Modern Foreign Languages

Intent

At Norwood Primary School, all pupils in Key Stage 2 are taught French. By the end of their Primary years, pupils will have gained a wide and varied repertoire of vocabulary, some generic phrases and some more topic specific. Pupils will be able to write and read key elements of the French Language, interpret songs, infer from stories and will do so with increasing confidence and independence.

We understand that younger children are intrinsically better language learners and will therefore become more proficient in another language quicker. Secondly, in the increasingly globalised world, intercultural competence is essential and so it is vital that we awaken pupil’s interests at a time when they are more receptive. Learning another language opens doors for pupils later on in life and instilling a love for languages at a young age puts pupils in good stead for the future.

Our aim is for pupils to become aware and appreciative of the different languages and cultures across the world. As well as building a confidence that allows them to communicate, explore and instil a broader cultural understanding.

Implementation: How is the curriculum being delivered?

As a school, pupils receive a minimum of three hours every half-term, most classes receiving half an hour a week whilst others doing a French day. We choose to deliver French through a programme called Kapow. Whilst this programme is not used as a scheme, more of a guide, it does offer pupils the chance to learn a wide range of vocabulary within various topics as well as providing opportunities to speak, listen and write. Our curriculum objectives are divided into various strands:

• 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.

The curriculum is delivered in a fun and interactive way, through vocabulary games, voice recordings, songs, stories and a variety of learning tasks designed by either the designated programme or the class teacher.

Each unit ends with a story that encompasses all that has been taught within a topic. On most occasions, learning from prior units or year groups are also present ensuring that our curriculum is progressive and purposeful.

Impact: What difference is the curriculum making?

MFL helps pupils develop a Growth Mindset by having to learn something brand new, persevering, often with initial difficulties and confusion that learning a new subject can bring and practising new vocabulary or correct pronunciation of keywords in order to improve and perfect performance.  

It teaches pupils to have an appreciation of different cultures and sparks curiosity of other languages across the world which pupils may wish to explore further in later life. 

How does MFL link to other areas of the curriculum?

English – Teaching MFL provides opportunities for pupils to practice both their listening and speaking skills. It also supports pupils understanding of a range of features such as rhyme and repetition and highlights the importance of understanding word classes such as verbs, nouns, propositions etc… and their place within a sentence.

Maths – Pupils are constantly using the number system through various games and topics taught. In addition to this, pupils are expected to use the French date in their books. In some units, pupils use their knowledge of money and in others pupils look at directions and placement of objects.

PSHE - MFL teaching is a social subject. Pupils have to regularly communicate with others and listen carefully to their peers before responding. MFL also provides pupils with a chance to learn about different cultures and learn to appreciate the lives of people in different countries.

Computing – Kapow uses a lot of interactive resources and games to embed vocabulary. Pupils can access these both as a class and on individual devices.

Geography – Pupils learn the names of various countries across the world and focus in on key places and monuments within certain countries. In addition to this, pupils learn about different animals and the role that they play within agriculture.

PE – Pupils look at various sports and hobbies and use this vocabulary to talk about their own favourite sports and the reasons as to why they enjoy them.