French
At Kenilworth Primary School, we have chosen French for our Modern Foreign Language. Learning a foreign language is part of the primary National Curriculum and is a requirement for all children within Key Stage 2. At Kenilworth, we use the scheme Language Angels.
Why do we teach French?
At Kenilworth, we want all children to realise their place in the wider world and learning a language is a fantastic way to open the world to our pupils. French is spoken in five different continents and is a great language for opening the door to other languages (particularly Spanish, Portugese, Italian and Romanian). It also supports children to unlock their own language – both vocabulary and spellings – as a lot of French words have been amalgamated into the English language.
Intent
At Kenilworth Primary School, we teach French to develop pupils' curiosity, confidence and understanding of the wider world. Learning a foreign language is a statutory requirement in Key Stage 2 and we aim to inspire a love of language learning whilst equipping pupils with the skills needed for future study.
The French curriculum at Kenilworth Primary School enables pupils to:
- Develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills
- Build secure knowledge of key vocabulary, phonics and grammar
- Communicate confidently in French, for real purposes
- Understand and appreciate French culture and the wider Francophone world
- Prepare effectively for language learning at Key Stage 3
We are committed to an inclusive and ambitious curriculum that supports all learners to succeed.
Implementation
French is taught weekly in Years 3 to 6 using the Language Angels scheme of work, which provide a progressive and structured approach to language learning. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge and develop all four language skills.
- In Years 3 and 4, pupils learn basic vocabulary, pronunciation and simple sentence structures
- In Years 5 and 6, pupils extend their learning through more complex language, improved grammatical accuracy and increased independence.
Teaching is interactive and engaging, incorporating songs, games, stories, role-play native audio, reading and writing tasks. Regular repetition and retrieval support long-term memory. Assessment is ongoing through observation, speaking activities, written work and role play.
Impact
By the end of Year 6, pupils:
- Understand and respond to spoken and written French
- Speak confidently using full sentences
- Read and write short texts with increasing accuracy
- Demonstrate understanding of key grammatical concepts
- Show curiosity and respect for other cultures
Pupils leave Kenilworth Primary School well prepared for further language learning at secondary school.