MFL French

At Aston St Mary’s Primary School we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils.  It helps them to develop their ability to communicate, including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of how language works. It provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others.  The natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enrich the overall teaching and learning experience.

All Key Stage 2 pupils are entitled to foreign language learning in school time. At Aston St. Mary’s we provide MfL learning for all children in Years 3 – 6.  The focus language taught in our school is French which is planned following the broad guidelines set out in the National Curriculum. We use the Language Angels materials for planning and delivery of lessons. Language Angels units are taught to Years 3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6 on a 2-year cycle. This enables cross-curricular links to be made wherever possible. Core units are taught across Key Stage 2. Early units form the basis of most of the teaching in Years 3 and 4 as well as some Intermediate units. Years 5 and 6 study some Intermediate units during the autumn term before moving on to Progressive units. This ensures that there is continuity and progression in both skills and content across all classes. 

By the end of Key Stage 2, our children are able to: initiate and sustain simple conversations; understand the main points in spoken language; read aloud with some expression and accurate pronunciation; write short paragraphs (using word banks if appropriate) and have a developing understanding of grammar.