“Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.”
Primary National Curriculum for Languages 2014
LANGUAGES CURRICULUM STATEMENT – Modern Foreign Language
At Alfriston Primary School, our Languages curriculum focuses on learning the modern foreign language of French. Our curriculum is underpinned by a broad range of stimulating topics designed to bring learning to life and ensure that there is interplay between the ‘3 pillars’ of language - phonics, vocabulary and grammar.
Building on the national curriculum, we foster a love of language by focusing on these building blocks of language to ensure linguistic progression.
OUR CURRICULUM INTENT FOR LANGUAGES (Modern Foreign Language - French)
Our intentions for the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum are:
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To inspire our children to become curious, confident and enthusiastic language learners with a broad understanding of the French language and culture; to think and communicate like linguists;
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To enable our children to develop the skills to listen, speak, read and write in French, while building the confidence to express themselves and explore new ways of thinking through language learning;
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To develop our children’s understanding of how learning another language connects people, cultures, and communities worldwide;
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To encourage our children to become open-minded, active citizens who can appreciate diversity and engage meaningfully with the wider world.
HOW WE IMPLEMENT OUR INTENTIONS
Languages is a foundation subject within the national curriculum for Key Stage 2 (Year 3 – 6). It is taught weekly and we use the ‘Kapow Mixed Age - French’ scheme to follow the National Curriculum programme of study. Our curriculum for learning French includes three knowledge strands and two skills strands. The knowledge strands are phonics, vocabulary, and grammar, while the skills strands are language comprehension (listening and reading) and language production (speaking and writing). Our curriculum also promotes cultural awareness of France and the French-speaking world. This all ensures that the children build secure knowledge of how the language works while also developing the skills to understand and use it in meaningful contexts. Each unit identifies essential content, such as key vocabulary or grammar structures, and provides opportunities for children to apply this knowledge through listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks which promote fluency, accuracy and confidence. As the children progress through the units and teaching types, previous language is recycled, revisited and consolidated.
Through our French curriculum, children have opportunities to develop their oracy skills by:
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Developing the physical skills required for speech by utilising their voice, body language, and facial expressions to better communicate in French.
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Explicitly considering the role of syntax in communication in French and reflecting on the differences with English to deepen understanding.
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Role-playing as French speakers to practice conversational skills.
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Questioning and responding to each other in French to build communication skills.
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Interpreting the speech of native French speakers, learning to gist and summarise meaning.
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Listening to native French speakers and peers to enhance listening skills.
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Collaborating in groups and turn-taking during conversations.
Ancient Foreign Language & Classical Civilisation
In addition to a weekly French lesson, our Year 5/6 Class also study classical civilisation and the ancient language of Latin. These fun short sessions use the book ‘Minimus’, which provides a lively introduction to classical civilisation, the Latin language and the history of Roman Britain. Led by Minimus the mouse, the children will learn basic grammar and Latin vocabulary through stories featuring a real family who lived at Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall. At the same time, pupils’ knowledge of Roman Britain and classical civilisation is broadened by way of a vividly illustrated range of myths and background information.
For generations a classical education was considered a privilege for the few. We believe that all children, regardless of background, deserve access to this rich linguistic and cultural heritage - not just to level the playing field, but to raise the ceiling of aspiration. Latin is the key to higher-level vocabulary, critical thinking, and the kind of academic capital that prepares pupils for future success, including university study.
As the National Curriculum states: …the focus is “to provide a linguistic foundation for reading comprehension and an appreciation of classical civilisation. Pupils studying ancient languages may take part in simple oral exchanges, while discussion of what they read will be conducted in English. A linguistic foundation in ancient languages may support the study of modern languages at key stage 3.”
