MFL at Bournmoor Primary School
The national curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils
- Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
- Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
- Can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
- Discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.
Planning and organisation of the subject
Our French lessons have a focus on instructional teaching, learning time, interactive oral work and written activities with both the whole class and smaller groups. We use the materials provided in the online French scheme on the Twinkl website across Key Stage Two. Using the online scheme and support from the MFL subject lead the class teacher plans, delivers and organises a weekly lesson and differentiates according to ability. Lessons are planned using the National Curriculum in Key Stage Two (the teaching of MFL is not required in Key Stage One and Reception). A structured progression of vocabulary is used throughout Key Stage Two to ensure the continuing and gradual development of French words and phrases.
Teaching styles and strategies
Children are encouraged to use and apply their French vocabulary knowledge both orally and in written form to develop fluency and understanding. Children make connections between the French vocabulary they are learning and concrete materials and images associated with the vocabulary. Children have opportunities to practise the key skills whilst building the understanding and knowledge to apply them.
How the subject is assessed
Foundation Stage and Key Stage One
Modern Foreign Languages are not taught in Key Stage One but children learn about other cultures and countries through their curriculum work and theme days.
Key Stage Two
Assessment of pupils is an on-going activity. Children’s knowledge and understanding is informally assessed in class through observation during lessons, group oral question and answer sessions and in marking written work. There is no formal assessment of MFL at the end of Key Stage Two.
Impact
- French is being taught in every KS2 class from Y3-6. The use of the Twinkl scheme gives a clear progression of skills and knowledge. It provides staff with sound files, oral activities and written tasks.
- Children are engaged in lessons and enjoy learning a different language.
- Children have a grounding ready for transition to secondary.
- The co-ordinator can attend MFL network cluster meetings to gain up to date knowledge and information regarding the teaching, learning and assessment of MFL.
- The subject leader is able to measure the effectiveness of teaching and learning in MFL and develop their subject through training, research and external links.
- The subject leader shares the intent, implementation and impact of their subjects with stakeholders, including governors.
- Simple French dictionaries and reading materials are used to support the learning.
- Each child’s French book can move with them through KS2 to help them retain prior learning and for progression to be seen by teachers and the co-ordinator. The books have a vocabulary sheet that the children can add to throughout the year.
