MFL- French

Subject Lead: Mr N Tinjod

Link LAC Member: Mr S Parkin

The purpose of studying French, as a foreign language in our school is firstly to open students to other cultures and countries of the French speaking world. As students deepen their understanding of the world they are able to express ideas and thoughts in another language and reciprocally can respond to speakers from these countries both orally and in writing. Pupils’ knowledge and understanding will be developed to communicate for practical purposes and will leave Year 6, equipped for further language learning and for study in another country.

Our aims

Using the National Curriculum for languages, we will ensure pupils: 

• Understand and respond to spoken and written languages from a variety of authentic sources (videos from French schools, the internet, Language learning methods, French magazines, comic strips and films)
• Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussions and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
• Can write at varying length (Writing, from word level [1], sentence level [2], paragraph level [3]), for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures they have learnt and knowing how to redraft to show improvement or excellence.

French Lessons

Spelling, grammar and punctuation is taught explicitly throughout the years where and when most relevant.

Teachers, leaders and assistants use a variety of teaching styles with particular emphasis on modelling and student interdependent coaching.

Inside the class teaching strategies used include: guided writing; paired writing; paired reading; independent writing; word level and grammar activities; class/paired role plays/WIGWAMS; and all activities which promote learners’ coaching skills (writing, reading, speaking)

Teachers ensure that writing, speaking, reading has a purpose /meaningful context.

Phonics within lessons

Each unit include specific phonemes as shown in the phonics progression map. As the class progresses students make links to other words which include the currently taught phonemes. Sounds are regularly reviewed by students and colour coded on new pieces of work, either in pairs or independently.

Links are constantly made to statutory spellings, as they include many words from French.

Vocabulary within Lessons

In each lesson, when grammatical or natural gender appears, students’ awareness of un/une //le /la //mon/ma will be increased so that in the later years they access grammatical rules for gender and number (des/les/mes)   

Conjugations within Lessons

In each lesson, when a shift in personal pronoun/conjugated form can be used, the teacher will rephrase student speech using a different pronoun and conjugated form, especially for -er regular words. He /she will show written forms on the board.

When/ where relevant in a unit, a conjugation table will be constructed, for the high frequency verbs and auxiliaries (etre/avoir). Specific activities will reinforce/consolidate the notion of roots/endings/tense and person markers(suffixes)

Later years/terms will include more specific tasks and challenges focussed and transition work with secondary schools.

Paired Reading Sessions

Just like students do at home with their parents (on an evening) students will pair read texts to share skills so that ALL children can access paragraph and text level.

Children are grouped in such ways that they progress from guided reading to interdependent reading BUT finally move towards independent reading.