French

Intent

Mercenfeld intends to use the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious French language 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 intent is that all content will be continuously updated and reviewed annually, creating a dynamic programme of study. This will ensure that the foreign language knowledge of our pupils progresses within each academic year and is extended upon throughout Key Stage 2.

The four key language learning skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught and all necessary grammar and phonics 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. 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 cultural 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

All classes will have access to a very high-quality foreign languages curriculum using the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in foreign languages through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons. Children will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes – building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language.

Units, where possible and appropriate, will be linked to class topics and cross curricular themes. Children will build on previous knowledge gradually as their foreign language lessons continue to retrieve, revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Teachers will have a clear overview of what they are working towards and if they are meeting these criteria. At Mercenfeld, we want to build the children’s confidence by providing a range of practical activities such as songs and games which will help to build their knowledge of French.

Impact

Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language learning journey through the Key Stage 2 primary phase. Pupils will be aware of their own learning goals and progression during class assessment activities so that all pupils can review their own learning at the start and at the end of each unit. They will know and will be able to articulate if they have or have not met their learning objectives.

Previous language will be retrieved, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate. Children will develop and build the foundation skills in order for them to be ready for the challenges of learning languages in the future.