Learning a foreign language from a young age has many benefits so our secondary language specialist teachers are teaching pupils from Nursery to Year 4, to give them an authentic experience of the language. Learning a language from an early age is fun, and pupils are taught through games, songs and rhymes. It helps promote self-confidence and encourages children to be curious, as well as enhances their communication and literacy skills. Pupils are taught a range of basic topics, such as numbers, colours and the days of the week. There is also an emphasis on culture, as they look at various aspects of French life.

Readiness for Middle School

The following MFL knowledge/concepts are non-negotiables for end of Year 4 for all pupils.

• Vocabulary of 100 words in French

• Understanding gender concept and rules

• Be able to write simple sentences in French

• Be able to read and decode and the word and sentence level

• Understand rules for the plural

• Understand words and simple sentences in French

• Be able to engage in simple questions and answers in French

• Have cultural knowledge of France

Intervention and catch-up Lower School

Any pupils not yet working able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge/concepts listed above will receive the following support in Year 5, and 6:

• 1-2-1 support in class

• Additional practice with language assistants (if available)

• Peer support

• Setting arrangements refined in Middle School (Years 7 and 8)

In Middle School, the French Curriculum focuses on two main things: culture and developing and securing basic knowledge of the language.

In year 5, pupils will look at different sports and the importance of sport in France. They will also discover French music and French cinema, all whilst learning the vocabulary related to those topics.

In year 6, pupils will focus on French history, from Napoleon Bonaparte to Louis XIV and finally the revolution. They will also discover other countries where French is spoken, such as Canada, Switzerland and African countries. This will help pupils place French at a much wider global level.

In years 7 and 8, they will start the national curriculum and complete a variety of topics, such as school, family, town, sports and holidays. All this will build on their knowledge from previous years and help develop their confidence, ready for the GCSE journey.

Readiness for Upper School

The following MFL knowledge/concepts are non-negotiables for end of Year 8 for all pupils.

• Vocabulary of 300+ words in French

• Use and understand the rules for present, past and future tenses

• Understanding gender rules and agreements of adjectives

• Be able to write complex sentences and longer compositions in a foreign language

• Be able to read and decode at a whole text level

• Have experience and knowledge of a range of cultural contexts

• Speak with some fluency for an extended time

• Listen to extended conversations and respond appropriately

• Be able to engage in conversations in French

• Read and be introduced to French literature

Intervention and catch-up Middle School

Any pupils not yet working able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge/concepts listed above will receive the following support in Year 5 - 8.

• Additional catch-up sessions with subject specialists

• 1-2-1 support in class

• Effective setting based on literacy levels

• Differentiated work

• Additional practice with language assistants (if available)

• Language clubs – such as film club to support and enthuse pupils

From year 9, some pupils will be offered the possibility to choose Spanish as a GCSE, while the others will continue with their French learning. The objective of the course is to enable students to develop their skills in languages, equipping them with the tools to communicate effectively. The course focuses on 4 skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It covers a variety of topics throughout the 3 years:

Theme 1: Identity and culture

• Topic 1: Relationships with family and friends / marriage and partnership

• Topic 2: Social media / mobile technology

• Topic 3: Music / Sport / Cinema / Eating out

• Topic 4: Culture and festivals

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

• Topic 1: home and town

• Topic 2: charity work / healthy living

• Topic 3: environment / poverty

• Topic 4: holidays

Theme 3: Current and future studies and employment

• Topic 1: my studies

• Topic 2: life a school/college

• Topic 3: education post-16

• Topic 4: jobs, career choices

The assessments consists of 4 papers:

• Paper 1: listening – 35/40 minutes

• Paper 2: speaking – 7-12 minutes

• Paper 3: reading – 60 minutes

• Paper 4: writing – 60-75 minutes

Intervention and catch-up Upper School

Any pupils not yet working able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge/concepts listed above will receive the following support in Year 9/10 and 11.

• 1-2-1 support in class

• Setting arrangements in upper school

• Additional practice with language assistants (when available)

• French revision club – Tuesdays 15.15-16.15

• Spanish revision club – Tuesdays 15.15-16.15

Lower School:

• Regular learning from language specialists from Nursery to Year 4

• Rewards and awards for pupils achieving and succeeding in MFL

Middle School:

In previous years, students have had the opportunity to:

• Experience a trip to a foreign country

• Experiences of French/Spanish culture through internal events and external visits

• Take part in language clubs, focusing on culture (films, music etc.)

Upper School:

In previous years, pupils have had the opportunity to:

• Experience a trip to a foreign country

• Experiences of French/Spanish culture through internal events and external visits

• Take part in language clubs, focusing on culture (films, music etc.)

• Practice at the demands of the GCSE: speaking practice in smaller groups