Modern Foreign Language - French
Learning a foreign language is part of the primary National Curriculum and is a requirement for all children within key stage 2. At St Mary Magdalene, we have adopted a whole school approach to the teaching of French to all KS2 pupils through the Language Angels scheme.
We believe that by creating an environment where our children can explore ideas about the world that they live in, will help to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in the modern world. Our aspiration for the children is that they leave our school ready to enjoy all that the modern world offer.
Our aim is to develop the confidence and competence of each child in the foreign language they are learning. Our goal is for them to be passionate, curious and confident about their own foreign language learning abilities when they finish the primary school phase of their education. Our vision is for all pupils to become lifelong language learners.
Key language skills
We will help them develop and demonstrate substantial progress in the 5 key language skills necessary for learning French:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Grammar
We also aim to ensure that pupils of all abilities develop solid foundations in these key language learning skills - properly preparing them for the next stage of their language learning journey. These skills will develop children’s ability to understand what they hear and read and enable them to express themselves in speech and writing. We will extend their knowledge of how language works and explore the similarities and differences between the foreign language they are learning and English. We will also help strengthen their sense of identity through learning about culture in other countries and comparing it with their own.
Recently we have introduced French in KS1, so that children are better prepared for KS2. Children in reception listen to and join in with French nursery rhymes. They also respond to the register in French. Children in year 1 and 2 are introduced to counting in French as well as responding to simple instructions. We are also working on delivering an ambitious French curriculum that focuses on cross curricular links and creativity to compliment our current learning scheme.
