Modern Foreign Languages
Intent
At Wold Newton Foundation School, children are taught to develop an interest in learning other languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating. Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children skills in languages, through regular taught lessons. National Curriculum objectives and age-related expectations are followed to ensure that pupils engage with the language and become competent linguists. Objectives include using the correct pronunciation, intonation and grammar. We strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning. Children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries whilst building curiosity about the language studied.
Implementation
Pupils understand and communicate ideas, facts and feelings in speech and writing, focused on familiar and routine matters, using their knowledge of phonology, grammatical structures and vocabulary. Additionally, children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. Within the school environment there is encouragement and support to develop speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games. There is a ‘phrase of the week’ and French challenge board which promotes an independence to discover more about the language. As confidence and skill grows, children record their work through pictures, captions and sentences. A wide range of texts will be used to highlight familiar and unfamiliar sounds whilst increasing the fluency of readers. All our children in KS2 will have regular language lessons and benefit from unrestricted teaching which follows no particular scheme. Instead, we draw on different resources that ensure the curriculum is challenging and linked to the standards of The National Curriculum.
Impact
The progression areas used, to plan and teach MFL, ensure that children are accessing work at age related expectations, with regular opportunities to be challenged through higher-level objectives. Children are assessed according to age related expectations in line with curriculum requirements. This is done in line with the school assessment calendar. This information is recorded and monitored by the co-ordinator.
How to Help at Home
Here are some suggestions for ways you can help your child:
- 1. Take your child to a museum
France has produced some of the most talented artists, such as Monet and Renoir. Check your local museum’s schedule to see when it is featuring a French-inspired exhibition and bring your child along. The admission for children is typically free.
- Celebrate French holidays
Celebrating important French holidays, such as Bastille Day, will teach your child about French history. Celebrate by making some fun crafts or taking part in holiday traditions. Similar to the Fourth of July, the French display fireworks.
- 3. Cook a French meal
Familiarize your child with French cuisine by having him or her help you whip up a traditional French meal. Your child can channel their inner Julia Child with traditional French dishes, such as quiche and crème brûlée.
- Watch a French movie
Fire up Netflix and host a French movie night with your family. Here are some kid-friendly French movies you and your child can enjoy: “A Monster in Paris,” “The Red Balloon,” and “Tintin and the Lake of Sharks.”
- Listen to French music
Do you have a Pandora or Spotify account? Download some French songs to listen to while at home or on the road. Listening to French music will help familiarize your child with French accents and pronunciations.
- Puzzles
You can download and print dozens of free French crosswords and word searches for your child. He or she will have fun playing, while simultaneously learning French vocabulary and simple sentences. Keep a stack in the car for long road trips.
- Memory game
Create some French flashcards and place them face down on a table. Your child will flip over two cards. If the pictures match, your child will flip over two more cards. The point of the game is to match all of the cards from memory.
- Colouring books
Purchase a French colouring book for. These colouring books will spark your child’s creativity, while helping him or her learn various vocabulary words and themes.
- Read French books
There are a ton of beginner French books. Le Petit Prince is one of the most well-known French children’s books. You can find the book in almost any book shop or online.
- Hangman
This French activity is played exactly like the original Hangman version, except you are using French vocabulary words and phrases instead of English.
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