Intent 

Along with other LA Maintained schools across the city, the core language taught in KS2 at The Beeches Primary School is French. We recognise that almost all pupils are fluent in at least one language already and bring with them the essential skills to unlock language, which will be developed and nurtured through an exciting and engaging curriculum.  

French is a major language of international communication. It is the second most widely learned language after English and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. Learning French will offer an introduction to an incomparable cultural universe as France is often considered the language of culture. A French lesson is a cultural journey which reflects the Big Idea of Multi-culturalism and diversity. 

It is our intention that all children in KS2 will access first quality teaching of French in order to adequately prepare and lay the foundations for Secondary Education. We wish to instil and foster the children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world beyond the United Kingdom, widening their knowledge and experiences to other cultures. 

 

We aim to: 

•develop a curiosity in learning other languages 

•introduce young children to another language in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating 

•encourage children’s confidence and creative skills 

•stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language 

•encourage children to be aware that language has a structure and that the structure differs from one language to another 

• create a caring, resilient learning environment where children feel confident to practise their spoken French in a collaborative setting 

•help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries, relating to our Big Idea of Multi-culturalism and diversity 

•develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (articulate) 

•lay the foundations for future language learning where they can aim high to challenge themselves to apply their knowledge in different contexts  

Implementation 

At the Beeches Primary School, French will be taught in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 following the ‘La Jolie Ronde’ scheme of learning. French lessons are a fantastic opportunity for children to practise their articulate skills in speaking and listening, as well as developing their reasoning skills by identifying cognates and decoding sentences. Throughout the year, children will be reflective learners by building on their prior knowledge in each lesson. 

 In Years 3 and 4, children will learn the basic building blocks of the French language including: greetings and introducing themselves, counting, days of the week and months of the year as well as beginning to look at the structure of the language itself. Alongside this, they will look at dates of cultural significance in the French calendar year such as Easter and Christmas and look at traditional French stories, songs and food.  

In Years 5 and 6, children will continue to develop their understanding of the French language building on what they have learnt in lower Key Stage 2. They will develop their conversational skills and be able to write short sentences in French, as well as perform and rehearse short scenes. Throughout the scheme they will also learn about the cultural differences between countries in the world where French is spoken and even plan their own holiday to a French-speaking country, researching and presenting on different aspects of culture. 

 

Impact 

By the end of Year 3, children will be able to: introduce themselves in French, count to 10, understand classroom instructions, say the days of the week and months of the year, name colours and have learned songs in French.  

By the end of Year 4, children will be able to: listen and follow short stories in French, name different animals, talk about the weather, their hobbies and their family. In addition to this, they will develop a greater understanding of the structure of the French language. 

By the end of Year 5, children will build on their prior learning in Years 3 and 4, building more complex conversations and sentences. They will also learn how to name buildings on the high street and ask for directions, read and write simple sentences and learn how to have simple conversations.  

By the end of Year 6, children will be able to: follow and understand classroom routines in French, initiate and sustain a conversation on a given subject, perform conversational scenes, express opinions, understand where in the world French is spoken and different aspects of culture. Children will understand basic grammar appropriate to this language, including the masculine and feminine forms and how to conjugate high-frequency verbs both orally and in written form.  

Our children will leave the Beeches Primary School having had an exciting, enriching journey through a different culture. They will be able to speak, write and understand French with some ease and fluency, thus improving their thinking skills as well as increasing confidence and self-esteem and opening up opportunities for later in life. 

 ‘To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.’Chinese Proverb