“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head.  If you talk to a man in his language that goes to his heart.”  Nelson Mandela

INTENT

The intent of our approach to modern foreign languages at Milton on Stour Primary is that it should inspire children to develop an interest in other cultures, be exposed to a range of foreign languages and to explore and develop the French language at a deeper level. 

Our aim is that:

• the learning of a language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils
• it helps them to develop communication skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with the aim of making substantial progress in one language
• children’s knowledge of how language works will be developed to lay the foundations for further language learning in future
• learning another language will give children a new and broader perspective on the world.

We have chosen to focus on French as we know that it is the main language studied at our feeder secondary school and we know that many of our families visit France for holidays. 

This approach supports our whole school intent, particularly the golden threads of building confidence in oracy and developing character skills.  Our hope is that children will develop a love of foreign languages in their journey as outward looking, life-long learners and that it will widen their understanding of ‘the good shepherd’ to embrace other countries and cultures.

Milton On Stour CE  uses the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to ensure we offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. All pupils will be expected to achieve their full potential by encouraging high expectations and excellent standards in their foreign language learning - the ultimate aim being that pupils will feel willing and able to continue studying languages beyond key stage 2.

The Implementation of our MFL curriculum

 

All classes will have access to a very high-quality foreign languages curriculum using the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in foreign languages through regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons in KS2.

 

Children will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes - building blocks of language into more complex, fluent and authentic language.

Early Language units are entry level units and are most appropriate for KS1 and Year 3 pupils or pupils with little or no previous foreign language learning. Intermediate units increase the level of challenge by increasing the amount and complexity (including foreign language grammar concepts) of the foreign language presented to pupils. Progressive and Creative Curriculum units are the most challenging units and are suitable for older pupils or pupils with a good understanding of the basics of the language they are learning. Children will be taught how to listen and read longer pieces of text gradually in the foreign language and they will have ample opportunities to speak, listen to, read and write the language being taught with and without scaffolds, frames and varying levels of support.

Units, where possible and appropriate, will be linked to class topics and cross curricular themes. Children will build on previous knowledge gradually as their foreign language lessons continue to recycle, revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Knowledge and awareness of required and appropriate grammar concepts will be taught throughout all units at all levels of challenge.

The Impact of our MFL Curriculum

 

Early Learning units will start at basic noun and article level and will teach pupils how to formulate short phrases. By the time pupils reach Progressive units they will be exposed to much longer text and will be encouraged to formulate their own, more personalised responses based on a much wider bank of vocabulary, linguistic structures and grammatical knowledge. They will be able to create longer pieces of spoken and written language and are encouraged to use a variety of conjunctions, adverbs, adjectives, opinions and justifications.

 

Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language learning journey through the primary phase. Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.

 

Teachers are confident to teach MFL as the resources are organised for them, spoken language is modelled and the unit overview is clear and concise so teachers are confident with the knowledge that needs to be taught in each unit and progressively over the year.

Children are expected to make good or better than good progress in their foreign language learning and their individual progress is tracked.

If pupils are not progressing in line with expectations, this will be identified by the class teacher. This will enable teachers to put in place an early intervention programme to address any areas that require attention in any of the language learning skills.
Children will become more aware of other cultures and celebrate and welcome differences in our world.