Chandlers Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 9RS
Modern Foreign Languages
Intent
Bonjour et bienvenue à l’école Skyswood!
We believe that Modern Foreign Languages are an essential part of a broad, balanced curriculum. French is taught at Skyswood Primary & Nursery School. However, this language is encompassed within an awareness of languages around the world. Our vision is to ensure that language learning is fun and to foster a desire to continue with languages into Key Stage 3 and beyond. Skyswood children will be supported to achieve their full potential, inclusive of all abilities and backgrounds. Our aim for Modern Foreign Languages is to instil a passion for languages, to encourage children’s curiosity and understanding of the world, to develop an understanding of what it means to be a linguist, and to provide a strong foundation including a depth of French vocabulary, along with the grammatical skills to use this language in, so that children are able to converse at a basic level across a range of different topics.
J’aime le Francais!
(Amelie - Skyswood pupil)
Implementation
Throughout Key Stage Two, the children have a one-hour weekly lesson with our dedicated Modern Foreign Languages teacher, Madame Cheshire. These lessons are supplemented with a few shorter, informal activities to consolidate their learning throughout the week, Our Modern Foreign Languages scheme of work adheres to all of the end points outlined in the National Curriculum Programme of Study. Our curriculum is logically sequenced to ensure progression across the four key language learning skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – and challenges every child at their own level. Topics are chosen to provide our children with the ability to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts. Previous knowledge and skills are continuously revisited and built upon as they progress through Skyswood School. Cultural understanding is a key area within the teaching of our MFL curriculum; we are educating our children for a successful future as global citizens.
I have grown in confidence and really enjoy my French lessons
(Declan - Skyswood pupil)
Impact
At the end of their Skyswood learning journey, our children leave with a positive attitude towards language learning, feeling confident and successful as linguists. They will have gained a sense of achievement from learning to speak in a foreign language, thus boosting their self-esteem, confidence and communication skills. The children will have a solid foundation in French phonics, vocabulary and grammar, enabling them to express themselves in a foreign language. We have ensured that our scheme of work provides the knowledge and skills needed to enable a smooth transition into secondary school.
Merci et à bientôt!
I’ve really enjoyed writing to my French pen-pal
(Emily - Skyswood pupil)
Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs
At Skyswood, every child has equal access to the MFL Curriculum. Children that already speak languages other than English can make connections with their home language and French, which will enrich their knowledge. We feel that all languages should be embraced and celebrated. French lessons involve listening activities, stories, songs, role plays, games and visual resources and scaffolding which support children with SEN to access the curriculum. All children have the chance to share their developing knowledge, skills and understanding of French.
National Curriculum: MFL Programme of Study
