MFL – French

Mrs Carden is our Subject Lead.

Intent

The learning of a foreign language at Wrenbury will prepare pupils to participate in a world in which work and other activities are increasingly carried out in languages other than English.
Learning another language raises awareness of citizenship and gives children an insight into their own and other cultures.
Communication skills are developed through speaking and listening activities.
Literacy skills are developed through opportunities to understand how language works and to find differences or similarities between the learning of English and the foreign language.
Increased capability in another language promotes initiative, confidence and independent learning, whilst encouraging diversity in society.

Aims
The aims of learning a modern foreign language in Wrenbury Primary School are:
- to foster an interest in learning other languages;
- to introduce young children to another language in a way that is enjoyable and fun;
- to make young children aware that language has structure and that the structure differs from one language to another;
- to help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries;
- to develop their speaking and listening skills;
- to lay the foundations for future study and potential employment

Implementation
The school offers French as a modern foreign language. Children begin being exposed to the French language in Reception and Key Stage 1 through songs, giving a name to the things they can see, hear, feel and learning to count. In KS2, French lessons are delivered on a weekly basis throughout the year using the Rachel Hawkes scheme of work (licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Listening and speaking are the skills emphasised in EYFS and KS1, with the addition of reading and writing in KS2. Effective communication and fostering a positive attitude towards language learning are actively encouraged, with building confidence in every child considered to be essential, whatever their ability. Constant praise is given for any contribution made in the foreign language, however tentative.
Cultural understanding is developed from the beginning and in KS2 is reinforced by watching short films and by tasting typical French food and drink.

Impact
By the end of KS1, children will be using the correct pronunciation and intonation. They will also have memorised and be able to recite numerous rhymes and songs which will form a foundation of vocabulary for KS2. For example, colours, the weather and giving directions.
By the end of each KS2 year, they will increasingly be able to:
- speak in the French language using good phonetic knowledge, pronunciation and intonation
- ask and answer questions.
- memorise words and be able to engage in various language games using their vocabulary.
- interpret meaning and understand texts of varying length.
- understand basic grammar
- use dual language dictionaries
- look at and appreciate life in another culture.

Celebration of the children's learning is shared with an audience with at least one French song being sung as part of the school's annual EYFS/KS1 Nativity and KS2's Carol Service.