Modern Foreign Languages
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at Christ Church CE VA Primary School
‘Together, with God’s love, we can achieve anything’
Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. Teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities to communicate for practical purposes and learn new ways of thinking. Learning another language gives children a new and broader perspective on the world, encouraging them to develop an understanding of cultural difference. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries and read literature in the original language.
Aims
The national curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils:
§ listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
§ explore the patterns and sounds of the language through songs and rhymes, linking the spelling, sound and meaning of words
§ engage in conversations, ask and answer questions and express opinions with increasing confidence while developing the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
§ read carefully and show understanding of words and phrases
§ write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using a variety of taught grammatical structures.
Intent
We intend that pupils:
Develop a positive attitude and enthusiasm for language learning that lay the foundations for future language learning.
Regularly practise a range of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to broaden vocabulary, develop understanding and enthuse learners.
Learn to communicate and justify opinions and preferences.
Use their growing knowledge of French phonics and grammar to increase their independence as language learners and improve the accuracy of their work.
Explore similarities and differences between the French and English languages.
Develop an understanding of a different culture.
Detail
Children at Christ Church learn French.
The pupils in EYFS and KS1 celebrate European Day of Languages annually. Children listen to stories, learn songs and rhymes and develop an awareness of another country’s culture in order to promote an enthusiasm for language learning.
In KS2, lessons are taught by our French Associate Language Teacher from the Primary Languages Network alternate half terms; class teachers teach the remaining half terms. Lessons last approximately 40 minutes per week. The School follows the Primary Languages Network Mixed-Age Scheme of Work; Knowledge Organisers are issued half-termly to summarise key vocabulary and the half term’s grammar and phonics focus. Core language is introduced and practised in lessons then revisited through regular in-class retrieval activities that build upon previously taught content. Plans are adapted to support and challenge pupils at all stages of their language learning. Pupils’ speaking, listening, reading and writing are assessed against attainment and progress expectations.
To promote an active learning of languages, a range of speaking, listening, reading and writing activities are employed to ensure the pupils are secondary-ready.
Activities consist of:
Kinaesthetic activities that link actions to new vocabulary.
Paired tasks that challenge pupils to manipulate language structure.
Rhymes, stories and songs for language enrichment.
Drama activities and role play to develop spontaneity, practise core language skills and offer the opportunity to develop and justify opinions.
Explicit teaching of French grammar and phonics to develop reading and writing confidence and independence.
Native-speaker video clips to develop listening skills and improve pronunciation.
Reading tasks which build language knowledge alongside an understanding of sentence structure.
Dictionary work to expand vocabulary and challenge all learners.
Seasonal activities to celebrate events and improve intercultural understanding.
We encourage language learning for a purpose by communicating regularly with our new link school, Collège Camille Pissarro, near Paris.
Impact:
Children are progressing to meet age-related expectations with the support of their Associate Language Teacher and class teachers. Alongside the development of core language and grammar skills, pupils are gaining an appreciation of French phonics, which is improving their reading and writing independence.
