French

‘One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.’

Frank Smith

Aims for language learning

Our school values are Determination, Trust, Friendship and Respect. As a school, we aim to:

foster an enthusiasm of foreign language learning
nurture an understanding of the wider world
grow an appreciation of cultural diversity
develop receptive and productive skills
promote British values
enhance transferrable language skills and raise awareness of the children’s own language

French Planning

The National Curriculum 2014 Languages programmes of study: KS2 underpins the children’s language learning and focus. Our children learn French regularly in Key Stage 2 by a French specialist. Formative assessments inform Medium Term plans to tailor the learning to the children’s needs.

Department of Education Programme of Study

We follow the recommended French programme of study from the Department of Education.

Click here for a link to the full programme .

At North Cave School, our children learn French regularly in Key Stage 2. The language learning develops the receptive skills of listening and reading and the productive skills of speaking and writing in a foreign language. Exposing the children to as much of the target language as possible is paramount in our teaching. The target language is used consistently for example for instructions, the date, marking, songs, role-play, stories, and games and is integral to all French lessons. Children enjoy sharing their learning through class assemblies, for example singing ‘Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds’ (Heads, shoulders, knees and toes), ‘Le vieux Macdonald avait une ferme’ (Old Macdonald had a farm) and ‘Vive le vent’ (Jingle bells) at our Carol concert. The children also enjoy having the opportunity to participate in a French week where they can experience French culture such as trying French cuisine, playing French games, singings French songs and reading French book.

All children are encouraged to apply their understanding of French as much as possible using the different language skills. . Children consult a phonics grid available in their classrooms to improve decoding accuracy.

The Three Pillars of Language Learning

The language learning develops the receptive skills of listening and reading and the productive skills of speaking and writing in a foreign language using their understanding of:

phonics

vocabulary

grammatical structures

French Phonics Grid for Learning

(Adapted from Sue Cave’s ‘Physical French Phonics.)

French Content

In accordance with the National Curriculum, pupils are taught to:

listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
develop an understanding of the phonic patterns of the target language using songs and rhymes
converse for example using opinions, asking and answering questions
speak in sentences
develop accurate pronunciation and intonation
present ideas orally to a range of audiences
read carefully and recognise words, phrases and simple writing
appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes
broaden their vocabulary and use a dictionary
write phrases and adapt such phrases
describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing
understand basic grammar e.g. masculine and feminine forms
build sentences using patterns of language