At Paddox Primary School, we study French in Key Stage 2. Studying a language in primary school provides children with essential skills. As well as giving them the opportunity to learn a second language, an increasingly important skill in our globalised society, it also helps to promote and develop a broader intercultural understanding.
The study of a second language also supports children’s general literacy and oracy, by raising awareness of their own language and thereby enriching their understanding of both. Furthermore, primary languages are about fun, communication, confidence building, developing learning strategies, learning about similarities and differences and respecting others.
It is the intention at Paddox for all children in Key Stage 2 to have access to quality teaching of French, to develop confidence in oracy and written skills so every child can become knowledgeable citizens of the world.
The teaching of French at Paddox follows the Language Magnet Primary French Programme throughout Key Stage 2. At the start of every lesson, previous learning is revisited to ensure the children are secure with their knowledge. This is known at Paddox as a ‘Boomerang’.
The children then further their knowledge through a variety of interactive activities including games, quizzes, videos and song. New vocabulary is introduced, with children given time to practice their speaking and listening skills with the correct pronunciation.
At the end of each lesson, the children are given time to reflect on what they have learned and practise applying their skills. Topics are built upon as the children travel through Key Stage 2, giving the children the opportunity to revisit their prior learning and build upon this. For example; in Year 3 children learn numbers 0 to 20, in Year 4 children recap numbers to 20 before learning 21 to 40, and in Years 5 and 6 they learn the numbers 41 to 100, whilst also learning how to apply these numbers to solve mathematical problems.
At Paddox, French is assessed at regular intervals throughout the academic year using a combination of teacher judgement, end of topic assessments. Children are assessed against the MFL DfE Attainment Targets which include:
- Listening attentively to spoken language and showing understanding by joining in and responding.
- Speaking in sentences using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.
- Reading carefully and showing an understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.
- Writing phrases from memory and describing people, places, things and actions in writing.
French Roadmap