MFL
MFL
INTENT:
At St. Paul’s Primary School, we recognize the value of learning a modern foreign language in fostering curiosity about the world, deepening cultural understanding, and developing skills that will benefit our pupils throughout their lives. Our French curriculum is designed to be practical, engaging, and tailored to meet the needs of our learners.
Starting from Key Stage 1, children are introduced to French through songs and rhymes, providing an enjoyable and accessible entry point to language learning. In Key Stage 2, we build on this foundation with structured weekly lessons, focusing on vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and conversational skills. Our goal is to foster confidence in speaking and listening while introducing writing at an age-appropriate level, preparing children to progress as they move through school.
The use of bespoke resources, such as Mr. Innes’ videos, ensures that both pupils and staff, regardless of prior language experience, are equipped with accurate pronunciation and engaging materials. Through links with the Commando Joe RESPECT curriculum, French learning is integrated with other areas of study, such as cultural awareness and teamwork.
Our French curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong love of language learning while promoting resilience, cultural empathy, and self-awareness. By exposing children to the structure and patterns of French, we aim to develop their linguistic confidence, laying a foundation for future language study in secondary school and beyond.
IMPLEMENTATION:
At St. Paul’s, the French curriculum is carefully planned and delivered to ensure consistent progression across all year groups:
Key Stage 1:
French is introduced through songs, rhymes, and basic vocabulary tied to Commando Joe themes, encouraging enthusiasm for language learning while developing listening and speaking skills in an age-appropriate way.
Key Stage 2:
Weekly 30-minute French lessons focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills:
Years 3 and 4: Pupils focus on vocabulary building, pronunciation, and oral communication. They record key phrases and sentences to prepare for written work in later years.
Years 5 and 6: Pupils expand their learning to include more structured grammar, sentence formation, and written expression while revisiting and applying prior knowledge recorded in their French jotters.
Resources and Tools:
Lessons are enhanced by Mr. Innes’ videos, which provide accurate pronunciation models and support teachers without French as a second language. This ensures consistent, high-quality teaching across all year groups.
Cross-Curricular Links:
French learning is reinforced through connections with Commando Joe topics, allowing children to explore cultural elements, teamwork, and resilience while applying their language skills to broader contexts.
Differentiation and Progression:
Lessons include extension tasks and challenges to support varying abilities within each class. French jotters follow pupils throughout Key Stage 2, enabling them to revisit prior learning and integrate vocabulary and grammar from previous units.
IMPACT:
The French curriculum at St. Paul’s equips children with the skills and confidence to engage with a modern foreign language, preparing them for future study and fostering cultural curiosity. By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will have:
A solid foundation in French vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Confidence in speaking and listening, with the ability to construct basic sentences in writing.
An appreciation for French culture and the importance of learning languages.
Progress is measured through teacher assessments, pupil voice, and evidence in French jotters, ensuring that learning is consistent, cumulative, and enjoyable. Through enrichment opportunities like cultural days and cross-curricular projects, pupils develop a deeper connection to the language and culture, leaving St. Paul’s as confident, respectful global citizens ready to embrace further language learning.