French Curriculum Intent

Here, at Holy Trinity School we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides our pupils with an invaluable experience in educational, social and cultural terms. Learning another language widens their world, develops their communication skills and helps them to understand better their own culture and the culture of others.

National Curriculum Modern Foreign Languages Programmes of Study

The MFL curriculum for KS2 follows the broad guidelines set out in the KS2 Framework for Languages (DFE, 2005) and the new NC – Programs of Study (DFE-00174-2013). Accordingly, the focus of study is practical communication.

How is French implemented in our school?

The teaching of French starts in KS2. All children from year 3 to year 6 are taught French consistently.

The children are taught how to:

• ask and answer questions;
• use correct pronunciation and grammar;
• memorise words;
• interpret meaning;
• understand basic grammar;
• work in pairs and groups and communicate in a foreign language;
• explore things from another’s perspective, giving insight into the people, lives and traditions of other cultures.

We emphasise listening, responding and speaking skills but we also develop reading and writing skills, to help the children gain an all-round understanding of the language. We use a multi-sensory and kinesthetic approach to teaching (introducing a physical element in games, songs) to help reinforce memory. We promote the use of ICT in meaningful contexts for the development of communication skills.

French teaching at Holy Trinity is fully inclusive. Language learning activities are planned in such a way as to encourage the full and active participation of all pupils. Work is differentiated as appropriate to the needs of individual children. Pairs and groups for collaborative work may be made up in different ways, depending on the task.

Below is an overview of the progression of skills.

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