Subject Overview

At Saltergate Schools we focus on French as our Modern Foreign Language. We aim for children to be confident speakers who develop a passion for languages. Our learning concentrates on spoken language in EYFS and Key Stage One, then progresses to include written language in Key Stage Two. We want our children to be able to understand and communicate ideas, facts and feelings and develop their cultural understanding.

EYFS

In EYFS children are introduced to simple words and phrases, numbers up to 5 and some colours. They learn to listen attentively and explore the patterns and sounds of language through singing songs, listening to stories and playing games.

KS1

In Key Stage One children engage in conversations and learn how to listen attentively to spoken French and show understanding by joining in and responding.  Children learn how to greet others using simple words and phrases. In addition, children learn colours, useful weather phrases, days of the week and how to count up to 20. We enjoy learning French through singing songs, listening to stories and playing games. Through our language learning we also develop our understanding of another culture.

KS2

In Key Stage Two the focus of our teaching is to enable pupils to make substantial progress in one language, therefore laying the foundations for future foreign languages teaching in Key Stage Three.

In Key Stage Two, the children develop their confidence in engaging in conversations on a range of topics, for example the weather, months of the year, food and drink, where we live, numbers to 100, places in a town, school subjects and giving detailed opinions. We ensure that our French lessons provide opportunities to develop cross-curricular links with our topic work in other subjects, for example, biomes and the Battle of Britain in year 6; space and the Vikings in year 5; Romans and Anglo-Saxons in year 4 and plants and Egypt in year 3.

This curriculum ensures that children are given the opportunity to explore patterns and sounds of language, engage in conversations, listen attentively, read carefully and show their understanding of words and phrases through their writing.  They will broaden their vocabulary, understand basic grammar and further develop their understanding of other cultures.