Subject Leader: Mr Laithwaite

Intent

At Temple Sowerby CE Primary, we believe that learning a foreign language and exposing children to the way of life in other countries develops a better cultural awareness and understanding of the world. We want to equip children with the knowledge and skills required to help them explore other cultures through a high-quality language education that engages, inspires and challenges them.

Children are taught French as a foreign language throughout Key Stage 2. Our aim is to develop understanding and communication in a new language through speaking and listening skills. Throughout their lessons, which address the core aims of the National Curriculum, children have the opportunity to ask and answer questions using correct pronunciation and grammar. Children are taught words and phrases through practical activities such as games and songs.  They work in pairs or small groups to communicate in a modern foreign language allowing them to develop an understanding of basic grammar.

Implementation

French is taught on a weekly basis by a subject specialist to develop key skills, promote enjoyment of learning languages and embed the purpose and importance of the subject. The core aims of the National Curriculum are addressed in each lesson. Our approach to the planning, assessment and teaching of French is streamlined by being delivered by one teacher to ensure consistency and the highest standards of teaching and learning. 

Our teaching of French aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing
• acquire knowledge of France and understand some of its culture
• embed this knowledge alongside learning across the whole taught curriculum

Impact

By the end of Key Stage 2, children will have explored the French language and been introduced to the culture of France. They will have been given opportunities to listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding. They will have explored the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and engaged in conversations, where they ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others. They will have practised speaking in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures and will have begun to develop accurate pronunciation and intonation. Children will have had the opportunity to present ideas and information orally and to read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing. They will have experienced different stories, songs, poems and rhymes in French and have had the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words including through using a dictionary. Children will have begun to develop their understanding of basic grammar and their ability to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly.

For further details of how French is taught at Temple Sowerby CE Primary School, including our long-term planning and progression documents, please see our policy below. You can also see our long-term plan and how this meets the requirements of the National Curriculum at our Curriculum Design page.