Modern Foreign Languages (French)

"Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom." - Roger Bacon

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela

At St Mary's, we are committed to developing pupils’ confidence and enjoyment in learning a modern foreign language. We use the Keswick School Language Hub Primary French resources, which are part of a project delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Excellence for Language Pedagogy (NCELP) and funded by the Department for Education.

The French curriculum is taught through a range of engaging, fully resourced units that develop pupils’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. The programme follows a flexible, modular approach, allowing learning to be tailored to the needs and interests of our pupils while ensuring progression across Key Stage 2.

Designed specifically with primary schools in mind, the resources provide high-quality, adaptable lessons suitable for children from Year 3 to Year 6. Pupils are introduced to a wide range of vocabulary, sentence structures and aspects of French culture, helping them to build confidence in communicating in another language and fostering curiosity about the wider world.

Through our French curriculum, children develop key language-learning skills, deepen their cultural awareness, and gain a strong foundation for future language study.

Intent

At St Mary’s, we are committed to developing pupils’ confidence and enjoyment in learning a modern foreign language. Using the Keswick School Language Hub Primary French resources, developed in partnership with the National Centre for Excellence for Language Pedagogy (NCELP), pupils build their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through engaging and progressive lessons.

Throughout Key Stage 2, children develop their vocabulary, phonics and understanding of French grammar while exploring aspects of French culture and traditions. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on prior knowledge and grow in confidence as communicators.

Our aim is for all children to develop a love of languages, an appreciation of different cultures and a strong foundation for future language learning.

Implementation 

Implementation

French is taught throughout Key Stage 2 using the Keswick School Language Hub Primary French resources. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build pupils’ knowledge of vocabulary, phonics, grammar and sentence structures over time. Children develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through interactive activities, songs, games, stories and structured language practice.

Pupils regularly revisit and apply previously taught language, helping them to develop confidence, fluency and accuracy. Learning also includes opportunities to explore French culture and traditions, enabling children to deepen their understanding of the wider world and prepare for further language study at secondary school.

Impact

Impact

By the time pupils leave St Mary’s, they have developed a secure foundation in French and are able to communicate using a range of familiar vocabulary and sentence structures. They can listen, speak, read and write with increasing confidence and accuracy, applying their knowledge independently in a variety of contexts.

Pupils develop a positive attitude towards language learning, an understanding of French culture and traditions, and an appreciation of the wider world. They are well-prepared for the next stage of language learning at secondary school and leave primary education with curiosity, confidence and enthusiasm for languages.