Modern Foreign Languages (French) at St Michael’s CE Primary School

Intent

At St Michael’s, we strive to do our best and provide pupils with a rich and enjoyable introduction to Modern Foreign Languages. Through the teaching of French, we aim to:

• Instil a love of language learning and curiosity about other cultures and ways of life.

• Develop children’s confidence in using spoken and written French for real-life communication.

• Provide a strong foundation in language learning, enabling children to build skills for further language study in KS3 and beyond.

• Deepen children’s understanding of the English language by making comparisons with French vocabulary and grammar.

• Encourage pupils to become global citizens who can communicate across cultures with respect and confidence.

Our curriculum is designed to meet the aims of the National Curriculum and provides opportunities for:

• Enjoyment and enrichment through songs, games, and cultural exploration.

• The development of language learning strategies and grammatical understanding.

• Increasing fluency and spontaneity in speaking and listening.

• Responding to spoken and written French from a variety of sources.

• Beginning to write with growing confidence for different purposes and audiences.

• Appreciating different cultures and broadening pupils' horizons.

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Implementation

At St Michael’s, we teach French to all Key Stage 2 pupils through weekly lessons lasting 30–45 minutes. French is delivered by class teachers or PPA teachers using the Primary Language Network scheme of work.

The curriculum is structured around the key strands of:

• Listening and responding

• Speaking and pronunciation

• Reading and writing

• Grammar

• Intercultural understanding

Each lesson builds on prior knowledge, supports progression in language acquisition, and includes engaging, age-appropriate content. Songs, stories, rhymes, games and role-play bring the language to life and ensure learning is memorable and enjoyable.

Lessons are multi-sensory and active, supporting a range of learning styles. As pupils progress through KS2, reading and writing tasks increase in complexity, while spoken French remains a central focus. Children are encouraged to apply their learning in meaningful contexts, such as responding to the register in French, singing familiar songs, or revisiting previous vocabulary through short recap tasks.

The scheme ensures full National Curriculum coverage, providing a clear progression of knowledge and skills. Differentiation, group tasks, and scaffolding enable access for all learners, with an emphasis on building confidence and celebrating participation.

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Impact

The impact of our French curriculum is seen in the enthusiasm of pupils, their growing confidence in using another language, and the development of key communication skills.

We monitor progress through:

• Ongoing formative assessment during lessons

• End-of-unit and end-of-year assessments supported by the Primary Language Network assessment tools

• Teacher judgements based on clear criteria, recorded using Language Ladders

• Regular pupil voice and class discussions

• Annual reporting to parents on pupil progress and confidence in French

By the end of Year 6, our pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their language journey. They leave with a solid foundation in French, an appreciation of other cultures, and a positive attitude toward language learning—skills that will support them in KS3 and throughout life.