Curriculum Statement: Modern Foreign Languages
‘Excellence, Truth and Grace’
MFL Intent
At Middleton Parish Church School, our intent is to help children to feel that they are linguists; and develop a love of and take pride in learning a new language. Our chosen language is French. Children will embody our motto of excellence, truth and grace in their approach to French and children’s linguistic skills will be celebrated and encouraged at all levels of ability. We will focus on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children need in order to become confident linguists, listeners and translators. At the heart of our MFL curriculum is the desire to expose children to authentic and native French speakers.
We aim to ensure that all KS2 children are exposed to quality linguistic opportunities that build on our school’s Christian foundation, the children’s daily lives and the cultures of the French community. This will teach the children to respect and appreciate the language and traditions of French communities and to make comparisons to their own.
At Middleton Parish Church School, children will develop the linguist skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and the scheme of work was chosen, to allow opportunity for children to gradually revisit and build on their linguistic skills. We follow The Primary Language Network scheme of work and this enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets outlined in the national curriculum and the aims of this scheme align with those of the national curriculum.
Above all, we intend to inspire children to develop a love of languages and to expand their horizons to other countries, cultures and people. Where in school we have children with EAL, we will recognise and celebrate their native languages. We aim to help children grow into curious, confident and reflective language learners and to provide them with a foundation that will equip them for further language studies in KS3 and beyond.
MFL Implementation
At Middleton Parish Church School, French is taught as a discrete subject from Year 3 to Year 6, and we take a holistic approach to MFL in using the Primary Language Network scheme. We follow a curriculum model where previous skills and knowledge are revisited and built upon, this ensures that our children meet the DfE twelve attainment targets. Our lessons aid children to build on prior knowledge alongside the introduction of new skills. The introduction and revision of key vocabulary and grammatical structures is built into each lesson. The children are encouraged to spot cognates and non- cognates when translating text. Children are continually building on their language knowledge base, moving from new vocabulary and then implementing this into a phrase and eventually simple conversations.
The use of Primary Language Network Scheme allows children to be exposed to native French speakers- through the regular use of sound bytes (this also provides staff with CPD in correct pronunciation and unfamiliar vocabulary). The scheme teaches the children French phonics, reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. Whilst following the scheme of work, we also allow for exploration of local customs and traditions in our children’s native languages where English is an additional language. This allows our children to experience and broaden their cultural knowledge of different languages, countries and cultures. Annually, we celebrate Bastille Day with a French activities’ day, this exposes the children to French cuisine, games and cultural topics and history. All our children are encouraged to try out their language skills to develop confident linguists who will have a desire to study MFL at High School.
Classroom working walls, display vocabulary used in the topic and these aid children in selecting vocabulary alongside the use of knowledge organisers. English/French dictionaries, are regularly used in lessons, by the children, to clarify unfamiliar vocabulary.
MFL Impact
At Middleton Parish Church School, teachers use both formative and summative assessments to assess the children. Throughout lessons, teachers formatively assess children on their confidence, contribution, enthusiasm as well as ability. At the end of each unit of work, a formal summative ‘Puzzle it out’ assessment is conducted. This assesses the children in all four elements of their language ability: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
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