French

Curriculum Documents

Intent

At Brushwood, we offer a relevant, broad and ambitious French curriculum that inspires and excites our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. The aim is that pupils will feel motivated and able to continue studying languages beyond Key Stage 2.

The four key language learning skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing are taught and necessary phonics and grammar are covered in an age-appropriate way. This will enable pupils to use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts, laying down solid foundations for future language learning and helping the children improve overall attainment in other subject areas.

In addition, children are taught how to look up and research vocabulary they are unsure of and will have a bank of reference materials to help them with their spoken and written tasks. This will help pupils recall and build on previous knowledge throughout their KS2 language learning journey. The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning another language also offers pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them, with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences. The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners..

Implementation

All classes have access to a high-quality French curriculum which follows the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This progressively develops pupil skills in foreign languages through well-planned weekly lessons. Pupils progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes - building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language. The planning of different levels of challenge and which units to teach at each stage of the academic year is addressed dynamically and reviewed as units are updated. Lessons offering appropriate levels of challenge and stretch are taught throughout, to ensure pupils learn effectively, continuously building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the French they are learning.

Through the use of the Language Angels resources, units are selected according to classes’ prior learning. Since pupils starting in Year 3 have not been taught French previously, early language units are most appropriate. As children move into Years 4 and 5, they begin working through intermediate units which progress in challenge by increasing the amount and complexity (including grammar concepts) of the French language presented to pupils. Finally, progressive and creative curriculum units are used with Year 6 pupils. In addition, some Language Angels Units have been adapted to refine and consolidate language learnt, and where possible, also include activities to increase enjoyment of the learning, such as plays or cafés. Songs, including raps and games, including online are a frequent part of lessons, both to consolidate learning and enhance enjoyment of the language.

Children are taught how to listen to, and read, longer pieces of text gradually in French and they will have ample opportunities to speak, listen to, read and write the language being taught with scaffolds, frames and varying levels of support as necessary. Units are progressive with subsequent lessons within each unit building on the language and knowledge taught in previous lessons. As pupils progress though the lessons, they build their knowledge and develop the complexity of the language they use. Learning is reviewed at the start and end of each unit to enable pupils to develop an accurate understanding of their own learning goals. Retrieval activities start each lesson, helping pupils to revisit and consolidate language learnt previously.

The Progression Map shows precisely how pupil foreign language learning across the key skills of speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar progresses within each Language Angels unit.

Opportunities for enrichment activities include, where possible, enrichment clubs, assemblies, staff meetings and links with French schools.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum is monitored through:

Detailed skills-based assessments in each unit. This form of assessment enables us to determine the learning and progression of all pupils in the key language learning skills as well as monitoring their progress against the targets stipulated in the DfE Languages Programme of Study for Key Stage 2.
Where appropriate, enrichment activities to showcase learning, including plays, cafés or more extensive written pieces, including language from throughout the unit, also allow opportunities to both consolidate and adapt language learnt, providing stretch.
Pupil progress is also monitored and tracked through the evidence in workbooks and pupil voice.
Governor visits.