Modern Foreign Language (MFL)

At Grazeley Primary School, we use the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. We teach French to all pupils from Year 3 to Year 6. All pupils will be expected to achieve their full potential by encouraging high expectations and excellent standards in their foreign language learning – the ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond KS2.

The intent is that all content will be continuously updated and reviewed annually, creating a dynamic programme of study that will be clearly outlined in both long-term and short-term planning. This will ensure that the foreign language knowledge of our pupils progresses within each academic year and is extended year upon year throughout the primary phase and, in so doing, will always be relevant and in line with meeting or exceeding national DfE requirements. 

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

Speaking- to listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding. To explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words. To engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help. To speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures. To develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases. To present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences.

Reading- to appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in French to broaden vocabulary and develop the ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary.

Writing- to write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly. To describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing.

Grammar – 

• We start with nouns and articles and 1st person singular of high frequency verbs in Early Learning
• We move on to the use of the possessive, the concept of adjectives, use of the negative form, conjunctions/connectives and introduce the concept of whole regular verb conjugation in Intermediate
• We end with opinions and introduce the concept of whole high frequency irregular verb conjugation in Progressive

In addition, the children will be taught how to look up and research language they are unsure of and they w
ill have a bank of reference materials to help them with their spoken and written tasks going forward. This bank of reference materials will develop into a reference library to help pupils recall and build on previous knowledge throughout their primary school language learning journey.

Our intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Learning a second language will also offer 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.

Each teaching unit is divided into 6 fully planned lessons:

• Each unit and lesson will have clearly defined objectives and aims.
• Each lesson will incorporate interactive whiteboard materials to include ample speaking and listening tasks within a lesson.
• Lessons will incorporate challenge sections and desk-based activities that will be offered will three levels of stretch and differentiation. These may be sent home as homework if not completed in class.
• Reading and writing activities will be offered in all units. Some extended reading and writing activities are provided so that native speakers can also be catered for.
• Every unit will include a grammar concept which will increase in complexity as pupils move from Early Language units, through Intermediate units and into Progressive units.
• Extending writing activities are provided to ensure that pupils are recalling previously learnt language and, by reusing it, will be able to recall it and use it with greater ease and accuracy. These tasks will help to link units together and show that pupils are retaining and recalling the language taught with increased fluency and ease.