Modern Foreign Languages - French

Intent

Vision and Aims

• To cultivate a lifelong love of learning a different language, fostering curiosity and appreciation for diverse cultures.
• To empower students with the confidence and enthusiasm to express themselves in French, using interactive and engaging methods.
• To ensure students develop the ability to speak, read, and write in French, building progressively on vocabulary and language structures introduced each year.

Knowledge and Skills Focus

• Development of foundational vocabulary and grammar to facilitate basic conversations and comprehension.
• Enhancement of listening skills through exposure to authentic French audio resources and interactive songs.
• Improvement of reading comprehension through age-appropriate texts, enabling students to engage with French literature and media.
• Cultivation of writing skills, encouraging students to create simple sentences and short paragraphs in French.

Curriculum Progression

As we are currently introducing French as a new language, all children are at the start of a 4 year program. Future progression will be as follows:

• Lower Key Stage 2: Introduction to basic vocabulary and phrases, focusing on greetings, colours, numbers, self, family, pets, everyday objects.
• Upper Key Stage 2: Expansion of vocabulary to include topics such as hobbies, school life and places in town, alongside basic grammar rules.
• Transition to more complex sentence structures and thematic vocabulary in preparation for secondary education.

Inclusion and Accessibility

• The curriculum is designed to be ambitious and inclusive, ensuring all students, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, can access and engage with the content.
• Adaptations and scaffolding strategies are employed to maintain high expectations while supporting diverse learning needs.

Key Priorities

• Promote active engagement through interactive songs and games that make learning enjoyable.
• Foster a supportive environment where students feel safe to take risks in their language use.
• Ensure consistent vocabulary progression year on year, reinforcing and expanding on previously learned material.

Implementation

Teaching Approaches

• Use of interactive and communicative teaching methods, including role-play, songs, and games to enhance language acquisition.
• Incorporation of multimedia resources to provide diverse contexts for language use and cultural understanding.
• Regular opportunities for collaborative learning, encouraging peer interaction and language practice.

Curriculum Delivery

• A structured curriculum framework that outlines clear learning objectives.
• Integration of cross-curricular links to enhance relevance and application of language skills in various contexts.

Assessment Approaches

• Formative assessments through regular quizzes, oral presentations, and written tasks to monitor progress and inform instruction.

Resources and Staff Development

• Access to a range of resources, including digital platforms, authentic French materials, and interactive tools to support teaching and learning.
• Ongoing professional development for staff to enhance pedagogical skills and stay updated with best practices in MFL education.

Supporting All Learners

• Differentiation strategies, such as tiered activities and varied task complexity, to cater to different learning styles and abilities.
• Use of visual aids and manipulatives to support understanding and retention of vocabulary and concepts.

Impact

Knowledge and Skills Evaluation

• Regular tracking of student progress through formative assessments and feedback to ensure knowledge retention and skill development.
• Implementation of knowledge checks at the end of each unit to assess understanding of vocabulary and grammar.
• Use of self-assessment tools, such as learning journals, to encourage students to reflect on their learning journey and set personal goals.
• Peer assessments during collaborative activities to foster a sense of accountability and enhance learning through discussion.

Assessment Impact

• MFL is included in annual reporting to parents.

• Identification of trends and areas for improvement to inform future curriculum adjustments and teaching strategies.
• Celebration of achievements through showcases of student work and language use, reinforcing the value of language learning and motivating students.

Wider Impact Indicators

• Increased student engagement and enthusiasm for learning French.
• Surveys and feedback forms to gauge student attitudes towards language learning and their perceived confidence in using French.
• Development of intercultural awareness and appreciation, preparing students for global citizenship in a multicultural society, measured through projects and presentations.

Quality Assurance

• Regular reviews of the MFL curriculum to ensure alignment with Ofsted expectations and national standards.
• Scheduled observations of teaching practices to ensure consistency and effectiveness in the delivery of the MFL curriculum.