Learning a foreign language is a necessary part of being a member of a multi-cultural society and provides an opening to other cultures. The intention of the French curriculum at Battle Hill Primary School is that children are taught to develop an interest in learning other languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating and should foster their curiosity and deepen understanding of the world. The teaching should enable children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes and learn new ways of thinking. We encourage children’s confidence and strive to stimulate and encourage their curiosity about language. We actively add links to develop pupils’ awareness of cultural differences in other countries, through a residential trip to France, our links with China and being part of the Erasmus Project. We strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning. It is intended when children leave Battle Hill Primary they will have a natural curiosity and confidence to explore other countries, cultures and languages, accepting that, in a multi-lingual society it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively with others. Our aim is pupils will be engaged and prepared to continue learning further languages as they move to the next phase of their education.
Our MFL curriculum has been designed to progressively develop skills in French. We do this through weekly lessons following the NTC programme of study, in addition to other resources. This ensures children acquire a bank of vocabulary organised around topics. They ensure development is progressive as they build on previous knowledge from units already studied. MFL is also promoted throughout the school, through activities dedicated to specific topics e.g. a French café and French Christmas carols. In Key Stage 2, children are given the opportunity to visit France on a residential trip to apply the language skills they have learned and immerse themselves in a different language and culture. Planning includes practical activities, songs and games to help improve memory and recall and visual prompts are used to support children in translating new vocabulary. MFL planning ensures the development of all four key skills areas (listening, reading, speaking and writing) and is sequenced to promote progression in terms of age-related expectations.
Impact
The MFL curriculum at Battle Hill Primary ensures an increased enjoyment and understanding of different cultures and languages; skills that are transferable in the next stage of their education and a greater awareness of a previously unfamiliar culture, therefore linking to the Equality Act and British Fundamental Values.