At St Willibrord’s, pupils in Key Stage 2 learn French. Our aim is to help pupils develop the confidence and knowledge they need to understand and communicate in another language.

Our Modern Languages curriculum is based principally on Kapow Primary and is organised so that pupils develop their speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary and grammatical knowledge progressively from Year 3 to Year 6.

Our Modern Languages curriculum

Through French, pupils develop their ability to:

• listen carefully and respond to spoken language;
• speak with increasing confidence and accuracy;
• develop clear pronunciation and intonation;
• read and understand words, phrases and increasingly complex sentences;
• write words, phrases and sentences for different purposes;
• develop an understanding of French grammar;
• build and apply an increasingly broad vocabulary;
• recognise similarities and differences between French and English;
• learn about French-speaking countries and cultures.

Regular opportunities to revisit vocabulary and structures help pupils retain previous learning and use it in new contexts.

Progression through the school

In Year 3, pupils begin with greetings and simple conversational language before developing their vocabulary through adjectives, numbers, classroom language, transport and the natural world.

In Year 4, pupils develop their ability to describe people and clothing, use numbers and dates, discuss weather, order and talk about food, and use French creatively through music.

In Year 5, pupils develop more complex vocabulary and sentence structures through topics including animals, space, shopping, the French-speaking world, verbs and family life.

In Year 6, pupils apply and extend their previous learning through sport, football, homes, holidays and towns. The final part of the year provides opportunities to consolidate key vocabulary, grammar and communication skills in preparation for the next stage of language learning.

Speaking and listening

Spoken language is an important part of French teaching.

Pupils are given regular opportunities to:

• listen to accurate French pronunciation;
• repeat and rehearse new vocabulary;
• ask and answer questions;
• take part in short conversations;
• respond to instructions;
• perform and present language orally.

As pupils progress through the school, they are expected to communicate with increasing independence and accuracy.

Reading and writing

Pupils develop their ability to read and write French alongside their spoken language.

They learn to:

• recognise familiar vocabulary in written form;
• read phrases and short texts;
• use context and language patterns to help identify meaning;
• construct increasingly complex sentences;
• write for different purposes using familiar vocabulary and grammatical structures;
• use reference materials to support independent language learning.

Vocabulary, phonics and grammar

Pupils are taught to notice patterns in French and understand how the language is structured.

Across Key Stage 2, they progressively develop their understanding of:

• pronunciation and French sound patterns;
• nouns and gender;
• articles;
• adjective position and agreement;
• verbs and verb forms;
• sentence structure;
• questions and responses;
• increasingly complex vocabulary and phrases.

Previously learned language is revisited so that pupils can use it more confidently and accurately over time.

Culture and the wider world

Learning French also gives pupils opportunities to develop their understanding of life beyond their immediate experience.

Pupils encounter aspects of French and French-speaking cultures, places and traditions and develop an awareness that French is spoken in many parts of the world.

Inclusion

Our Modern Languages curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. Teachers adapt explanations, resources, repetition, modelling and support where necessary so that pupils can participate successfully in speaking, listening, reading and writing activities.

Adaptations are made while maintaining pupils’ access to the important vocabulary, grammar and communication skills taught within the curriculum.

Our curriculum plans

Further information about the French units taught in each year group can be found within our Curriculum by Year Group plans.

If you would like further information about our Modern Languages curriculum, please contact the school.