Languages at Friars

WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHY

At Friars we feel that many children enjoy learning to speak another language and by exposing them to a foreign language early in their development, the faster they will acquire the language. Additionally, children at primary school age feel less self-conscious when speaking aloud in another language allowing them to maximise every opportunity to practise their new linguistic skills. It is widely believed that the early acquisition of a foreign language facilitates the learning of other foreign languages later in life.

INTENT

By teaching a modern foreign language we will:

Celebrate the wide range of languages spoken within our school community
Through the teaching and learning of French, we will develop the children’s awareness of how different languages can be structured
We aim to develop children’s speaking and listening skills and lay the foundations for future study.

IMPLEMENTATION

Daily French practice – Class will go through the register counting how many children are in, how are you feeling today? feelings chart in French, date, weather

Continue to use French within displays in the classroom and outside in halls
A term of blocked French lessons as per main Timetable
Learning to be recorded digitally via audio or video files and documented in a digital Learning Journey
Class display to reflect the units of work taught that year
Practical activities, songs and games are used to consolidate learning.
Whenever possible during the school day, instructions are given in French to expose the children to the language
QR codes/videos used to show children speaking, practicing phrases, conversing

IMPACT

Pupils confidently recall vocabulary and phrases learnt
Children’s progress is assessed on a yearly basis using the agreed progression of skills
Digital learning journeys are clear and progress is evident
Pupils’ questionnaire outlines significant learning that has taken place and informs future teaching practice