Intent

At CSPA, the intention of our MFL curriculum is to foster pupils’ curiosity about and deepen their understanding of the world they live in.  Our aim is that all children will have the confidence to explore other countries’ cultures and languages, accepting that, in a multicultural society, it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively in another language.

We aim to see all children speaking French with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, and understanding both written and spoken language on a wide range of topics.  We intend to ensure that our pupils can write in French, expressing their own ideas and opinions, as well as writing about information gathered from a variety of authentic sources, using accurate grammar and vocabulary they have learnt.

We aim to prepare the children for the KS3 curriculum to enable them to transfer confidently and successfully, as well as nurture a love of languages that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

Implementation

French will be taught across all year groups in one hour lessons, with each class having 2 lessons every 3 weeks.  The lessons will include Phonics, Grammar, Vocabulary and an introduction to French culture and geography.  The curriculum is based on the Twinkl Plan-It French Scheme of Work, but has content and resources from a variety of other materials.  

Each lesson has a brief phonics recap, and many opportunities for the children to learn in a range of styles.  Throughout the lessons, every child has the opportunity to listen to and repeat new vocabulary, practice speaking using familiar language, and read and write both new and known French words and phrases.  All of these activities take place as a whole class, in small groups or pairs, and with the children working independently.  Alongside this, the children practice what they are learning through songs, games, interaction with a puppet, listening to stories and a wide variety of other activities.  Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.

The whole school curriculum starts with the children learning how to greet each other and how to talk about themselves in Year 3, and moves through many topics relevant to their lives, such as food, hobbies and time.  By Year 6, the children will be learning in detail about a French town and what life in France is like, while growing an increasing bank of vocabulary and accurate use of grammar.

At the start of each lesson, the children are made aware of the aim and the success criteria.  As the lesson progresses, they are reminded of these, and at the end they have the opportunity to assess their own learning against these criteria.   The teacher will use assessment for learning throughout each lesson to ensure all children are making progress and accessing the curriculum at a level suitable for them.

Impact

Our MFL curriculum ensures that children develop their knowledge of where different languages, including the range of home languages spoken by the families of the school and French, are spoken in the world.  Varied learning experiences also ensure that languages are celebrated throughout the school community, whilst providing a context for language learning. This ties in with other curriculum areas including PSHE, RE, History and Geography.

Children will be provided with opportunities to communicate with each other in French.  Children will learn how language skills can be applied to a range of languages, and will leave Year 6 ready and equipped to learn any new languages offered in Year 7.   The children will be aware that language has structure, and will develop their own 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 French and Francophile culture, and will have an awareness of the rich variety of cultures of the world they live in.