Modern Foreign Languages

At South Bank Primary School, we have chosen to study French as the modern foreign language. We have been fortunate to travel to France on week- long school visits with Year 5 and 6 pupils in 2011 , 2012 and most recently, in 2015 to an activities centre in the Mayenne. The visits help to consolidate their understanding of the language, as well as gaining insight into the cultural aspects of the country .

In school, children in years 3 to 6 follow the scheme of work compiled by Catherine Cheater which is based on the DFE KS2 Framework for Languages.

Throughout all the year groups, the emphasis is on learning through enjoyment, and to gain confidence in speaking and understanding French. There is a short, concentrated lesson, followed by quick learning “parcels” throughout the week, which consolidate earlier learning.

In Years 3 and 4 the emphasis is on listening to the language and speaking, with lots of songs, games and rhymes. These are all repeated so that they become familiar. Stories are read to the children so that they hear French being spoken. By the end of the Year 4 scheme, children will be practising speaking in sentences.

Year 5 and 6 build on the work in previous years, but introduce simple grammar and dictionary work, as well as more complex reading and speaking skills.

Throughout each year, children are exposed to the culture of France through art, music and dance. They find out a little about French history and geography. Aspects of everyday life are compared and French customs are investigated.

Most of the children now in KS2 have had an introduction to French in KS1 through the Dinocrocs programme. Although this is not running at present in KS1, it is hoped that it will be available again, as time allows. At the moment, the children are slotting into the KS2 scheme at the appropriate level and will progress into the higher levels as their knowledge builds and the programme becomes embedded.