Modern Foreign Languages
At Thorndown Primary School, we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. Learning a modern foreign language is vital to becoming a global citizen, as it helps the learner to appreciate the language, culture, religion and people of another country; appreciating their similarities and differences. It also helps pupils to develop their communication skills including key skills of speaking and listening and extending their knowledge of how language works.
Specifically the aims and objectives of the MFL curriculum include:
- To foster an interest in language learning by introducing children to other languages in a way that is enjoyable and accessible to all pupils;
- To stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language and creativity in experimenting with it;
- To support oracy and literacy, and in particular develop speaking and listening skills;
- To help children develop their awareness of cultural similarities and differences and to provide a vehicle for multi-cultural understanding.
- To lay the foundations for future language study;
- To provide an added perspective on first language teaching and learning;
- To give an extra dimension to teaching and learning across the curriculum;
We have implemented the teaching of French for all children from Y3-Y6. Each class receives dedicated French lessons every week for around an hour, delivered by a specialist language teacher, fluent in French. This allows for the teaching of a foreign language to be progressive & consistent throughout the school, regardless of staff movement.
All children have a dedicated French exercise book.
Pupils follow progressive scheme of work. Recognising children’s prior learning, they are taught purposeful skills, concepts and vocabulary. Culture & francophone countries are covered at various points across the schemes of work. Lessons follow the “listen”, “repeat”, “practise” and “show” model of learning. They are ‘chunked’, fast paced and include speaking, listening and reading skills and sometimes a writing activity in any given lesson. Consolidation is vital and lessons are based on practising the same learning point in the different skill areas, (listening, speaking, reading & writing). Children are engaged in a variety of enjoyable learning activities such as, games, playground games, songs, dance, videos, interactive whiteboard activities, PowerPoint presentations, role-plays and kinaesthetic resources such as pair cards, dominoes, authentic story books and props.
If you would like to investigate the National Curriculum Programme of Study further, please refer to the link below;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239042/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Languages.pdf
Please click HERE to view the Progression of Skills
