Intent
FRENCH at Henry Chadwick offers a carefully planned sequence of lessons, ensuring progressive coverage of the skills required by the National Curriculum. Chosen themes provide an introduction to the culture of French speaking countries and communities. This helps to foster children’s curiosity and help deepen their understanding of the world. A linear curriculum has been chosen to allow opportunities for children to gradually build on their skills. Our French enables children to express their ideas and thoughts in French and provides opportunities to interact and communicate with others both in speech and writing. There is a desire to expose children to authentic French, so the scheme offers regular opportunities to listen to native speakers.
In lower KS2, children acquire basic skills and understanding of French with a strong emphasis placed on developing their speaking and listening skills. Pupils use th3eir communication skills to practise and embed new vocabulary and phrases. These will be embedded and further developed in Upper KS2, alongside reading and writing, gradually progressing onto more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy.
We intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of languages and to expand their horizons towards other countries, cultures and people.
We aim to help children grow into curious, confident and resilient language learners and to provide them with a foundation that will equip them for further language studies.
Implementation
Each MFL lesson follows the recommended three strand structure of phonics, vocabulary and grammar.
To achieve this:
Every lesson starts with a French phonics session to introduce or recap a sound
Sessions that extend vocabulary
Grammar i.e. French verb tenses, sentences structures etc
Songs to revisit basic vocabulary.
Games, quizzes and challenges
Listening skills – listen and repeat
Partner talk
In addition, children apply French skills in daily situations
Impact
A full range of resources and display materials are used during lesson time which increases the profile of languages across the school.
Cross-curricular skills are developed such as geographical, mathematical and reading.
Our curriculum is ambitious, going beyond the Primary National Curriculum. Learners leave Henry Chadwick with a strong foundation and secure knowledge on which to build in Year 7. Evidence from past pupils and the MFL departments of local schools supports this.
