Curriculum / French at The Leys
"A different language is a different vision of life."
Federico Fellini
At The Leys, we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a rich, exciting and invaluable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. We believe that learning another language gives children a new and broader perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand both their own culture and those of others.
At the Leys, we aim to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils in KS2. Children in the EYFS and KS1 are introduced to MFL through exploring other cultures and languages informally where appropriate
Our specific aims are:
To give all children solid foundations in learning a new language in order to adequately prepare them for KS3
To cover the four key language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing as well as basic grammar, in an age-appropriate way
For pupils to enjoy learning and developing a genuine interest in and life long curiosity for foreign languages
For pupils to explore relationships between language and identity and develop understanding and tolerance for other cultures
At the Leys, all KS2 classes have access to a well planned and progressive language curriculum based on the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. There is clear progression throughout the key stage, with units linking to the 12 teaching requirements set out in the Department for Education Languages Programme of Study. French lessons are taught weekly, enhancing children’s skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Grammar is integrated and taught discreetly throughout all appropriate units. In Year 3, French begins with the basics –the teaching of simple words and phrases - and progresses to understanding conversations and longer texts in Year 6. The school has a whole school French overview in place which serves as an overall ‘teaching map’ outlining what each class in each year group will be taught and when it will be taught.
Subject Overview 2023 - 2024
The outcome of MFL teaching in our school will be to ensure that our children are equipped with the foundational language skills and knowledge in French that will enable them to access the curriculum at KS3 with confidence.
Teachers will have a clear overview of what they are working towards and if they are meeting these criteria. They will use the long-term planning documents provided to ensure the correct units are being taught to the correct classes at each stage of the scholastic year. Pupils will be aware of their own learning goals and progression as each unit offers a pupil friendly overview so that all pupils can review their own learning at the end of each unit. Children are expected to make good or better than good progress in their foreign language learning and their individual progress is reported to pupils and parents / carers in line with school recommendations.
What our pupils say about their learning French!
‘My grandparents live in France. When I go there I love to speak French’
Year 2 Pupil
‘I like French. It sounds nice. I like to learn French songs’
Year 3 pupil
'I like to learn about France and French people, food they like and games they play’
Year 6 Pupil.
What helps you to learn French?
‘Language Angels helps by modelling the pronunciation’
‘I use an app at home’
'Using silly ways to remember words'
'Saying it lots of times'
"Writing it helps you to remember'
"Songs, word searches and puzzles'
'The teacher does it with us'
In addition to following the lessons provided in the Language Angels scheme of work and resources, teachers are encouraged to also do some of the following:
Class registers to be taken in French.
French Fridays to be incorporated into the class teaching and learning with teachers actively encouraging children to practise French words/phrases regularly.
Cookery sessions of French traditional foods/ Weather forecasts
French bears in Year 3 and Year 4 - Children have the opportunity to take our French Bears home and make them feel welcome by doing something French at home with them, for example: looking up some French words in the dictionary, cooking or baking French food or drawing a picture of something French.
Children in KS2 classes have got remote access to online games using their Language Angels class logins.
French Day/Week –a whole school celebration with a wide range of cross curriculum activities that help children develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them.
Last week the whole school celebrated French week. In EYFS, the children have learnt some French
words and the nursery rhyme Frere Jacques. They also tasted pancakes with various toppings. The
children have learnt lots of facts about the Eiffel Tower and have had fun building their own models. The children made their own French flags and drew pictures of famous French landmarks. In Year 1, the children have been learning the French words for the different colours of the rainbow. Each day for the register the children would reply in a new French word that they have learnt throughout the week. In Year 3, the children also practised their colours in French, enjoyed eating the baguettes and jam and then learned the French words for them. Year 4 children researched Paris on the chrome books and were speaking to each other in class in French. In Year 5, the children designed a French map and learnt about the main geographical features of France (names of oceans and seas, mountains, rivers, bordering countries and the main cities). Children in Year 6 researched France and then were tasked to present the information gathered in a clear, meaningful way as a double page spread in their geography books. During the school P.E. lessons, the children have been practising counting in French. Mr Byford has also taught the children different instructions in French, such as ‘sit down (asseyez-vous)’ and ‘listen (écouter)’.
This week we have been celebrating French day. The theme was ‘Les Couleurs ‘. Children have had lots of fun learning French names for colours by taking part in many colour themed activities such as colour hunt in the meadow, creating pictures of rainbows and making colourful streamers. Children have also learnt and recorded French songs called ’Toutes les couleurs dumonde’ (All the colours of the world) and ‘Les Couleurs en Français’ (French Colours Song).In Early Years children have made French flags and enjoyed creating a rainbow with Skittles. Both children and teachers have had lots of fun taking photos with French props. We have all had a mini taste of France eating French baguettes with butter and jam. We have had lots of fun!
BBC Bitesize French -
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Duolingo - www.duolingo.com
The French Experiment - www.thefrenchexperiment.com
Learn the Rainbow Song and revise your colours inFrench -
www.youtube.com/watch
www.bbc.co.uk/primaryschoolsongs
Revise your numbers in French -
www.youtube.com/watch
