Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

What is the vision for French at The Phoenix Primary School and Nursery?

 At The Phoenix Primary School and Nursery, we believe that the learning of French provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for all pupils. Pupils will develop communication and literacy skills that lay the foundation for future language learning. They will develop linguistic competence, extend their knowledge of how language works and explore differences and similarities between French and English. Furthermore, learning another language raises awareness of our multi-lingual and multi-cultural world and introduces an international dimension to pupils’ learning, giving them an insight into their own culture and that of others. The learning of French will also provide a medium for cross-curricular links and for reinforcement of the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in other subjects.

The curriculum we teach will enable our children to:

• Listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding.
• Speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.
• Hold basic conversations in French to describe themselves and the world around them
• Explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words.
• Present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences.

Finally, French is seen as a discipline that is open to all; regardless of ability, gender, cultural background or ethnicity.

How is this vision for French to be achieved?

Children who take part in French lessons at the school will:

• Have an active engagement in speaking, listening and writing in French.
• Use mimes and actions to accompany new vocabulary.
• Develop an understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.
• Explore stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language.
• Broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words.
• Write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences so as to express themselves clearly.
• Describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing.
• Understand basic grammar, including: feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these.
• Explore French culture and compare it to that of the UK.
• Learn something about the geography and history of France.

How does the school know if the French curriculum has been effective?

Firstly, children who have followed the school’s French curriculum will be able to describe themselves and the world around them using simple spoken and written French. Children will respond appropriately and speak with confidence. They will also be able to comment accurately about aspects of French life and culture, and by so doing, demonstrate a tolerance and understanding of a different way of life.  Finally, by ensuring French is accessible to everyone, a significant number of our children will be inspired to further develop their use of the language and pursue careers where multi-lingual skills are key.

 At the end of each unit, a reading, writing and oral assessment are undertaken. The results of these assessments will be recorded to clearly identify the progress that the children have made throughout the year to enable teachers to effectively plan for future lessons.

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