At Dunton Junior School, our intention for teaching French is to foster a genuine interest in languages as a means of communication and cultural connection. We aim to instil a love for learning languages and to help our pupils develop a range of transferable skills which will serve them well in not only their future education but their life experiences. We were impressed with the standards, curriculum, and teaching style provided by the scheme ‘Primary Languages Network’ and have chosen to follow this to best support our students.

Intent

Our MFL curriculum is designed to:

Promote cultural awareness: We aim to foster respect and understanding of diversity by introducing our pupils to French-speaking cultures.

Develop Linguistic Skills: Pupils abilities to communicate in French will enhance through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Our objective is to empower our students to express their thoughts and ideas confidently.

Encourage Cognitive Development: Learning a foreign language supports cognitive development and enhances problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking.

Implementation

The delivery of the MFL curriculum at our school is structured, engaging and inclusive. We implement the following best practices:

Curriculum Structure: We follow a well-structured framework aligned with the National Curriculum ensuring progression and continuity in learning. Our topics are carefully selected to encompass themes such as greetings, family, food and cultural festivals making the content relatable and relevant for our students.

Interactive and Engaging Methods: We utilise innovative teaching strategies including games, songs and role-plays as well as multimedia resources to enhance engagement and understanding.

Inclusivity and Differentiation: Lessons are planned to cater to the diverse needs of our pupils, ensuring all learners, regardless of ability or attainment, are challenged and supported. We provide additional resources and personalised support for those who may struggle with language acquisition.

Cultural Events: We organise various French themed activities so pupils can experience French culture and language first hand through food, music and art. This gives the children an appreciation of the language in context.

Impact

The effectiveness of our MFL curriculum can be demonstrated through measurable outcomes and qualitative feedback:

Pupil Progess: A significant proportion of pupils demonstrate good progress in their understanding and application of the French language, evidenced through assessments and continuous monitoring.

Cultural Engagement: Pupils exhibit heightened interest in French culture as demonstrated by their participation in cultural events and projects.

Confident Communicators: Pupils are able to use their language skills in practical contexts such as during exchanges or performance showing confidence and growing fluency in their spoken French. They are willing to engage in conversations showcasing their pronunciation and vocabulary acquisition.

In conclusion, our intent, implementation and impact strategies for the MFL curriculum at Dunton Junior School are robust and designed to meet the highest standards. We continually strive to enhance our provision ensuring that every pupil has the opportunity to succeed in learning French, thereby equipping them for life in a globalised society.