Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Overview

Modern Foreign Languages Intent and Implementation

At Cardinal Newman, we greatly value the importance of early language learning and believe all children should be given the opportunity to understand cultures and customs, other than their own.

Our pupils have weekly French lessons from Year 3-6. We follow the Language Angels programme. Lessons incorporate the three pillars of language:

Phonics, Vocabulary and Grammar.

Programmes include termly phonics sessions with explicit teaching of phonemes which are revisited throughout our four year programme through lessons, songs and interactive games in order to support accurate pronunciation.

We endeavour to build confidence when speaking French from basic vocabulary in Year 3 to longer phrases and simple sentences by the end of Key Stage 2. Year 6 pupils are given the opportunity to participate on the annual trip to Normandy and use their French in real life situations.

Grammar is weaved into every unit and is introduced both implicitly and explicitly. Grammar teaching is progressive and is revisited regularly throughout the programme.

Pupils are given opportunities to read texts / familiar tales of increasing length in French and record their learning in written form. Over the four years pupils are taught to construct more complex sentences and create more detailed responses in French.

In addition to in class MFL lessons, pupils have the opportunity to attend extra-curricular clubs in French, Spanish and Italian.

Our aims at Cardinal Newman are to:

- Foster an interest in language learning by introducing children to other languages in a way that is enjoyable and accessible to all pupils.

- Develop an ability to communicate in everyday situations through speaking, listening, reading and writing.

- Stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity of language through a progressive introduction of the three pillars of language: phonics, vocabulary and grammar

- Encourage children to gain an understanding of the differences in language structures.

- Help children develop their awareness of cultural similarities and differences.