Our Subject Leader for French is Mrs Hussain.
The national curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils:
- understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
- 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
- can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
- discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied
Curriculum Intent
At Gilnow Primary School, we recognise that the skills, knowledge and understanding gained through learning a language contribute to the development of children’s literacy and to their understanding of their own culture and those of others. The vast majority of children in our school already speak more than one language fluently, but we appreciate the opportunity for French to be a new language experience that is shared collectively by the children. Our curriculum is designed to progressively develop children’s skills in languages and enable children to use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. In planning, we actively incorporate links to develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries, through our British Values and curriculum enrichment opportunities. At Gilnow Primary School, we will prepare children for the KS3 language curriculum to enable them to transfer confidently and successfully.
Curriculum Implementation
We teach French across Key Stage 2. The school uses the “Language Angels” scheme of work to support the teaching and learning of French. This provides clear progression for the development of speaking, listening and vocabulary. A typical French lesson includes development of pronunciation through learning French sounds, new vocabulary being introduced, conversations, role play and development of French writing skills.
At Gilnow we ensure a consistent approach to teaching French in every year group by following these expectations:
- Pre learning assessment based on previous year groups or learning.
- Short and precise vocabulary sessions are delivered at least 3 times a week to ensure the language is embedded.
- 1st lesson to discuss vocabulary and any unfamiliar words
- 1 video per half term to evidence learnt vocabulary/ phrases
- Post learning assessment based on learning from knowledge mat.
We use a variety of the following techniques to encourage children to have an active engagement with French:
- Role-play – these should relate to the situations the children may find themselves in the future.
- Action songs and rhymes – to develop phonetic skills, memory skills and to further vocabulary.
- Reading and writing quality materials.
- Displays are used to remind children of key vocabulary.
- Visual prompts are used to support children in translating new vocabulary.
Curriculum Impact
Through the high quality first teaching of French taking place, we will see the impact of the subject in the following ways:
Children at Gilnow Primary School will:
- Become aware that a language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another.
- Develop their language and communication through development of the four key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of the French culture.
- Transfer to KS3 effectively and successfully and will be well prepared to continue and develop their language skills.
