French
Implementation
All classes will have access to a very high-quality foreign languages curriculum using the Language Angels
scheme of work and resources. This will progressively develop pupil skills in foreign languages through
regularly taught and well-planned weekly lessons in Key Stage 2 which will be taught by class teachers.
Children will progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, language skills and
grammatical knowledge organised around age-appropriate topics and themes – from building blocks of
language into more complex, fluent and authentic language.
All teachers will know where every child is at any point in their foreign language learning journey. Lessons
offering appropriate levels of challenge and stretch will be taught at all times to ensure pupils learn
effectively, continuously building their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the language(s) they are
learning.
Curriculum Planning
The school has a unit planner in place which will serve as an overall ‘teaching map’ outlining for all
teachers within the school what each class in each year group will be taught and when it will be taught.
Each class in each year group will have an overview of units to be taught during the academic year to
ensure substantial progress and learning is achieved. Each teaching unit is divided into 6 fully planned
lessons.
Each unit and lesson will have clearly defined objectives and aims.
Each lesson will incorporate interactive whiteboard materials to include ample speaking and
listening tasks within a lesson.
Lessons will incorporate challenge sections and desk-based activities that will be offered will
three levels of stretch and differentiation.
Reading and writing activities will be offered in all units. Some extended reading and writing
activities are provided so that native speakers can also be catered for.
Every unit will include a grammar concept which will increase in complexity as pupils move from
Early Language units, through Intermediate units and into Progressive units.
Extending writing activities are provided to ensure that pupils are recalling previously learnt
language and, by reusing it, will be able to recall it and use it with greater ease and accuracy.
These tasks will help to link units together and show that pupils are retaining and recalling the
language taught with increased fluency and ease.
Unit Types
Language Angels are categorised by ‘Teaching Type’ to make it easier for teachers to teach units that will
offer the appropriate level of challenge and stretch for the classes they are teaching. Early Language units
are entry level units, which are mostly appropriate for children in Lower Key Stage 2, with little or no
previous foreign language learning. Intermediate units increase the level of challenge by increasing the
amount and complexity (including foreign language grammar concepts) of the foreign language
presented to pupils. These are included in both Lower and Upper Key Stage 2, when pupils have
embedded basic knowledge of the foreign language. Progressive units are the most challenging units and
are included for Upper Key Stage 2 pupils, who have a good understanding of the basics of the language
they are learning.
Grouping units into these Teaching Type categories ensures that the language taught is appropriate to
the level of the class and introduced when the children are ready. Children will be taught how to listen to
and read longer pieces of text gradually in the foreign language. They will have ample opportunities to
speak, listen to, read and write the language being taught with and without scaffolds, frames and varying
levels of support.
Progression
Children will build on previous knowledge gradually as their foreign language lessons continue to recycle,
revise and consolidate previously learnt language whilst building on all four language skills: listening,
speaking, reading and writing. Knowledge and awareness of required and appropriate grammar concepts
will be taught throughout all units at all levels of challenge. Teachers are provided with a Progression
Map and Grammar Grid to ensure all children are progressing their foreign language learning skills and
are taught the appropriate grammar at the right time in their foreign language learning journey.
Grammar is integrated and taught discretely throughout all appropriate units. Grammar rules and
patterns will be taught by level of challenge:
We start with nouns and articles and 1st person singular of high frequency verbs in Early Learning units.
We move on to the use of the possessive, the concept of adjectives, use of the negative form,
conjunctions/connectives and introduce the concept of whole regular verb conjugation in Intermediate
units.
We end with opinions and introduce the concept of whole high frequency irregular verb conjugation in
Progressive units.
The Progression Map shows precisely how pupil foreign language learning across the key skills of
speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar progresses within each Language Angels ‘Teaching
Type’ and also how the level of learning and progression of each pupil is increased as pupils move across
each subsequently more challenging Language Angels ‘Teaching Type’. It is a visual demonstration of the
progression that takes place WITHIN a ‘Teaching Type’ and also ACROSS each ‘Teaching Type’.
Units are progressive within themselves as subsequent lessons within a unit build on the language and
knowledge taught in previous lessons. As pupils progress though the lessons in a unit they will build their
knowledge and develop the complexity of the language they use. We think of the progression within the
6 lessons in a unit as ‘language Lego’. We provide blocks of language knowledge and, over the course of a
6-week unit, encourage pupils to build more complex and sophisticated language structures with their
blocks of language knowledge.
Assessment
Pupil learning and progression will be assessed at regular intervals in line with school policy. Teachers will
aim to assess each language skill (speaking, listening, reading and writing) twice throughout each
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scholastic year to be able to provide reference points against which learning and progression in each skill
can be demonstrated.
Enrichment
In addition to following the lessons provided in the Language Angels scheme of work and resources, we
try to build in opportunities for the enrichment activities, including:
- Assemblies celebrating different cultures and languages
- European Day of Languages
- Visitors from different countries and cultures
- Celebrating languages used in our school community, including BSL
Children at our schools learn French throughout Key Stage 2. We use the Language Angels scheme of
work, which ensures that children are exposed to regular, engaging lessons which develop an
interest in, and an enthusiasm for, language learning.
Children are exposed to and taught the four key language learning skills (speaking, listening, reading
and writing), with an emphasis on being able to communicate in the target language. All necessary
grammar will also be covered in an age-appropriate way, enabling pupils to use and apply their
learning in a variety of contexts. Children produce both spoken and written outcomes.
Independence is developed through a bank of reference materials that they can refer to throughout
their language learning journey.
Learning is carefully sequenced and progressive across Key Stage 2. Throughout the topics that
children are exposed to, they have opportunities to revisit and consolidate prior learning. Their
language knowledge will progress within each academic year and will be extended year upon year
throughout Key Stage 2.
High expectations ensure that all children achieve their full potential. Children are encouraged to use
language in a meaningful way; they therefore develop their resilience and perseverance because
they are willing to take risks and make mistakes. The ultimate aim is for pupils to be motivated to
continue studying languages beyond Key Stage 2, and to become lifelong language learners.
Alongside communication skills in the target language, children also develop a genuine interest in,
and curiosity about, foreign languages. Children have the chance to develop a deeper understanding
of, and respect for, other cultures and of the world around them. They understand and respect
similarities and differences between different cultures, people around the world and people in our
local area. We use any opportunity to learn about other languages, and to celebrate the languages
that are spoken in our school community.