Revision History
| Version | Date | Comments | Review Date |
| 4 | Spring 2015 | Amended, approved and issued | Spring 2017 |
| 3 | Spring 2013 | Amended, approved and issued | Spring 2015 |
| 2 | February 2011 | Approved and issued | February 2013 |
| 1 | January 2011 | First draft |
Rationale
The skills, knowledge and understanding gained through learning a new language make a major contribution to the development of children’s oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own and others’ culture. Language lies at the heart of ideas about individual identity and community, and learning another language can do a great deal to shape children’s ideas about the World.
Aims and Objectives
Modern Foreign Languages promote an interest and curiosity about the wider world and a sense of European/International Identity. Languages raise children’s awareness of being a global citizen. The aims of Modern Foreign Language teaching are to enable all children to:
- Develop an enthusiasm and foster an interest for learning languages and to become aware of the benefits of understanding and speaking different languages;
- communicate in other languages by speaking and listening, reading and writing;
- respect and develop an awareness of cultural difference and similarities in other countries
- become involved in the International Dimension of the school through the development of links with other countries;
- develop speaking and listening skills
- lay foundations for future study for KS3
Organisation
All children from Year 3 to Year 6 have up to one hour of French per week or 2 every 2 weeks. The children are taught French in their class groups and lessons are delivered by their class teacher/PPA cover staff in shorter sessions throughout the week or as an independent 1 hour lesson. Children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 also have the opportunity to engage with French and are introduced to colours, numbers, weather and other basic language for ‘short bursts’ throughout the week.
Teaching and Learning Style
At St John’s CE(A) Primary School we make Modern Foreign Languages an enjoyable learning experience. Children develop their language skills through techniques to encourage children to engage actively, these include: rhymes, stories, role-play, games and songs (and action songs), with written activities to reinforce and extend language. The use of ICT is a key part of Modern Foreign Language teaching, the use of dvds, the internet and e-mailing provide children with a direct insight into other cultures and provides a method of communicating with other countries.
Modern Foreign Language Curriculum Planning
We base the teaching on the material in the Monkseaton Scheme of Work based on the KS2 Framework for Languages. We have chosen FRENCH as the language to be taught as a number of staff have some knowledge of it, and it is taught in our main feeder secondary school. This scheme ensures that the topics that the children study in modern foreign languages build upon prior learning. While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each lesson, the planned progression built into the scheme of work means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school.
Cross Curricular Links
We aim to integrate language learning across the curriculum to connect with learning in other subject areas.
- Modern Foreign Languages compliment the teaching of English in our school by actively promoting the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Children’s understanding of English can be enhanced by comparing similarities and differences between English and other languages. Where possible, the school uses the school community and other links to expose pupils to native speakers.
- At a higher level of language learning children develop an awareness and understanding through counting, understanding the calendar and telling the time in a foreign language, which complements skills taught in the teaching of Maths in our school.
- ICT is widely used during the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages to motivate pupils and to support teachers with model pronunciation. The school also uses the internet and we are trying to make links in e-mailing.
- The teaching of Modern Foreign Languages links with other Foundation subjects:-
Geographical links can be made when considering the location of countries and comparisons can be made with them and our country.
Historical links can be made which help to form a basis of understanding of the heritage and culture of different countries.
PE lessons can be used to practise vocabulary and by using languages to play simple games.
Music – Children develop their language skills through songs and rhyme providing links with music. Cultural links can also be made through the teaching of Art and Design, Design and Technology and RE.
PSHE – The experience of learning a Modern Foreign Language can help develop children’s social skills by enabling them to communicate effectively with others. It promotes an understanding and respect for the way in which other cultures are different or the same as ours. This experience compliments the issues raised during the teaching of PSHE in our school. It develops the children’s awareness of multiculturalism, both in our country and in the world as a whole.
Inclusion
The school uses a variety of teaching methods and learning to develop all children’s knowledge, skills and understanding. This is done through a mixture of whole class teaching and individual activities. There are children of differing ability in all classes at St John’s so we provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this through a range of strategies. In some lessons this is through differentiated group work while in other lessons we ask children to work from the same starting point before moving on to develop their ideas. We also give children the opportunity to visit France every 2 years where they really get a feel for the culture, practise their language skills and have an opportunity to compare similarities and differences between France and England. A French Day takes place twice a year.
Assessment and Recording / Monitoring and Review
Teachers assess children’s work in Modern Foreign Languages based on a series of “I can” statements (the Language Ladder) and can be made as an integral part of teaching the lessons, through observation and questioning. This assessment will be used to support teaching learning and progression within classes.
Role of the Co-ordinator
- lead the development of Modern Foreign Languages in the school
- provide guidance to individual members of staff
- keep up to date with local and national developments in Modern Foreign Language
- teaching and disseminate relevant information
- review the position and use of Modern Foreign Language resources and regularly
- update staff on new resources, ideas, materials etc
- review and monitor the success and progress of the planned units of work be responsible for the organisation and maintenance of MFL resources
We monitor French through monitoring planning and coverage, pupil interviews and lesson observations.
Modern Foreign Language Policy Version 4 Spring 2015
