French
French at Earlsfield is taught from by Madame Clarke.
We follow the Primary National Curriculum for Languages and aim to equip children with appropriate subject knowledge and skills as well as making learning a language enjoyable and exciting with many cross-curricular links and activities.
Our intent for teaching languages at Earlsfield is to:
- foster children’s interest in learning other languages;
- introduce another language in a way that is enjoyable and fun;
- develop an appreciation of the diversity of languages;
- add an international dimension to children’s learning;
- help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries;
- develop children’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills;
- understand and communicate in a new language;
- to understand and use different grammatical structures;
- develop good pronunciation and understand sound-spelling links;
- make links with other areas of the curriculum;
- lay the foundations for future study.
Subject overview
How is French taught?
We use a scheme of work that is designed to support language progression from years 1 to 6 covering a range of age- appropriate contexts, including making links with other areas of the curriculum including Geography, Maths, History and Science.
Children are expected to
- ask and answer questions;
- use correct pronunciation and grammar;
- memorise words and phrases;
- work in pairs and groups to communicate;
- work independently using dictionary skills;
- develop reading and writing skills;
- listen to songs and stories;
- gain an insight into life in another culture.
We measure progress through the identification of appropriate age-related skills and contexts using a progression overview framework that maps to the National Curriculum. The language learning examples from the scheme of work show how the skills relate to the scheme of work for French. The skills outlined for each year group are used to support whole class assessment or for a targeted group of pupils as well as individual children. The French teacher can observe whether most children are successful in achieving the skills. This is recorded on an Excel spreadsheet on a regular basis to demonstrate the progression in skills, to provide assessment information and to facilitate the completion of end of year reports to parents.
All children make progress in French and develop linguistic skills to equip them for future learning. Children will recognise and use key vocabulary and structures in different contexts appropriate to their interests and maturity. Learning a new language promotes initiative, independence and a range of transferable skills.
What would you expect to see in a French lesson at Earlsfield?
- Individual and whole class contributions, reflecting learning and understanding
- Regular use of songs to practise pronunciation and develop understanding of the language
- Regular use of bilingual dictionaries to enhance learning and understanding and to promote independence
- Examples of cross-curricular and progressive learning
- A calm and safe environment where children feel comfortable and are willing to demonstrate their learning and resilience.
What do pupils tell us about French?
How do you know when you have made progress in French?
Year 2 pupil: ” I really enjoyed going to France in the summer because I was able to say things in French.”
Year 6 student: “When I can begin to transfer prior learning into a new topic.”
How do you know you are being challenged in French?
Year 1 pupil: ”I am being challenged by learning French sounds. I remember some things but not everything”.
Year 2 pupil: ”I am being challenged by remembering what I am learning: days, months and saying the full date. That was challenging at first but now I am confident”.
What do you enjoy most in your French lessons?
Reception pupil: ”I have learnt how to say ‘Bonjour’, ‘au revoir’. We know the colours song and the counting song: 4,5,6 … I enjoy the game Toc Toc Toc because it is so funny. I don’t find anything tricky”.
Year 2 pupil: “Being able to be confident in French! Merci de m’apprendre le français. J’ai aimé faire le français!” .
Year 4 students: “Learning countries and continents in French”.
Year 5 students: “We like when we know our work is going to be used for display purposes”.
