Languages

Intent

At Rowde, we use the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. All pupils will be expected to achieve their full potential by encouraging high expectations and excellent standards in their foreign language learning - the ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond Key Stage 2.

The four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught and all necessary grammar will be covered in an age-appropriate way across the primary phase. This will enable pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning and also helping the children improve overall attainment in other subject areas. In addition, the children will be taught how to look up and research language they are unsure of and they will have a bank of reference materials to help them with their spoken and written tasks going forward.

The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.

Implementation

We follow the National Curriculum for MFL and the children in KS2 progressively develop skills in French through well-planned lessons using the Language Angels Scheme of Work. French is taught weekly to children from Year 3, and lessons are focused on developing the four key language learning skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Cross-curricular topics also allow French to become embedded in children’s learning. Our children learn through active participation in actions, rhymes, stories, song, grammar focus, video clips, sentence structure, dictionary work and may other creative ways to extend, embed and combine language skills.

As well as each subsequent lesson within a unit being progressive, units increase in level of challenge, stretch and linguistic and grammatical complexity. Children in Year 3 begin learning French and then their skills, knowledge and understanding progress throughout their time in KS2. The units of work contain progressively more challenging activities and lessons will have more content as the children become more confident and ambitious with the foreign language they are learning. Lessons offering appropriate levels of challenge are taught at all times to ensure children learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the language they are learning.

Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their French language learning journey through the primary phase. Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.

Impact

Children at Rowde are encouraged to understand the relevance of what they are learning in languages and how it relates to everyday life, work and travel. It is emphasised how the language could help them in another country or to talk to a French speaker, both now and in their future careers. Teachers foster an enjoyment of languages through a variety of lessons including interactive, singing and outdoor lessons. Progression through a topic should be evident in the development of key skills and acquisition of main vocabulary. Each term, in the final session, the children complete some low-stakes assessment activities to inform future planning and retrieval activities. Evidence is kept of children’s work in knowledge organiser booklets. French is monitored by the subject leader throughout all year groups in Key Stage 2 using a variety of strategies such as book scrutinises, lesson observations, staff discussions and pupil questionnaires. Feedback is then given to teachers at staff meetings and we reflect on the subject and pupil progress frequently as a team. 

French Overview - Knowledge and Vocabulary ProgressionFrench Skills ProgressionFrench Grammar ProgressionLanguages policy