Modern Foreign Languages
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“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification”
1 Corinthians 14:10
At Tarporley Church of England Primary School we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of how language works. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others.
Intent
Tarporley CE uses the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. All pupils will be expected to achieve their full potential by encouraging high expectations and excellent standards in their foreign language learning - the ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond Key Stage 2.
The intent is that all content will be continuously updated and reviewed annually, creating a dynamic programme of study that will be clearly outlined in both long-term and short-term planning. This will ensure that the foreign language knowledge of our pupils progresses within each academic year and is extended year upon year throughout the primary phase and, in so doing, will always be relevant
The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.
Implementation
All classes will have access to high-quality foreign languages curriculum using the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in French through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons in Year 3-6, which will be taught by both class teachers and teaching assistants. We also provide learning opportunities for all children throughout the school to immerse themselves in a range of languages and cultures which reflect the various identities of people within our own school community and beyond.
Children will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes - building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language.
Impact
As well as each subsequent lesson within a unit being progressive, the teaching type organisation of Language Angels units also directs, drives and guarantees progressive learning and challenge. Units increase in level of challenge, stretch and linguistic and grammatical complexity as pupils move from Early Learning units through Intermediate units and into the most challenging Progressive units. Units in each subsequent level of the teaching type categories require more knowledge and application of skills than the previous teaching type. Activities contain progressively more text (both in English and the foreign language being studied) and lessons will have more content as the children become more confident and ambitious with the foreign language they are learning.
Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language learning journey through the primary phase. Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.
The opportunity to assess pupil learning and progression in the key language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and against the 12 DfE Languages Programme of Study for Key Stage 2 attainment targets is provided at the end of each 6-week teaching unit. The scheme provides an online Tracking and Progression tool to ensure children are making good progress in their foreign language learning. If pupils are not progressing in line with expectations, the tracking toolkit will enable teachers to put in place an early intervention programme to address any areas that require further support in any of the language learning skills.
BOOKS Curriculum
As a church school, we approach all that we do through our Christian Values which are embedded throughout our curriculum. We believe that language learning is an essential element for children to let their light shine. The whole school follows the BOOKS approach:
- BRAVERY-our clear progression in MFL planning ensures the high expectations of all language learners. We encourage our children to develop a Growth Mindset approach, creating a powerful passion for learning. When they know their brains are capable of growing, they are more confident, resilient and less afraid to fail.
- OUTWARD FACING-we learn about the world beyond the languages we study. We encourage our children to see themselves as active agents of change through cross-curricular opportunities in a range of subjects.
- OPPORTUNITIES-we open doors to new cultures! We offer our children the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understand of other cultures and the world around them. A second language exposes them to new and exciting pathways in rich traditions, music and food. We want our children to feel inspired to continue studying languages beyond key stage 2 and ultimately work towards becoming life-long language learners. It is developing a skill, a way for pupils to enrich their cultural capital and view the world in an inclusive light.
- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING-Through our progressive unit organiser, children will work through the three learning units (Early, Intermediate, Progressive) which increases in level of challenge, linguistic and grammatical complexity as the pupils move on in their school journey. Children acquire the four key skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing in an age-appropriate way. This enables them to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning.
- SPIRITUALITY-Our staff aim to seek meaningful connections between different countries, cultures and the languages we learn and how they can develop socially, morally and culturally to let their light shine.
If you wish to continue your learning at home Language Angels uses fun interactive lessons and associated activities. Please ask the office for our unique code.
Should you have questions about our MFL curriculum, please contact our Subject Lead for Modern Foreign Languages, Mr Bonner.
Here are some links to games, songs, videos to keep your French 'fantastique'.
BBC Bitesize KS2 French - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z39d7ty
Language Angels Online Games (Logins on Main Page) - https://www.languageangels.com/schools/
French Games. Net - https://www.french-games.net/frenchgames/
Youtube (search for some French songs or videos) - https://www.youtube.com/
Primary Games Arena - https://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/French
Rock n Learn Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/rocknlearn
