MFL Curriculum Statement

MFL Intent

The intention of the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum within the White Peak Federation is that children are taught to develop an interest in learning other languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating.  We intend to use the Language Angels scheme of work and resources to offer a relevant, broad, vibrant and ambitious foreign languages curriculum that will inspire and excite our pupils using a wide variety of topics and themes. We aim to encourage children’s confidence and creative skills through the teaching of French. Whatever the language taught, we strive to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about all languages. In the current climate, many language are spoken within the UK and so it is vital that we help children develop their awareness of cultural differences. We aim to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning.

The intent is that all pupils will develop a genuine interest and positive curiosity about foreign languages, finding them enjoyable and stimulating.  Learning French will also offer pupils the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences.  The intention is that they will be working towards becoming life-long language learners.

MFL Implementation

• Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children’s skills in languages, through weekly taught lessons in KS2.
• Teachers deliver MFL lesson supported by planning by the Language Angels Scheme. 
• Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics.
• Children are encouraged and supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversational work, singing activities and games.
• As confidence and skill grows, children record their work through a range of tailored activities to ensure that all children can access the MFL curriculum that is outlined in the National Curriculum.
• Units are progressive within themselves as subsequent lessons within a unit build on the language and knowledge taught in previous lessons.  As pupils progress through the lessons in a unit they will build their knowledge and develop the complexity of the language they use.
• In addition to implementing the Language Angels scheme of work and resources, The schools within the White Peak Federation will also promote:  French breakfasts, cookery sessions of traditional foods from France to facilitate a whole school approach to foreign language learning along with improved cultural awareness.

MFL Impact

The learning of French has only just begun within the White Peak Federation and so will take time to embed. Through the use of planning supported by the Language Angels scheme we aim to ensure that eventually children are accessing work at age related expectations. They will be able to recognise and apply key vocabulary within conversations and will be challenged in a range of speaking and listening, reading and writing activities.

Early Learning units will start at basic noun and article level and will teach pupils how to formulate short phrases.  By the time pupils reach Progressive units they will be exposed to much longer text and will be encouraged to formulate their own, more personalised responses based on a much wider bank of vocabulary, linguistic structures and grammatical knowledge.  Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language journey through the primary phase.  Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.