MFL French at Ravenswood
At Ravenswood, we believe teaching another language through lots of practical activities helps to break down any barriers to success. We want children to have a ‘can do’ attitude, develop their confidence and be enthusiastic about learning a new language. We want them to have fun through games, songs and stories to develop vocabulary acquisition, speaking and listening, reading and writing.
The skills, knowledge and understanding gained through learning a language contribute to the development of children’s oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own culture and those of others. Children exposed to a foreign language in their primary years will become more confident and able to transfer the learning to other languages.
In Key Stage 2, French is taught North Tyneside scheme of work. This covers all elements of the National Curriculum and provides clear progression for children in their development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. A variety of resources in the scheme support teaching and learning opportunities, however, teachers are free to adapt these and use their own expertise.
A variety of techniques are used in lessons to encourage children to have an active engagement with French such as:
- Games – in order to develop vocabulary through repetition, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
- Action songs and rhymes – to develop phonetic skills, memory skills and to further vocabulary.
- Role-play
- Reading and writing- e.g. flashcards, letters, email, menus,
Children are prepared for KS3 in the next stage of their language journey to enable them to transfer confidently and successfully their language skills. They learn that a language has a structure and that the structure sometimes differs to other languages. Children will develop their language and communication through the development of the four key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing and enrich their language learning by developing an understanding of some aspects of French culture.
Children have further opportunities to develop their understanding and ability in French through:
- French Café afternoon in Year 6
- Singing French songs in assemblies
- Making a photostory/iMovie in ICT
- Learning about France as a country in Y4 Geography