Orchard Park Community Primary School

French

Intent

At Orchard Park, we are all fortunate to be members of a rich and diverse community who come from a range of cultural backgrounds. Our staff and pupils speak many different languages, and so we recognise the power of language learning in providing children with a broader perspective of the world. Our languages curriculum aims to promote awareness and understanding of the world by building on children’s cultural capital through an in depth knowledge of French language and society. Pupils will access high quality teaching which develops a love of language, literature, music and art whilst allowing them to deepen their understanding of grammar, vocabulary and the spoken word.

All pupils will be supported to achieve their full potential, with the ultimate aim of pupils feeling confident engaging in spoken French, reading, listening and writing. Throughout their time in Key Stage Two, children will develop an understanding of the opportunities provided by learning a language, and the doors that will be opened to them in their future.

Implementation

Pupils will be formally introduced to the French language in Year Three, however, younger pupils will have the option of attending a French Club as a part of our extra-curricular offer. We follow the ‘Salut!’ scheme of work which has a focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Children’s knowledge of the grammatical features of the French language are developed and embedded through a wide variety of topics and themes focused on French culture and traditions.

Speaking and listening activities form a key part of pupils’ language learning. They have the opportunity to sing songs, engage in drama and role-play activities and perform rhymes. Pupils actively participate in lessons, using real-life French resources including age-appropriate texts, games and videos. Pupils are taught by subject specialists to promote high quality language experiences. Pupils’ cultural awareness is enhanced through the celebration of French holidays and the European Day of Languages.

Impact

By the end of Key Stage Two, pupils will feel confident when expressing themselves in French; having simple conversations, listening, reading and writing at an age appropriate level. Through learning an additional language, pupils will have had the opportunity to explore relationships between language and identity and develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them. Children will foster a love of language and will be fully prepared to continue their study of French at secondary school and beyond.