Languages

At Ashleigh, we learn French in Key Stage 2. It has been compulsory for all Key Stage 2 children to learn a language from September 2014.

We enjoy playing games, singing songs, reading stories and writing. 

We are members of the Primary Languages Network. This allows teachers to access a wide variety of teaching resources, sound files, CPD and training. In addition, some KS2 classes are visited weekly by Miss Woodcock from DACA who teaches French. 

Modern Foreign Languages at Ashleigh Primary School

Intent, Implementation, Impact statements

Intent

At Ashleigh, learning a new language is an integral part of providing a wide and well-rounded curriculum. Learning a new language allows children to become aware of the world around them and provides an opening to other cultures. It is exciting and provides children with enjoyment and challenge. The skills taught help to develop children’s oracy and literacy development. We provide children with a high quality curriculum that enables pupils to develop four main skills, these being speaking, listening, reading and writing. Children have the opportunity to visit Paris in Year 5 and 6, allowing them to use the language in real situation. The aims of teaching French at our school are as follows:

• To enable children to communicate effectively.
• To develop a love of language learning.
• To encourage a positive attitude and develop confidence with the four language skills.
• To develop an awareness of other cultures in our diverse country and abroad.
• To provide solid foundations for further learning in Key Stage 3.

The national curriculum aims for pupils to:

• understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
• speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
• can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
• discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.

Implementation

We deliver French to our Key Stage 2 classes using the scheme of work from Primary Languages Network. Some children in Key Stage 2 are also taught by a native French teacher from the local secondary school. Class teachers are present in these lessons to support pupils and to gain a valuable CPD opportunity. This also sets the foundation for further language learning in Key Stage 3 when pupils leave Ashleigh for their next stage in education. Every Key Stage 2 classroom benefits from a French display and children often use the display to help recall prior knowledge. Teachers use a wide range of the following techniques to encourage engagement with French in lessons:

• Knowledge organisers – to allow teachers and pupils to see key knowledge and vocabulary for each topic.
• Games and quizzes – in order to develop repetition and listening skills and assess pupils.
• Role play – to simulate real experiences with the language using spoken language and listening.
• Songs – to develop phonetic skills and memory of key vocabulary.
• Reading materials - to develop reading the language and develop phonetic skills.
• Writing – to apply the language learnt.
• ICT programs and websites – to develop listening and communication.

Furthermore, in Upper Key Stage 2, children are given the opportunity to visit Paris on a residential trip; this allows children to apply their language skills and immerses them into the French culture.

Impact

We measure children’s progress in MFL in a variety of ways. In lessons, this is what you may typically see:

• Happy learners who are engaged in language learning.
• Children discussing their learning and reflecting.
• Techniques to encourage engagement such as games, role play and songs.
• Challenges that motivate children to become better learners.

We are able to measure the impact in MFL through the displaying of work in classrooms, pupil conferencing discussions and book looks with a range of pupils. As a result of good teaching and learning, we have many pupils who are excited about learning French; who gain an insight into another culture; develop their confidence with communication and achieve well.

See below the National Curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages in Key Stage 2