“Learning a language enriches the curriculum. It provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. The natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enhance the overall teaching and learning experience. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained can make a major contribution to the development of children’s oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own culture/s and those of others.” The Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages (DfES 2005)
At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for pupils. Pupils develop communication and literacy skills that lay the foundation for future language learning. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others.
Intent
Here at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, the core language taught throughout Key Stage 2 is French. It is the intention that all children access first quality teaching of French, delivered by a designated teacher. Lessons are interactive, fun and lively and children are given the opportunity to develop new communication skills and build a vocabulary in a foreign language. Speaking a foreign language is a key to a door, opening up a new world of possibilities and opportunities.
Implementation
Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop skills in French. These ensure children acquire a bank of vocabulary organised around topics. They ensure development is progressive as they build on previous knowledge from units already studied. All children in KS2 are taught French in a weekly lesson.
Impact
We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
- Observing children speaking and listening in another language.
- Marking of written work.
As a school within BHCET, we teach a scheme of work designed by a transition team of primary school staff working with subject specialists from our secondary schools. This means our curriculum has been designed to ensure clear progression, in the acquisition of knowledge and for key skills, building on pupil's prior learning. We will teach termly, discreet topics for all KS2 pupils.