Charford First School
Languages
Intent
At Charford First School, our Languages curriculum enables pupils to develop competence in another language (French). Pupils will be taught how to read, write, listen and speak in French, so that they can confidently understand and respond to French speakers. During French lessons, pupils will have the opportunity to gain cultural insight into a different culture and will be supported to understand and respect diversity. We hope that pupils at Charford develop a sense of belonging to the wider world, preparing them for future opportunities in modern life.
A Charford Linguist will:
• be curious and open to other cultures
• deepen their understanding of the world
• express their ideas and thoughts in another language
• respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing
• ask questions
• develop accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
• discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied
• can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
Implementation
At Charford, we follow a scheme of work from the “Primary Languages Network” (PLN). Our focus is to establish a high-quality languages curriculum; where we make the teaching and learning of primary foreign languages, effective and accessible for all. We want to ensure that the learning is creative, purposeful and memorable for all our learners. Lessons are adapted to meet the learning needs of our children to ensure that there is progression across the Key Stage.
In Key Stage Two, French is taught every half term. Through the Primary Languages Network’s virtual learning environment, children are taught by an experienced primary languages teacher and native French speaker, through high-quality pre-recorded video lessons. These lessons are supported by class teachers and are taken at a pace to suit the needs of the children. During these video lessons, new vocabulary is introduced and children have the opportunity to rehearse and revise spoken language elements. Each lesson begins with a simple recap of the previous learning, where children retrieve and apply taught vocabulary, through questioning and games. There are several opportunities for children to hear correct French intonation and pronunciation, and a focus on repeating what they have heard, in order to build their knowledge, understanding and confidence. Verbal activities are carried out as whole class or with learning partners. Most weeks, there is also a follow-up activity sheet to support core reading and writing skills. All four core skills of learning are targeted through the scheme and therefore allow children to make progress in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Each class across Key Stage Two has a working wall where essential core vocabulary is displayed. This vocabulary has been decided based on its frequency. The children can use the displays to encounter and use the vocabulary multiple times, in different contexts (for example: “écoutez” - listen, and “regardez” - look).
Every September, we celebrate European Day of Languages as a whole school. Children from Nursery to Year 4 are immersed in activities which celebrate different cultures, traditions, languages and communication, around Europe. Children have the opportunity to try new foods, listen to traditional music and to explore the importance and value of speaking different languages. Children in KS2 take part in traditional dance workshops and enjoy exploring the origins of language and words. Activities are planned accordingly to ensure progression across all year groups.
Programme of Study and Long-Term Planning
Websites
• BBC Bitesize KS2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z39d7ty
• BBC Class Clips KS2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/french-ks2-virtually-there-france/zjby8xs
• Crickweb KS2: http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2french.html
• Primary Games Arena: https://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/French
• BBC Class Clips KS1: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zr8jmp3
• Duolingo (sign up required, free): www.duolingo.com