At St Mary’s we begin our French learning at the beginning of Key Stage 2. Through our scheme of work (Language Angels), children have the opportunity to listen, speak, read and write in French alongside building their cultural understanding of another language and nationality.

Our curriculum is built around the three ‘pillars’ of language learning (phonics, grammar and vocabulary) and these are woven within all of our units. The language is introduced gradually and becomes more complex and sophisticated as children progress through Key Stage 2. We believe that an understanding of French phonics supports the learning of the language, particularly focusing on how this is different from the English phonics system. A phonics unit is taught at the beginning of each year group, building each time on the sounds learnt before. Correct pronunciation of the language is key, we use sound clips of authentic French speakers, alongside a French speaking Learning Support Assistant, to ensure that children practise and learn the correct pronunciation.

By the end of Key Stage 2 we aim for all of our children to be able to;

• Understand and respond to spoken and written language
• Speak with increasing confident and fluency
• Improve the accuracy of their pronunciation
• Write simple sentences in French for a range of purposes

Implementation

 French is taught weekly throughout Key Stage 2 with the lesson length building from 30 minutes in Year 3 to an hour in Year 6. Each unit has a key theme, within which, all areas of language development

Lessons allow children to apply their new language learning in a range of ways with opportunities to speak, write and read in French. French lessons are also linked to other areas of the curriculum and learning in previous years. In Year 5 the unit 'Les Romains' draws on children's Roman knowledge, from history, to help them decode French texts.