Intent, Implementation, Impact

The national curriculum ensures that all are prepared for a rich and varied journey in Modern Foreign Languages:

• 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

At Mill Hill Primary School, we want to provide children with a range of experiences to help them to develop their skills in French, to help them to enhance and apply their understanding of the French language and culture. Learning a foreign language is a necessary part of being a member of a multi-cultural society and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. 

The teaching should enable children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping children to study and work in other countries.

Children have fortnightly 20 minute lessons in French throughout Key Stage 2, following an overview which focuses on key skills for each year group.  Resources are created specifically for each skill and adapted for each ability. After a key skill is introduced, this is then visited during the following week, in short 10 minute revisit sessions.

It is intended that when children leave Mill Hill Primary, they will have a natural curiosity and confidence to explore, other countries, cultures and languages, accepting that, in a multi-lingual society it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively with others in another language.  They will be engaged and prepared to continue language learning at Secondary School.

Implementation

At Mill Hill Primary School, we implement a French curriculum which is progressive throughout Key Stage 2. French is taught termly as a separate subject focusing on knowledge and skills from the National Curriculum.  At Mill Hill, we ensure that this subject has the same importance given to it as the core subjects.

The school focuses on the skills necessary for the children to engage in another language and culture.

1. listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
2. explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
3. engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help
4. speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
5. develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases
6. present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences
7. read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
8. appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
9. broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
10. write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clear
11. describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing
12. understand basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant): feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.

Not only are these skills taught in a stand alone lesson, they are also implemented throughout the curriculum where links are purposeful.

Impact

The children's progress at Mill Hill Primary School is assessed throughout each lesson, which then enables the teacher to adapt and tailor their lessons for the needs of each individual child.

Learning walks are conducted by the MFL lead, where teaching and learning is monitored to ensure that the skills in French are covered and taught, and that progress is being made.

Each class has a vibrant, eye-catching display which consolidates and allows the children orally rehearse out of the stand-alone lesson time.

All work is celebrated, whether this is in class or as part of our Celebration Assembly.

By the end of their primary education, the children will be well equipped with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world.