French
Curriculum Design at St. Wilfrid’s Church of England Primary Academy
Curriculum Area: French
French Primary Leaders: Mrs. Marwood and Mrs. Wilson
French Supporting Leader: Miss Bullen
Curriculum Link Governor: Mrs. Flynn
Intent
The skills, knowledge and understanding gained through the learning of French are essential skills in the development of each child’s aspirations and knowledge of the world as well as their understanding of their own culture and identity.
Teaching is inclusive of all children and aims to enhance and broaden not only cultural awareness but also develop oracy and literacy skills deepening each child’s understanding of another language and in turn their own.
Children are encouraged to be Global citizens and, fostering a love of learning languages is at the heart of Foreign Language learning at St Wilfrid’s.
Our Christian Values and Distinctiveness, alongside our School Mission Statement of ‘Achieve, Believe, Care’, are at the heart of all our teaching and learning and all that we do at St. Wilfrid’s.
Implementation
French lessons introduce children to a new language in a way that is fun and focuses initially on teaching children to speak, sing and respond to questions and instructions in French. Teaching focuses on learning through different styles, with children engaging in singing songs that develop and reinforce vocabulary, games that encourage fluency and role play where children can rehearse and perform conversations expressing opinions and responding to those of others.
Children begin to learn French in Year 3 and continue in Year 4, 5 and 6. As children develop their skills, they are encouraged to express their ideas and thoughts in French and to understand and respond to speakers in writing in addition to speech. Children’s vocabulary is broadened through regular opportunities for them to be immersed in their target language.
The French curriculum is well-planned with a focus on practical communication and how the structure of the language differs from English, helping children to develop their own understanding of their own language whilst developing skills in another.
Our French curriculum is delivered through highly effective ‘quality first teaching’. Enrichment opportunities, including outdoor learning, inspirational visitors, such as the French Ambassador and exciting educational opportunities, all of which provide our children with rich experiences thus enhancing teaching, learning and knowledge.
Our French curriculum promotes children’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development, supporting children to become reflective and responsible citizens of the world.
Impact
Our French curriculum ensures that children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. Through the breadth and depth that our curriculum offers, children have an appropriate balance of spoken and written language which lay the foundations for further language learning. Our curriculum encourages children to become confident global citizens within the ‘modern world.’