Modern Foreign Languages
We follow a two year rolling programme in our chosen language, French. Please follow the links below to see an overview of our French curriculum and progression in this subject:
Year A & B OverviewsFrench ProgressionKnowledge Organisers
INTENT
A key aim of our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum at Beech Grove is to develop our pupils' curiosity in language learning so that they see it as something that is both enjoyable and stimulating.
We use the 'French with Emilie' Scheme of work produced by the Primary Languages Network (PLN). This scheme of work offers a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious French curriculum that inspires and excites our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. The scheme uses high quality teaching videos delivered by a native French speaker to ensure pupils develop accuracy in their pronunciation of sounds and words.
Through the teaching of French, we aim to encourage children’s confidence and creative skills. We aim to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing so that children can use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts, laying the foundations for future language learning.
Learning French also gives our pupils a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a greater awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.
Our curriculum has been designed to ensure the building blocks of French have been carefully sequenced, with clear progression in the teaching of phonics, grammar and vocabulary. There is a strong focus on ensuring pupils learn how to pronounce the sounds in French as well as how to represent these sounds in writing.
IMPLEMENTATION
At Beech Grove, all pupils from Year 2 onwards have the opportunity to learn French. Weekly lessons are delivered through a combination of recorded teaching videos from our scheme of work, written activities, games and songs.
The emphasis is on active, whole class teaching but there are opportunities for children to work individually, with a partner or as part of a small group to complete a task.
Pupils in EYFS and Year 1 begin to learn French informally through games and songs. By making language learning fun and interactive, we aim to stimulate children's enthusiasm and curiosity and inspire them to continue to explore different languages and cultures.
Pupils in Year 5 and 6 have their own French writing book which they use to record their writing and work in French.
Teachers use low stakes quizzes throughout a unit of work to check what knowledge children have secured in their long term memory. At the end of each unit of work, teachers assess pupils against the objectives for that unit. Each child is recorded as either working 'below', 'at' or 'above' age related expectations. This assessment information is used to inform future teaching.
As a school we take part in 'European Day of Languages' each year. This is an exciting opportunity to come together as a school community to celebrate the different languages spoken within our school and to enjoy finding out about other cultures.
IMPACT
As a result of our high quality curriculum, pupils make good progress in French. They are able to recognise and apply key vocabulary within conversations and are challenged in a range of speaking and listening, reading and writing activities.
Pupils begin their language learning by looking at basic nouns and how to formulate short phrases. As children progress they are exposed to much longer texts and encouraged to formulate their own, more personalised responses based on a much wider bank of vocabulary, linguistic structures and grammatical knowledge.
Pupils continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language journey through the primary phase. Previous language is recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.
Our pupils enjoy their learning in French and leave us with a strong understanding of what it means to be a global citizen, including the importance of tolerance and understanding.
