French
French Intent
At Walworth School we aim to ‘significantly improve the quality of all our children’s lives’ delivering a rich and varied curriculum that meets the requirements of the National curriculum whilst developing the key curriculum drivers we have identified:
- Emotional awareness
- Citizenship
- Independence
- Life experiences and Understanding
Our curriculum drivers shape our curriculum breadth. They have been developed from an exploration of the backgrounds of our pupils, our beliefs about high-quality education and our values. They are used to ensure we give our pupils appropriate and ambitious curriculum opportunities. Cultural capital gives our pupils the vital background knowledge required to be informed and thoughtful members of our community who understand and believe in British values.
At Walworth School, we believe the study of Languages is important in preparing pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly carried out in languages other than English. Language learning provides an opening to other cultures and helps children develop a philosophy where difference is celebrated.
Learning a language is not just a skill in its own right, it can also have benefits across the curriculum. Understanding a modern foreign language increases a child’s understanding of their own language, and the building blocks which form this. The process of learning a foreign language reinforces fluency and understanding of grammar, syntax, sentence structure and verbal precision. Increased capability in the use of languages can also promote initiative and independent learning and encourages diversity within society.
Through the teaching of French at Walworth School, we aim to:
- Ensure every child has the opportunity, throughout Key Stage 2, to study French as a foreign language; developing their interest in the culture of other nations, communities and beliefs.
- Ensure pupils have access to high-quality teaching and learning opportunities.
- Ensure pupils have exposure to simple commands including day-to-day French language, including days, months, numbers and classroom instructions.
- Develop the key skills, as identified in the National Curriculum, of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
French Implementation
The teaching of French is delivered through a comprehensive scheme of work – Salut – which covers all aspects of the MFL curriculum: speaking, listening, reading and writing. These units provide a clear progression of skills through KS2 with additional core units that teachers can revisit to embed key skills.
Each lesson involves games and activities to firstly learn new vocabulary and then use this within a sentence. Additional activities can include songs, games, quizzes and worksheets.
In addition to this, teachers make cross curriculum links to deepen children’s understanding of French culture for example: having a French breakfast morning, cooking French recipes or making links to French-speaking countries through geography.
French Impact
Our MFL curriculum is fun and enjoyed by learners, well-resourced and planned to demonstrate progression through Key Stage 2. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through:
- Monitoring and reflection against subject-specific skills defined in each year of study;
- Children applying their knowledge of language to other areas of the curriculum;
- Children applying their cultural understanding and tolerance across society and cultures.
