French
French at Elm Hall Primary
My name is Alice Knight and I'm the MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) lead at Elm Hall Primary. At Elm Hall we believe that learning a foreign language offers pupils the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them and enables them to cultivate a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences.
We focus on providing a high quality French education that fosters pupils’ curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world around them. The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating. Alongside our highly considered French language curriculum, children are offered various opportunities throughout the year to explore and immerse themselves in other cultures. Each year we celebrate the 'European Day of Languages' in September where each class is able to immerse themselves in the language, artwork, music and culture of another country within Europe.
We are currenly in the process of forging links with pen pals in a French speaking school and look forward to the 'real-life' context that this will provide many of our children.
Our learning aims
The Elm Hall French curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Understand and respond to spoken language from a variety of authentic French sources.
- Express themselves with increasing confidence and fluency through both speech and writing, finding ways of communicating what they want to say through discussion, conversation and asking questions.
- Speak with improving accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
- Explore the phonics, patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words.
The ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond Key Stage Two and become life-long language learners.
What do we learn?
All language units encompass elements of -
- Listening - class teacher dialogue, audio clips, speeches and videos
- Speaking - chanting, singing and holding dialogues
- Reading - words, phrases, passages, songs, poems and stories
- Writing - words, phrases and passages
Progressive elements of the 3 pillars of language learning - (phonics, grammar and vocabulary) are also embedded throughout each unit.
In Year 2 children explore -
- Greetings
- Colours and numbers
- Animals
In Year 3 children explore -
- Fruits
- Verbs/ Hobbies
- Presenting themselves
In Year 4 children explore -
- Dates/ Birthdays
- Families
- Pets
In Year 5 children explore -
- Weather
- Clothes
- Classroom
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In Year 6 children explore -
- French Cafe
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Their weekend
How do we learn?
French is taught in a whole-class setting by the class teacher or PPA cover and is therefore not reliant on one key member of staff. Each class has a timetabled lesson of at least thirty minutes per week in Year 2 and 45mins in KS2. French can also be revisited in short sessions or moments throughout the week such as registration to consolidate knowledge and ensure new language is retained.
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At Elm Hall we use the Language Angels scheme of work which is a specifically designed programme that ensures a clear and age-appropriate progression of vocabulary and language skill development for each year group and unit of work. The lessons have clear, achievable objectives and incorporate different learning styles As well as each subsequent lesson within a unit being progressive, the teaching type organisation of Language Angels units also directs, drives and guarantees progressive learning and challenge. Units increase in level of challenge, stretch and linguistic and grammatical complexity as pupils move from Early Learning units through Intermediate units and into the most challenging Progressive units. Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language learning journey through the primary phase. Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.
Meet Our Subject Ambassadors 2023-2024
Isla C - Year 4
Emilia Rawski - Year 5
Steffani L - Year 6
What did we achieve last year?
- We have gathered interesting facts, funny French phrases and French idioms and published them weekly in the school newsletter.
- We have photographed evidence of French teaching and learning for the school website and for the French display in the computer suite that we update every term.
- We have developed a list of ideas of how we can raise the profile of French across the school.
- We have created and displayed French signage around the school.
- We have held a whole school assembly to share what children are learning about in French.
Curriculum Documents 2023-2024
Check out our Elm Hall French Curriculum below:
Check out our Elm Hall French Vocabulary progression below:
Check out our Elm Hall French Policy below: