Curriculum - MFL - Thornhill Primary School

Philosophy:

At Thornhill Primary School, we believe that learning a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for all pupils. Children develop speaking, writing and reading skills which lay the foundation for future language learning. We believe that learning another language raises an awareness of the multi-cultural and multi- lingual world and gives children an insight into their own culture and the culture of others. It allows children to access ideas and experiences from other communities and subsequently encourages children to understand and appreciate diversity in society.

Intent: What we are trying to achieve through our curriculum…

At Thornhill Primary School, the intention of our MFL curriculum is to develop an interest in and a curiosity for learning other languages. We aim to provide all of our children with a high-quality education in MFL, which develops their love of learning about other languages and cultures. The teaching should enable children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond in both speech and writing. Language teaching should ensure children are engaged and prepared to continue to learn languages at secondary school. It should provide the foundation for learning further languages later in life, meaning children aspire to visit, study and work in other countries.

Implementation: How our curriculum is delivered…

Our French curriculum has been designed to progressively develop skills in French. This allows children to develop new skills whilst building on what they have previously learnt. Due to the organisation of our French curriculum, children acquire a bank of vocabulary based around topics taught each year. Children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games. As their confidence and skill grows, children record their work through pictures, captions and sentences.

KS1 children children in EYFS are introduced to MFL more informally. Songs are often learnt in assemblies or in preparation for school performances which makes language learning more meaningful and gives it a purpose. Children in EYFS and KS1 also learn about different cultures throughout the year e.g. EYFS – Chinese New Year, Y1 China / Judaism, Y2 – Africa / Islam

We use our key school documents to plan our French throughout the school: LTP / Progression of Knowledge & Skills / MTP / Short term plans.

There is a focus on the following disciplinary skills:

Speaking and pronunciation

Listening

Reading and writing

Grammar and phonics

Intercultural understanding

Impact: The difference our curriculum is making…

Through the high quality first teaching of French taking place we will see the impact of the subject in the following ways:

children will be able to communicate with each other in French
children will become aware that a language has a structure, and that the structure differs from one language to another
children will develop their language through development of the key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing
children will enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of the French culture.
children will begin to learn how language skills can be applied to a range of languages
children will transfer to secondary school effectively and successfully and will be well prepared to continue and develop their language learning and skills

The MFL subject leader will continually monitor the impact MFL teaching is having on the children’s learning, through book scrutinies and lesson observations, to ensure the progression of knowledge and skills is being taught. The subject leader and class teachers will also ensure the knowledge taught is retained by the children and continually revisited and that the children are able to apply the skills they have been taught to a variety of different settings, showing independence with their learning. Each year group revisits prior learning from previous years. Key questioning skills are built into lessons and pupil discussions are ongoing which provide evidence of the positive impact French teaching is having.

Pupils take part in special days such as: European Day of Language, where they study different countries / languages and learn about the importance of learning languages and cultures.