able to write a limited amount in French.

The large majority of children will achieve age related expectations by the end of the year.

Reading materials  -We also have French stories available in school and encourage children to read these during independent reading or as a link to their work during French lessons.

KS1 – Although French isn’t taught as a curriculum subject in Key Stage 1, pupils are encouraged to begin using basic French as part of their daily routine. For example, answering the register in French.