French

The Purpose of studying French:

At SSMJ we follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study for French.  Our French topics consider the children’s interests, as well as key vocabulary the children require when learning a new language.  The French curriculum at SSMJ is carefully planned and structured to ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning and that the school’s approaches are informed by current pedagogy.

Aims:

In line with the national curriculum 2014, the curriculum at SSMJ aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.

Intent:
The intention of the French curriculum at SSMJ is that children are taught to develop an interest in learning other languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating. We encourage children’s confidence; we strive to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language. In planning we actively plan links to develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries, through our week of Travel Around the World and where possible incorporate the French language into our music or assembly sessions. We strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning. French is strongly linked with our faith, which is at the heart of our curriculum.

“There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning.”

                                                                                           Corinthians 14:10

Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children skills in languages, through regular taught lessons. Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. All our children in KS2 will have weekly language lessons.

Implementation:
At SSMJ children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games. As confidence and skill grows, children record their work through pictures, captions and sentences.

• Displays are used to remind children of key vocabulary
• Practical activities, songs and games are used to help improve memory and recall.
• In the classroom whether possible instructions are given in French to expose children to the language as much as possible and in day to day contexts.  
• Visual prompts are used to support children in translating new vocabulary.
• Word mats/ Knowledge organisers are available for children to have out on desks to support their learning and recap previous learning.

How it is assessed:

French at SSMJ

We strive to ensure that our pupil’s attainment is in line or exceeds their potential when we consider the varied starting points of all our children. The learning challenges used and progression girds used to plan and teach MFL, ensure that children are accessing work at age related expectations, with regular opportunities to be challenged through higher-level objectives.

Impact
Outcomes in French books evidence a broad and balanced curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review the agreed successes at the end of every session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas, with support from their teachers. Children also record what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic. Emphasis is placed on key vocabulary being learnt which allows children to develop fluency.

French is monitored by subject leaders throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as book scrutinises, lesson observations, staff discussions and pupil interviews.  Feedback is given to teachers and leaders use the information to see if the children know more and remember more.

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