Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Languages

Rationale- What has informed our curriculum design in modern foreign languages?

At Pomphlett, we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils.  Learning a modern foreign language is vital to becoming a global citizen as it helps the learner to appreciate the language, culture, religion and people of another country; appreciating their similarities and differences. Furthermore, we believe that language learning develops skills of resilience, confidence and risk taking as children learn that they can still communicate with others even if they do not understand everything that they see or hear.

Intent- What are our aims?

We want learners at Pomphlett to develop language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing and understand that learning a language is learning the art of communication. In KS1 and the Early Years, children should be motivated to learn about different languages and cultures. Later, in KS2, they should develop their expertise with the aim that, by the time they leave Pomphlett, learners are confident when communicating, primarily in French, which is the language that we have chosen to focus upon as a school. This choice results from Plymouth’s close proximity to France and connections such as the visiting French which is based in city centre.

We aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to:

• Recognise key vocabulary and phrases
• Use key vocabulary and phrases to write ideas
• Communicate ideas using the key vocabulary and phrases that they have learned
• Understand the culture of the countries in which languages are spoken to infer meaning from interactions

Implementation- How do we teach modern foreign languages?

In Key Stage 2, children at Pomphlett learn French through practical and interactive activities which develop their language skills and encourage them to find out more about the culture. Along with learning new topics, reinforcing knowledge every lesson is a key aspect of learning any language. We recap, revisit and give plenty of opportunity to practise vocabulary and phrases each lesson. Our curriculum is progressive. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years, beginning each unit and lesson with teacher assessments of what children already know in order to inform the learning that follows. Teachers use precise questioning alongside observation and discussion in to evaluate conceptual knowledge and skills. 

Continuous formative assessment identifies those children with gaps in learning, so that all children can fully access the learning.

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, we begin to learn language through songs and rhymes and curriculum links in our units of work which gives children a taste of language learning. Children also lead their own learning as they become curious about language and culture in other subjects and enjoy sharing this knowledge.

Impact- How will we know this?

Through the units of work that are studied discretely, our cross-curricular units of work and enrichment activities, children will show curiosity and an enthusiasm for a range of languages and cultures.

The essential characteristics we will see in our learners are:

• The confidence to speak with good intonation and pronunciation.

• Fluency in reading.

• Fluency and imagination in writing.

• A strong awareness of the culture of the countries where the language is spoken.

• A passion for languages and a commitment to the subject.

• The ability to use language creatively and spontaneously.

• An independence in their studies and the ability to draw upon a wide range of resources.

They will leave our school with an understanding of, and appreciation for, the wonderful diversity of our planet.