Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Vision - If we are 'learning to live life in all its fullest'; Why do we teach what we teach in MFL?
By learning a foreign language, pupils increase their cultural awareness, improve their speaking and listening skills and reinforce grammatical terminology. We aim to deliver high-quality language teaching that fosters pupils’ curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world. We want to instill an understanding of other cultures that encourages pupils to appreciate and celebrate difference. We aim to engage pupils in lessons, providing motivation to find out for themselves what it’s like to live somewhere different and a desire to be able to communicate with others. We aim to link the grammatical knowledge from language lessons with English grammar lessons, reinforcing the shared vocabulary used.
Intent
MFL allows pupils to understand and respond to foreign spoken and written languages from a variety of sources. All KS2 pupils, including those disadvantaged and with SEND, will discover and develop an appreciation for the French language and culture with carefully planned creative lessons, focusing on engagement. The aim of each lesson is for pupils to achieve success and the belief that learning a language is achievable for them. Each lesson is carefully planned to build pupil’s knowledge and understanding of the 3 building blocks of language learning; phonics, vocabulary and grammar. Knowledge is rehearsed for short periods, over a longer period of time to enable vocabulary to be retained in long term memory. Introduction of new vocabulary is planned carefully and high frequency words and words that will be useful when visiting the country are prioritised. Recall is encouraged by planned for revisiting and by using the words, both orally and in written form, across topics. Familiarity between words within French, and links to English words will be explicitly pointed out by the teacher.
Implementation
French is taught throughout KS2. Lessons take place on a weekly basis with some classroom vocabulary used daily. Lessons are mainly drawn from the Catherine Cheater Scheme of work, but are adapted by class teachers. Pupils are taught a range of vocabulary through rhyme, songs, games and drama. Practical lessons are encouraged by the subject lead as engagement is a priority in our curriculum. Lessons encourage curiosity about and develop understanding of a different culture, broaden pupils horizons, as well as incrementally build knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar needed to converse. Lessons are supportive in nature and pupils and staff are supportive of each other when speaking or writing.
Impact
Pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, show excitement about the prospects of an MFL lesson. They show confidence in speaking in their chosen new language and are happy to talk about what they have learned. They are eager to have a go at speaking or writing, even if there is new vocabulary being covered. Pupils can talk about words that are similar to their counterpart in English and how things are different or the same in the country they are studying.
Broader Curriculum
Pupils develop a sense of fascination, enjoyment, creativity and imagination in their learning of a foreign language and are able to reflect on their work. They are taught about tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions enabling students to acquire an appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures. Pupils understand that in order to master a language they must practice and persevere in their studies. Links to English develop pupils’ knowledge of the importance of grammar in language learning and in the correct use of any language. MFL can be incorporated into PE lessons, as well as PSHE when pupils are learning about Food/Healthy Eating and well as Geography lessons when investigating where the language is spoken.
What does a good learner look like on leaving Kilby St Mary’s?
A good learner enjoys MFL, is enthusiastic and wants to continue their MFL learning into KS3. Pupils will experiment and take risks and are not afraid to make and learn from their mistakes. They are excited about communicating in a new language. They will try to understand language systems by looking for patterns and developing techniques to improve pronunciation and vocabulary. Pupils know that learning a language means learning about and appreciating other cultures.