Modern Foreign Language

Intent

Our intent for Modern Foreign Languages at Eaton Valley, is that children participate in an engaging, challenging curriculum which values the strengths of all and celebrates success, developing long-life linguistic skills. Children will have the ability to understand and communicate in another language and become all round global citizens. Languages in our school will ensure children develop an awareness of cultural differences and will acquire and develop language skills and knowledge, using what they have learned in a range of contexts with increasing competence and confidence.

Our Language curriculum enables pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and writing. Throughout each year, children will develop their reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar skills. It is a statutory requirement for languages to be taught at KS2; however, at Eaton Valley, we believe in early language exposure as a method of strengthening our children’s understanding of languages, in the hope that this ignites an interest in future learning and use of the languages.

Implementation

As part of our Languages curriculum, we follow the ‘Salut’ scheme of work to support the requirements of the National Curriculum. Our MFL curriculum has been designed to progressively develop children’s skills in French throughout reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar. Our ‘Salut’ scheme of work ensures children acquire a bank of vocabulary organised around topics which then link in with our school tracking system. We have a long-term plan which outlines each unit the children will cover throughout school. Alongside this, there is a medium-term plan which identifies the specific targets which each topic links in with.

As part of the ‘Salut’ scheme of work there is also short-term planning for each topic. Teachers use this plan to guide and structure their lessons. All children in KS2 are taught French discreetly on a bi-weekly basis for a minimum of one hour. In KS1, children are introduced to MFL for a 30-minute bi-weekly lesson. Children begin to learn key words and phrases which they can then build upon in KS2. Classes in KS2 have a French display which focuses on the key vocabulary the children are learning that half-term. Staff use assessment for learning strategies to enable them to differentiate effectively and meet the needs of all learners. We have a range of resources which are well prepared and matched to support the learners. These include; books, flashcards, writing tools and various other practical resources.

Each term, staff report of individual attainment and progress. This is conducted through out school tracking system and then this is then used to shape future learning. Lessons in French always begin with retention of previous learning, before moving on to a listening, speaking, reading, writing or grammar activity. All written work completed in French lessons are put into a class folder and any speaking, listening or reading work is uploaded as photo and video evidence onto our school SharePoint system.

Impact

Overall, in MFL, Eaton Valley will give children the linguistic skills needed to build the foundations for future language learning. Children will have also have built upon their ‘culture capital’ so that they are aware of similarities and differences between cultures. Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in MFL and this is reflected in good progress that reveals a clear learning journey.