Intent
At Christ Church we believe that learning a foreign language will provide an opening to other cultures and will foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping children to study and work in other countries.
In French at Christ Church we aim to enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers - both in speech, reading and in writing. Pupils will speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
Implementation
At Christ Church we have chosen to study French in MFL (due to our geographical locational and based upon the language chosen in our local secondary schools too). This starts in Year 3, once a week during 30 minute sessions.
Since September 2021, we have followed Rachel Hawkes' French scheme of work, which meets the National Curriculum objectives. Pupils in Year 3-6 are following the same scheme (all started with Year 3 content) but this will build progressively each academic year.
Every year we start with a focus on phonics. Following on from this, new vocabulary is carefully introduced in lessons and it is revisited regularly and built upon to help pupils to remember, expand and extend their vocabulary knowledge. Also, through regular revisiting and recapping of new vocabulary (at the beginning of each lesson) the knowledge of long-term memory of pupils is instilled. The scheme is also designed to revisit the topics that have been taught in previous years, which further helps remember grammar and vocabulary. e.g. in Year 3 the numbers 1-12 are introduced and in Year 4 they are reviewed and numbers 13-31 are taught.
Impact
Our French curriculum ensures all pupils develop key language learning skills, as set out by the National Curriculum, as well as a love of languages and learning about other cultures.
Twice a year an assessment happens (progress check 1 and 2) at the end of term 3 and 6. Subject leaders speak to staff and pupils, conduct book looks and drop into lessons. The evidence gathered is shared and helps to ensure that the scheme of work is followed successfully and pupils improve their MLF knowledge and skill. Any areas for development are identified and a plan of action is formulated.
