French

Statement of Curriculum Intent – MFL – French

The Big Ideas for French are:

• Verbal Communication
• Speak Confidently
• Written Communication
• Read Appropriate Texts

The overarching aim of the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at Duxford Primary Academy is:

For our children to foster a deep interest in and appreciation for other cultures as they learn to understand and express themselves with increasing confidence in French. At Duxford, we encourage children to explore the relationship between language and identity, to develop an international outlook and an enhanced understanding of the world and their place within it. The content of our curriculum is outward looking, ambitious and aims to ensure that children develop their understanding and natural curiosity of the cultural diversity of the world. Pupils at Duxford Academy will develop specific knowledge of French throughout Key Stage 2. They do so by learning phonics, grammar and vocabulary that build links with primary English and enable pupils to develop competence with reading, writing, speaking and listening. Learning a language equips pupils to express themselves in new ways and enriches pupils’ experience with cultural insights into other people’s lives. This builds a positive understanding of key features of personal and national identity, values and beliefs. This is invaluable for moving beyond stereotypical views of the culture of a country, and discovering that the similarities are as striking as the differences.

Our aim is that children leave this school with an enthusiasm for languages, a good knowledge of France and its culture and an ability to express themselves verbally and in writing with a secure base of phonics, grammar and vocabulary.

The curriculum coverage ensures this. In the early stages of language learning, pupils learn how to produce the sounds of the language through the teaching and learning of phonics and phonic-related activities. Pupils then begin to build their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, leading to the ability to form simple sentences of their own. As learning continues, pupils are given opportunities to engage with the culture, learning about places, festivals, geography, climate and other aspects of daily life in countries where the language is spoken. Pupils develop confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the target language. There are clear links here with literacy, particularly through the teaching of grammar; these serve to enhance pupils’ language development.

Teaching should fulfil the requirements of the KS2 Programme of Study, and provide learning experiences that engage, enthuse and motivate all of our learners. In line with framework guidelines, all pupils learn French for no less than 60 minutes per week in total. The languages’ curriculum is aligned wherever appropriate with the learning context, content and aims of other subject areas to enhance the cohesion of learning experiences for our pupils and to develop the breadth, as well as the depth, of study.

Progression through the subject is from the Twinkl PlanIt French.  This curriculum offers a carefully planned sequence of lessons, ensuring progressive coverage of the skills required by the national curriculum. Our chosen themes introduce the culture of French-speaking countries and communities. They aim to foster children’s curiosity and help deepen their understanding of the world. A linear curriculum has been chosen to allow opportunity for children to gradually build on their skills. PlanIt French enables children to express their ideas and thoughts in French and provides opportunities to interact and communicate with others both in speech and in writing. At the heart of PlanIt French is the desire to expose children to authentic French, so the scheme offers regular opportunities to listen to native speakers.

In Lower KS2, children acquire basic skills and understanding of French with a strong emphasis placed on developing their Speaking and Listening skills. These will be embedded and further developed in Upper KS2, alongside Reading and Writing, gradually progressing onto more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy.

Through our PlanIt French scheme, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of languages and to expand their horizons to other countries, cultures and people. We aim to help children grow into curious, confident and reflective language learners and to provide them with a foundation that will equip them for further language studies.

Curriculum progression is as follows: (topics follow, see implementation map for details)

We revisit most themes each year reviewing and building to introduce the culture of French-speaking countries and communities along with the language learning.

We ensure that this curriculum links with other areas of curriculum by providing experiences and opportunities that both support and develop knowledge, language and skills.