Approaches to MFL

(French)

Intent

At Crofton Junior School, we believe that proficiency and confidence in another language is a valuable skill and lifelong asset. We understand the importance of equipping pupils with the instrumental skills to understand and participate in a rapidly changing world: to enlighten them to new ways of thinking, provide a deeper understanding of the world and develop empathy thus enabling pupils to understand their own cultural identity and the identity of others.

Develop Grammatical Understanding

We aim to ensure pupils have a secure understanding of key grammatical concepts: gender, adjectival agreement, the impact of gender on other words within a sentence, word order and fluency with the use of high frequency verbs.

We aim to ensure that through a secure knowledge of basic grammar, pupils are able to manipulate language and extend their spoken and writing outcomes with increased independence and spontaneity as they progress through the key stage.

Develop Competence in Reading and Writing

We aim to provide a wealth of opportunities for pupils to read, appreciate, understand and respond to authentic materials in the target language (such as stories, songs, rhymes and poems) in order to deepen their understanding of French culture and language.

We aim to develop pupils’ confidence to write in French, integrating new language into previously learned language.

Develop Speaking and Listening Skills

We aim to ensure pupils are secure with the sound-spelling link and have confidence in pronouncing common graphemes accurately with intonation. We aim to ensure that pupils leave Key Stage 2 with a secure phonic awareness through overlearning.

Develop Language Learning Strategies

We aim to foster an interest, curiosity and appreciation of the French language.

We aim to inspire pupils and develop personal confidence by developing proficiency in learning vocabulary and committing this to long-term memory.

We aim to provide pupils with the necessary skills to use a bilingual dictionary with purpose and efficiency.

We aim to provide the children with regular opportunities to revisit learning to ensure sufficient repetition and overlearning of key concepts throughout the key stage.

This will enable them to become proficient within the three pillars of progression: grammar, phonics and vocabulary.

Implementation

French is delivered for a minimum of thirty minutes each week where pupils are provided with a wealth of opportunities to build confidence and fluency through a focus on the pillars of progression: grammar, phonics and vocabulary.
Phonics plays a significant role within all French lessons as focus is placed on the sound-spelling link to enable pupils to become increasingly more confident at decoding as they progress through the key stage. When teaching the grapheme-phoneme correspondence, focus is placed on individual letters (with a particular focus on letters with accents that affect pronunciation) and on common graphemes. These are introduced gradually as pupils progress through the key stage and opportunities for overlearning are plentiful and carefully planned into the scheme of work.
Tasks are selected and designed to provide appropriate challenge for all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Appropriate scaffolds are used for linguists who are working towards age related expectations to allow at least good progress to be made by all pupils. Formative assessment takes place within all lessons to celebrate learning, address misconceptions, inform future planning and identify children who are a target within sessions to ensure support can be provided to enable them to remain in line with their peers. 

The Wakefield Scheme of Work for French is used across the key stage and lessons are meticulously planned with progression in mind. There are plentiful opportunities to revisit and build on prior knowledge of the language to ensure depth in learning. This means that pupils know more, learn more and remember more since skills are revisited, embedded and mastered over time.

In Year 6, pupils have the opportunity to celebrate their language learning by partaking in an enriching residential to Chateau Beaumont in Laval, France, where they are able to explore French culture further in an authentic setting whilst practising their spoken language in an immersive, language-rich environment.

Impact

As pupils progress through school, they develop a curiosity and eagerness to learn a foreign language, cultural understanding, respect, empathy and a comprehensive knowledge of the French language including basic grammar.

By the end of the key stage, pupils are confidently able to apply their phonic knowledge with increased accuracy. This ensures key pronunciation rules are embedded, supporting effective transition to further language study.

Pupils develop the essential skills (particularly in grammar, phonics and vocabulary) needed to be readily prepared for language learning at Key Stage 3 and beyond.