Modern Foreign Languages
Overview
At Rathfern Primary School, we celebrate all languages spoken in our school community. We encourage children to speak their home languages and celebrate these languages in the classroom wherever possible. Children across the school learn French as a Primary Foreign Language.
In EYFS and Key Stage 1, French is taught through songs and games. In Key Stage 2, we follow Primary Language Network’s scheme of work which ensures a progressive, well sequenced and engaging approach to developing the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Children in Year 4 have the opportunity to apply their linguistic skills during a daytrip to Northern France, and and our Language Ambassadors work across the school to embed French in the day to day life of the school. Our strong links with Modern Foreign Languages departments at local secondary schools enable us to provide taster sessions and other enrichment activities.
Intent
Our intent is for children to value learning languages, and to empower them to develop a ‘can-do’ approach. The Key Stage 2 curriculum supports children to develop the building blocks they need in order to become confident linguists through a focus on vocabulary, grammar and phonic awareness. We aim for our school to become a truly bilingual school, with a ‘whole school’ approach to language learning, with French commands being used throughout the day. Children are also supported to develop a critical awareness of the social, cultural and historical context in which French has come to be a major global language. This supports the children to understand their place in the world as global citizens.
Implementation
We implement our Key Stage 2 French curriculum using the Primary Language Network scheme, which provides a structured and progressive framework with regular opportunities for retrieval. In key stage 2, weekly lessons are delivered by class teachers. Pupils engage in a wide range of speaking, listening, reading and writing activities that provide a solid foundation for language learning. This prepares our pupils for the transition to learning Modern Foreign Languages in Year 7. In addition, each half term, a language spoken within our school community is celebrated through our Language of the Month focus.
Impact
The impact of our Primary Foreign Language curriculum is evident in the strong foundation pupils develop. They have a genuine passion for learning languages. Assessment is built into each unit of learning. Pupil voice and learning outcomes are used to inform future planning and ensure continuous improvement. Due to our Language of the Month focus, members of our school community value their home languages. Our inclusive community fosters a sense of belonging and embraces language diversity.
Curriculum Map
The Scheme of Work overview provides a stage by stage breakdown of topics taught across Key Stage 2.
This document is accessible here:
french scheme of work overview.pdf
The Knowledge Organiser Index provides detailed information regarding the vocabulary, phonics and grammar that are taught within each topic, including recorded clips to support pronunciation. Vocabulary and key concepts are revisited and built upon each year to ensure deep understanding and schematic knowledge.
The Knowledge Organiser document is accessible here:
ks2 french knowledge organiser index.pdf
Progression of Skills
The progression of skills document outlines clear development from Stage 1 (Year 3) to Stage 4 (Year 6) in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
This document is accessible here:
french progress overview of key skills.pdf
The French Phonics Map shows a selection of key sounds per half term, and vocabulary from each topic containing those sounds throughout the Key Stage 2 Scheme of Work.
This document is accessible here:
Each half term, a language spoken within our school community is celebrated through our Language of the Month focus. All children learn greetings, simple rhymes and other key vocabulary from that language. The half term culminates in children and their families helping to create an assembly to share and celebrate the language of the month. As a result, our children understand and value their own languages. Furthermore, as a community we welcome our social diversity and develop our intercultural understanding.
Gallery
Pupil Voice
