Modern Languages

'If you learn a second language, you're able to see the world through a second set of eyes' At OTCA, we are lucky to already have a significant number of bilingual children, which makes our diverse school rich in languages from, across the world. We intend to provide children with the knowledge and tools to explore and understand French and its context in the curriculum, to broaden their thinking and pupils the gift of the French language. In Year 2, children will be taught the context of the language, through Geography, ready to explore and learn the language in KS2. By exposing our children to French in KS2, we believe the language will be acquired faster and will build strong foundation ready to move their learning into the KS3 language curriculum. We intend to develop enthusiastic and confident language learners who have a positive attitude towards MFL to carry with them into their futures. We want to develop a growth mindset in each of our pupils so they are not limited by the language they have not learned, instead are inspired by the language they have. This means as our pupils move to KS3, there is no limit to what they can achieve in language learning. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained will contribute to the development of children’s Oracy and Literacy and to their understanding of their own cultures. We intend to empower teachers as well as pupils through the consistent use of Language Angels in KS2.

We teach French across Key Stage 2, with a background lesson taught in Year 2. This is a Geography lesson on France to provide KS1 pupils with some context of the country before learning the language in KS2 . The school uses the "Language Angels" scheme of work to support the teaching and learning of French. This provides clear progression for the development of speaking (vocabulary and transactional language), listening, reading and writing acquisition. There are resources to support the teaching and learning opportunities for pupils. The sequence of learning follows phonetic units of learning at the beginning of each year group's learning. This is followed by core, early language, intermediate and progressive language units. Because we start our languages learning in KS2, we have a combination of mainly core, early language and intermediate language units. Whilst we have adopted Language Angels, it will be important for teachers to adapt based on the needs of their cohort, as some have been impacted by the effects of the pandemic. At least one language unit is repeated throughout the children's learning journey, revisiting to embed the language securely. Children and families have access to the resources available on Language Angels at home, enabling them to share their learning experience together. This will also inspire children with a love for languages to pursue their passion and excel in languages in the future. Withing the language units, children will use a variety of the following techniques to support them through their journey of French learning:

• Games – in order to develop vocabulary through repetition, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

• Role-play – these should relate to the situations the children may find themselves in the future.

• Action songs and rhymes – to develop phonetic skills, memory skills and to further vocabulary.

• Reading and writing quality materials.

• ICT programs and websites; the use of ICT to develop communication skills. We build children’s confidence through praise for any contribution they make in the foreign language, however tentative. We base the teaching on the 2014 National Curriculum through the Language Angels. We have adapted this to the context of our school. This provides teachers with clear progression grids and content for teaching and learning.

French curriculum documents

 French MFL curriculum year group progression

 French MFL curriculum vocabulary ladders progression 

 French MFL curriculum whole school map and learning focus