Modern Foreign Languages

Intent

Through our French curriculum at Barley Croft Primary School, we aim to promote pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world beyond their locality. We believe that the learning of and immersion in other languages and cultures, is extremely important in order for our children to broaden their understanding of the world and its rich diversity. Our curriculum enables pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in French and to respond, both orally and in writing. We provide our children with engaging opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read and appreciate French literature. We strive to embed the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts and we aim to prepare them for further language learning. 

Implementation

At Barley Croft Primary School, we teach French using a scheme of work called Language Angels. Due to the introduction of this new scheme of work and the teaching of the French language, the decision has been taken for all KS2 children to be taught 6 units which sit within the “Early Language” area of the curriculum. Children will build on previous knowledge gradually as their foreign language lessons continue to recycle, revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

In the next academic year (2023 – 2024), LKS2 (year 3 and 4) will be taught the year-appropriate French units either in larger groups of 45 due to the 1.5 form entry or in the mixed year group classes, a Toggling teaching approach will be adapted to ensure the correct content is taught to each year group. Years 5 and 6 will be taught the year 4 unit of work to ensure their language learning is progressive. This approach will be continued until all year groups have caught up with the language curriculum they should have covered during their time at Primary School. For further details on the implementation of the new French scheme, please see the Language Angels policy documentation.     

Impact

When children leave Barley Croft they will be able;

1. To greet somebody and introduce yourself.
2. To communicate orally in sentences using basic manners.
3. To ask and answer questions as well as expressing opinions and seeking clarification and help.
4. To appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in French.
5. To develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are communicating.
6. To understand basic French grammar and how to apply this to build sentences.
7. To write phrases from memory and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas.
8. To have an understanding of the number system and confidently count to 100.
9. To describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing.
10.  To read the French language carefully and show an understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.