Communication and Shared Understanding is Part of our Gospel Values

We follow Gospel Values that include community and co-operation, respect and friendship. Through sharing more than one language, we learn about communicating with people from other communities. As children begin to learn French, we hope that this inspires them to widen their communication skills and build new friendships.

Modern Foreign Language (MFL)

Our MFL is French and KS2 are taught weekly by a specialist teacher. Conversational French Club is offered for Year 2 upwards and disadvantaged pupils may access at no charge.

Intent

We recognise that learning a modern foreign language is an entitlement for all pupils during their time in Key Stage 2, and we are committed to the principle that learning another language helps foster a curiosity and deeper understanding of other cultures and the world in general. We believe that learning to understand, speak, read and write another language will provide the basis for learning other languages, which in turn will provide important opportunities for future study and work in other countries. We hope to provide a lifelong respect of other cultures and languages and respect the diverse culture we live in.  We recognise that language learning in its broadest sense has three core strands: learning to communicate, learning about language and learning about and comparing different cultures (intercultural understanding). One of the main benefits  for children of learning a modern foreign language at primary school level is social one. A specialist teacher delivers this learning. 

 Implementation

Children will listen to spoken language and show understanding through speaking and writing. They will explore the patterns and sounds of languages through song and rhymes, linking this to spelling, sound and meaning of words.

As well as engaging in conversations, asking questions and expressing opinions.

Children will speak in phrases and sentences as well as read and show understanding of words phrases and language structure. 

During KS2 we will develop intonation and pronunciation when speaking and reading aloud. This will enable us to

• present ideas to peers
• appreciate stories, poems, songs and rhymes
• develop their ability to use new words that are introduced into written material, including dictionary work
• write sentences from memory and create new sentences
• describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing
• to understand basic grammar including gender, verb conjugation and patterns in language

Impact

Learning another language presents opportunities for the reinforcement of knowledge, skills and understanding developed in other curriculum areas using aspects of literacy, such as speaking and listening skills, knowledge and understanding of grammatical structures and sentence construction and in numeracy such as counting, calculations, money, time and the date.

It enables us to promote the concept of a global citizen through maps and as well as develop pupils' cultural awareness of Europe and other French-speaking countries