Modern Foreign Languages – French

We believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills, including key skills of speaking and listening. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others. Children from Year 3 onwards learn French. The children learn through a range of interactive activities including songs, games and speaking and listening activities. Please check our Curriculum, Overviews and Knowledge Organisers below

Modern Foreign Languages French Curriculum at St James Church of England Primary School

MFL French Curriculum Overview

Key Learning in MFL (French) Years 3 and 4

Key Learning in MFL (French) Years 5 and 6

MFL (French) in Action at St James'

KS2 MFL -🎉 Celebrating Bastille Day!

Our incredible Key Stage 2 children embarked on an exciting journey to France as they learned about and celebrated Bastille Day, the French National Day! 🎆✨ There was a lesson on the significance of Bastille Day, helping the children understand why this day is so important to the French people. They constructed a 3D representation of the Bastille prison. 🖌️🏰 Putting on their explorer hats, the children went ‘sight-seeing’, discovering iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the stunning French Alps, and the magnificent Arc de Triomphe! 🗼🏔️ Utilising their Design Technology skills, our budding architects crafted their very own Eiffel Towers using straws. 🎨🥤 Their adventure didn’t stop there! The children visited the Louvre virtually, diving into the world of famous French artists. Inspired by what they saw, they created their own masterpieces. To top it all off, they explored the beautiful realm of French music, engaging with a catchy song and expressing their feelings through art as they listened. What a wonderful way to experience culture! 🎶💖 What a fantastic day of learning and celebration! Well done, Key Stage 2! 👏

Yr6 MFL - To learn how to talk about different jobs.

In French, Yr6 were carrying out some fantastic speaking and listening tasks when learning more about the verb "travailler" (to work) and about jobs family members carry out. They discussed the importance of the correct verb form when talking about different people in their family. Tres Bien Yr6!

Yr6 MFL - To learn how to talk about different jobs.

Yr5 French - Speaking about ourselves

In today's Year 5 French lesson, we learnt how to speak about ourselves! We shared our names and ages using French phrases. For instance, you can say, "Je m'appelle [your name] et j'ai [your age] ans." We were also able to share our country and favourite colour. Please take a look at some fantasique

Yr5 French – Speaking about ourselves

Our aim at St James’ Haslingden is to foster a sense of wonder and curiosity in all our learners and help them to make sense of the world around them. Learning a foreign language enables pupils to see themselves as global citizens and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should deepen their understanding of the world and equip them to play active roles in our multicultural society. Teachers should feel confident in enabling children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. Languages should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping children to study and work in other countries.

At St James Haslingden, it is our intent that children will begin their languages learning in Key Stage 2. In Lower KS2, children will acquire basic skills and understanding of French with a strong emphasis placed on developing their speaking and listening skills. These will be embedded and further developed in Upper KS2, with greater emphasis on reading and writing, gradually progressing onto more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy.

In line with the National Curriculum for MFL, pupils at St James’ Haslingden are taught to:

listen attentively to spoken French language and show understanding by joining in and responding
explore the patterns and sounds of French language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help
speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic French language structures
develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases
present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences
read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in French
broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly
describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing
understand basic French grammar, including: feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English.

French lessons are taught weekly in KS2 by class teacher. Children demonstrate their learning through speaking and listening, participation in games and songs, completing practical activities and recording individual responses in their French exercise books.

The MFL subject leader will continually monitor the impact MFL teaching is having on the children’s learning, through work scrutiny and discussions with pupils, to ensure adequate progression of knowledge and skills from Year 3 right through to Year 6. They will also look for opportunities to celebrate languages across the school year, ensure the knowledge taught is continually revisited and check that the learners are able to apply the skills they have been taught to a variety of different settings, showing independence with their learning.