Curriculum

Intent

French is the chosen MFL at Western House Academy. We recognise the importance of language acquisition as a key skill, so we start our MFL Curriculum in Year 1, not the statutory starting point of Year 3. This gives the children a head start in language acquisition and learning about other cultures within our world. The scheme builds upon previous language learning, knowledge and skills. A spiral teaching method is used based on the premise that the children learn more each time the topic is reviewed or encountered, enabling them to expand their knowledge and improve their skill level. The three pillars of progression of language learning - phonics, vocabulary, grammar - are interlinked and are taught simultaneously and are revisited regularly, leading to understanding. Teaching focuses initially on developing listening skills, closely followed by speaking skills (oracy skills), whilst establishing an understanding of basic French grammar. Whenever possible lessons are multi-sensory and a kinaesthetic approach to teaching is used, serving to reinforce memory, making learning enjoyable, vivid and real.

With French, "every opportunity shapes a life" by including the 4 key aspects of our curriculum (VKEE) through:   

Values – All our Key Values are embedded into learning French at WHA. Whilst learning about other languages and cultures, a great emphasis is placed on curiosity, as well as respect and tolerance. Our children are encouraged to celebrate difference and diversity and to develop into caring, respectful global citizens who actively participate in all areas of the local community, whilst developing an understanding of their contribution to the wider world.

Knowledge – Our children at WHA are being exposed to understanding and responding to increasingly complex spoken and written language from a young age. The curriculum enables children to discover and develop an appreciation for the French language and culture, whilst improving understanding of English through knowledge and learning of French language and grammar. Communication skills are developed, through presentation of both the spoken and written word.

Equality - We believe in providing a learning experience that not only imparts language skills but also embraces diverse cultures. Recognizing and accommodating each child's unique learning style is a cornerstone of our approach, fostering an inclusive environment where every child feels valued. By promoting an inclusive language education, we aim to prepare our students to connect and thrive in an increasingly diverse world. 

Experiences - Alongside establishing oracy and literacy skills, most lessons incorporate elements of intercultural understanding, whether that be having opportunities to sample French food, identifying countries where French is spoken or simply talking about the similarities and differences of social conventions between different cultures. We have a language based day each July, which generates many opportunities to celebrate intercultural understanding through, art, music, drama and in many other exciting ways. We are currently planning a three day Paris trip for March 2025, so that some of our older children can immerse themselve into French culture and practise their language skills.

Implementation

French is taught from Year 1 to Year 6 in class groups, by a specialist teacher. Classes receive a one hour session, of discrete teaching per week.

Lesson plans are produced by the MFL Curriculum Manager and are designed to meet the attainment targets of the KS2 Languages Programme of Study, with the focus being on oracy, literacy and intercultural understanding. The scheme is a spiral curriculum model, divided appropriately between the year groups and building upon previous language learning, knowledge and skills. Teaching focusses initially on developing listening skills, closely followed by speaking skills (oracy skills), whilst establishing an understanding of basic French grammar.

French is introduced informally in KS1 through singing traditional songs, finger rhymes and storytelling and a more formal approach is introduced in Year 3, where the teaching and learning of MFL relies heavily on games, role play, and conversation. Through Key Stage 2, a greater importance is placed on the progression of fundamental reading and writing skills (literacy skills) rooted in phonics and learning how to use a bilingual dictionary. The scheme in Year 5 and 6 includes a series of creative projects, designed to consolidate and review language learning in Years 1 to 4. By Year 6, the children have opportunities to utilize the language skills they have acquired to write poems, letters and imaginative descriptions, using writing frames creating sentences with conjugated verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and conjunctions. All language skills developed in French are related to what the children are learning in the rest of the curriculum, especially English lessons. ICT is used to enhance the delivery of language through interactive presentations and activities.

Impact 

Each child’s progress is assessed against the attainment targets for the Programme of Study for Languages. Assessment is based on class observations of listening and speaking activities and written evidence in workbooks. Children have French workbooks from Year 3, which pass up through the school, allowing progress to be seen. Targets for each child are recorded in their workbooks. Parents receive an annual written report about their child’s progress in French.

Written French work is on display allowing the children to take pride in their work and celebrating their learning.

The children at WHA develop a real love for language learning and leave our school very well equipped to continue their language learning journey at secondary school and beyond. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the school for your outstanding commitment to teaching French. Your students come to our school with a very sound understanding which compliments our SOW and enables us to really stretch them and extend their learning." 

" I must say that the Western House Students come into year 7 with a really solid knowledge of French. You must be so proud of them!"

Nadia Siddiqui, Westgate.