Intent
At Trinity Road Primary School, we aim to foster a love for languages and to equip pupils with the skills necessary to communicate effectively in French. Our French curriculum, underpinned by Language Angels, aims to introduce pupils to the rich cultural tapestry of French-speaking countries, encouraging respect and appreciation for diversity in languages and traditions. It enables children to speak, listen, read, and write in French through meaningful and authentic contexts, cultivating confidence in their linguistic ability.
Implementation
We have implemented a structured and engaging French curriculum that embodies best practices and aligns with Ofsted’s inspection framework, underpinned by Language Angels. Our curriculum is sequenced to build upon prior knowledge systematically, employing varied instructional approaches, including interactive games, songs, stories, and cultural artefacts, engaging pupils in dynamic learning experiences.
In Years 3 and 4, children learn essential French vocabulary to introduce themselves and their family members. Children learn to read, write and speak in simple sentences. These include short conversations, asking for things and describing objects using colours. Children are taught to translate and follow verbal instructions using key vocabulary, cognates and actions.
In Years 5 and 6, children consolidate their prior learning during the Autumn Term before moving onto writing and speaking in longer sentences with more detail. Children continue to develop their translation skills of longer and more demanding texts, through the use of questioning, continuing to develop their understanding of key vocabulary and cognates.
Impact
The impact of our French curriculum is evident in the progress and achievements of our pupils. Through regular monitoring, assessment and evaluation, we ensure that every child makes excellent progress from their individual starting points.
Pupils exhibit a deeper understanding of and respect for different cultures, often demonstrating awareness of cultural nuances and traditions in the French-speaking world during discussions. The skills acquired through our French curriculum effectively prepares pupils for continued language learning in secondary school.