Intent

Our languages curriculum is designed to support our children to become responsible citizens, confident individuals and successful learners. We intend to ensure that all of our children acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding in languages set out in the National Curriculum. We intend to promote a passion and enjoyment of languages that will form a sound basis for future learning. By acquiring these skills it will help develop confidence in oracy and success in acquiring a new skill.  We aim to ensure that children see the importance of respecting the languages and cultures of people around the world and understand the way in which they have enriched the English language.

Implementation

Learning a foreign language is part of the Primary National Curriculum and is a requirement for all children within Key Stage 2 (KS2). Rockcliffe First School has adopted a whole school approach to the teaching of French to all KS2 pupils. We have chosen French as we feel it is an accessible language for early language learners, and it is the language taught at Marden Bridge Middle School and many other middle schools in the area.  

 We use the National Curriculum and additional resources from a language scheme of work and draw upon to ensure progression in the four key areas of writing, reading, speaking, and listening. Lessons are planned using the Kapow! Scheme of work to ensure the rigour and quality of delivery. The videos, games and additional resources allow children to be fully emerged in the language and practise the key skills required.

 We develop skills and progression via:

• Phonics – becoming familiar with key French phonemes, spelling and pronunciation.
• Vocabulary – introducing commonly-used words; memorising high-frequency keywords.
• Grammar – systematically learning French grammar and applying it in a variety of contexts; practising grammar structures in speaking, writing, reading and listening activities.
• Language comprehension (listening and reading) – applying knowledge of phonics, vocabulary and grammar; decoding what the children hear and read more accurately and efficiently using a range of strategies.
• Language production (speaking and writing) – applying what the children have learnt across other knowledge strands to speak and write in French.
• Cultural awareness – learning about French food, celebrations, festivals, art and French-speaking countries around the world.

We aim to expose children to a variety of languages and cultures from the beginning of their time with us. Family members are welcomed into school to read stories, sing songs, and expose children to their home languages. Staff use parts of the school day to reinforce understanding of greetings and farewells, numbers, and key vocabulary.

Assessment

 We ensure that children in KS2 meet the attainment targets set out in the National Curriculum Programme of Study for languages through our Milestones. We assess pupils’ progress towards these outcomes using an ongoing process of observation, listening and questioning, supplemented by recordings of conversations written activities and quizzes. 

 Impact

 Through carefully planned learning activities, delivered in appropriate and creative ways, children develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to enjoy using languages, principally French, as speakers and as listeners/audience members. Children demonstrate clear enjoyment of, and confidence during, learning activities in languages lessons. They bring this positive attitude, together with the knowledge and skills learned in languages lessons, to other aspects of the curriculum. Almost all children make expected progress across and between each year and meet age-related expectations (ARE) at the end of Years 3 and 4. Pupils not meeting, or exceeding, ARE are supported and challenged appropriately so as to allow them to flourish within the subject.

We are proud to refine and showcase our skills in, and enjoyment of, languages in extra-curricular activities and events throughout the year, for example at the Year 4 French Breakfast. We provide language clubs through and external provider. Our work on the School of Sanctuary programme, allows us to focus on children and families whose home language is not English and whose culture differs from the traditional British model.