MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The 2014 National Curriculum for MfL aims to ensure that all children:

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.

INTENT

We intend for our children to develop an appreciation of other languages and cultures. They will develop an increased knowledge of the spoken and written language of France. Children will begin to be able to express themselves and communicate coherently. We intend that children will develop a curiosity of the wider world and its cultures.

IMPLEMENTATION

Children explore French through a well-planned and structured series of lessons.  This exploration is implemented with both oral and written approaches to the subject. Our curriculum is planned as such that it provides our children with regular opportunities to revise and revisit their learning. Children actively participate in an oral rehearsal of communication and in the development of its written form.  They present their knowledge in a variety of ways, both teacher and child-led.

IMPACT

Children of MBHT leave school with increasing awareness, skills and knowledge of France and its language. This is then a platform for children to explore their future and be curious about the world around them.

Careers

Careers in languages continue to grow. The pupils at Matlock Bath Holy Trinity CofE Primary School could enter employment which requires various language skills for communication and interaction. The teaching and learning of languages supports careers, such as:

• Teacher
• Interpreter
• Detective
• Broadcast journalist
• Travel agent
• International aid/development worker
• Pilot
• Air cabin crew
• Living/working abroad

SMSC

At Matlock Bath Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, we aim to develop SMCS through languages by:

Spiritual

French supports spiritual development by exploring new language and vocabulary. Children are encouraged to express themselves in the target language.

Moral

French supports moral development by encouraging children to look, discuss and evaluate a range of social and moral issues found in other cultures.

Cultural

French supports the cultural development of a child by exposing them to a foreign language and culture. It helps to promote internationalism and their role within the world.

Social

French supports social development by encouraging a collaborative approach to learning. Children regularly converse in the target language. 

British Values

At Matlock Bath Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, we aim to promote British values through language learning. British values, including those of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs are embedded in the language curriculum.

Collaborative work in language lessons develops mutual respect for the differing opinions, beliefs and abilities of others. In addition, children learn to appreciate the value of similarities and differences and learn to show tolerance. A variety of experiences teaches them to appreciate that all people, and their views, are equally important.

Our languages curriculum provides a basis for teaching and learning about other cultures, and this is incorporated into many areas of the curriculum including personal and social education and citizenship, geography, religious education, design and technology, music, art and dance. We ensure that learning across the curriculum includes a ‘flavour’ of the countries where the focus language is spoken.

 The five fundamental British values are interwoven into the languages curriculum, in particular how they relate to culture of the countries in which French are spoken and the similarities and differences to life in Britain.

Useful links and websites

• BBC Bitesize - French 
• BBC Teach - French
• BBC Teach - Virtually There - France
• Top Marks - French games
• Crickweb - French games
• Language Angels 
• Top tips for learning French
• Online French games for adults and children
• Comptines pour enfants - nursery rhyme songs in French
• Duolingo
• Hello-World
• Children's library - online French books
• Monde des titounis - classic children's songs and stories