The French Curriculum at Woolaston Primary

Intent

At Woolaston Primary we believe that learning a foreign language is a necessary part of being a member of a multi-cultural society. It supports our pupils' understanding of cultural diversity and enables them to be globally aware citizens. To enable our children to celebrate and welcome differences in our world, it is vital they have an understanding of different languages and countries. By introducing and exposing our children to another language they will have a deepened ability to show respect and play a valuable part in our global society. A high quality languages education enriches the curriculum helping to create enthusiastic learners and supports the development of positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. The challenge of learning another language will support the pupils to demonstrate our school values and become resilient individuals.  This enjoyment in learning will support the children with their continued French studies or enable them to apply the skills they have learned to another language.

Implementation

We teach French across Key Stage 2 using the "Language Angels" scheme of work to support teaching and learning. This provides clear progression for the development of speaking and listening skills and vocabulary acquisition. The following techniques are used to encourage children to actively engage children in the lessons:

• Games

• Role-play

• Action songs and rhymes

• Reading and writing materials.

• ICT programs and websites

We build children’s confidence through praise for any contribution they make in the foreign language, however tentative.

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 Key Stage 2.  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 using simple French dictionaries, this skill will help them with their spoken and written tasks. 

Impact

Through the high quality teaching of French we will see the impact of the subject in the following ways:

• Children will be able to communicate with each other in French.
• Children will become aware that a language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another.
• Children will develop their language through development of the four key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
• Children will enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of the French culture.
• Children will learn how language skills can be applied to a range of languages.
• Children will transfer to KS3 effectively and successfully and will be well prepared to continue and develop their French language skills.