At St. Andrew’s, we believe that learning a foreign language has many benefits to our pupils.
It helps us to communicate effectively with others in both speech and writing, enables us to read text in another language and supports the development of pupils as global citizens.
We use a programme called Language Angels, which provides a clear, step-by-step approach to language learning, which is both engaging and progressive. This programme commences in Year 3.
Our Aims
Through our teaching, we intend to:
- foster positive attitudes and enjoyment towards learning
- stimulate curiosity about language
- develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills
- develop awareness of language structures, recognising similarities and differences between them and our mother tongue
- give an insight into the culture and civilisation of France
- inspire children and increase cultural capital
As children leave our school, we expect them to be able to express their ideas and thoughts in French, both orally and in writing and to have developed an international outlook of the world and their place within it.
Implementation
Planning for languages in Key Stage 2 is based on the knowledge, coverage and skills progression as set out in the Primary National Curriculum. Children are taught through phonics lessons and through contexts, which are carefully chosen to meet the needs of the children. These units of work develop knowledge and understanding progressively, building on previous skills and are often carefully linked to other subject areas such as Geography and History.
In addition to the language skills being taught, we aim to provide opportunities for children to learn about other countries, culture and use their skills across the curriculum. We want the children to build their cultural capital throughout their time in school. We use opportunities in our humanities and RE subjects to develop the global dimension across the curriculum, involving governors, staff as well as pupils to ensure learning is both interesting and relevant to our community.
Assessment
Children’s progress towards key objectives will be assessed regularly in order to inform and adapt future planning to meet the needs of our children, appropriately. Assessments are undertaken at the end of each unit and involve answering key questions to assess skills individually. Using the tracking grid, we are able to establish progress made and identify any gaps in learning. At the end of the year, pupils will be assessed as either meeting or not meeting or working towards national expectations. In exceptional circumstances, they may be recorded as exceeding them.