Modern and Ancient Foreign Languages
Intent
At Wrington Cof England Primary School we believe that learning a foreign language is a necessary part of being a member of a multi-cultural society and ignites an interest in learning about other cultures. Our aim is to build a high-quality languages education that fosters children’s curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world.
We provide children with stimulating and fun learning opportunities, which enable them to build their resilience and confidence to express their ideas and thoughts in French, and to embed the essential skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. We have chosen to use the Language Angels programme to underpin our French curriculum that is accessible to pupils and provides a clear progression through KS2.
We also recognise the value of learning Latin, which provides children with an understanding of how languages have developed and evolved over time. As many modern languages are derived from Latin, we believe that giving children an opportunity to learn Latin provides children with a deeper understanding of how language works, preparing them for future language learning and vocabulary acquisition. We use the Minimus Latin Scheme, and adapt the frequency and duration of the lessons to meet the needs of the cohort.
With a secure understanding of how languages have developed over time, an awareness of the origin of much of our language, and a progressive and high-quality programme, we believe that we will equip children at Wrington CofE Primary School with the skills and confidence to be active, engaged linguists in the wider world.
Implementation
All classes from Year 2-6 have a 30-45 minute weekly French lesson following the Language Angels scheme of work and resources. We have a half termly overview in place, which serves as an overall ‘teaching map’ outlining for all teachers within the school what each class will be taught and when it will be taught. Each class has 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 has clearly defined objectives and aims.
- Each lesson incorporates interactive whiteboard materials to include ample speaking and listening tasks within a lesson.
- Lessons incorporate challenge sections and differentiated activities.
- Reading and writing activities are offered in all units.
- Every unit includes 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.
Take Ten
In both KS1 and KS2 we also hold a weekly ‘Take Ten’ active singing session (Covid allowing), in which children are taught a song in French with body movements. The singing session enables the children to see and hear native French children singing a typical French song, building the cultural knowledge. The session also enables children to increase their level of physical activity, as well as providing the children with a fun and engaging experience.
Twinning
Wrington Church of England Primary School is twinned with the town of Villeuneuve-les- Beziers in France. As a school, we have made links with the primary school Ecole Primaire George Brassens, and we are continuing to build these connections through sending letters and videos.
Impact
As well as each subsequent lesson within a unit being progressive, the teaching type organisation of Language Angels units also directs, drives and guarantees progressive learning and challenge.
Units increase in level of challenge, stretch and linguistic and grammatical complexity as pupils move from Early Learning units through Intermediate units and into the most challenging Progressive units. Units in each subsequent level of the teaching type categories require more knowledge and application of skills than the previous teaching type. Activities contain progressively more text (both in English and French) and lessons will have more content as the children become more confident and ambitious with the foreign language they are learning.
Pupils will continuously build on their previous knowledge as they progress in their foreign language learning journey through the primary phase. Previous language will be recycled, revised, recalled and consolidated whenever possible and appropriate.
Pupils will be aware of their own learning goals and progression as each unit offers a pupil friendly overview so that all pupils can review their own learning at the start and at the end of each unit.
The opportunity to assess pupil learning and progression in the key language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) is provided at the end of each 6-week teaching unit. Pupils will also be offered self-assessment grids to ensure they are also aware of their own progress which they can keep as a record of their progress.
If pupils are not progressing in line with expectations, this will be identified in the End of Unit Skills Assessments provided in the Language Angels Tracking & Progression Tool. This will enable teachers to put in place an early intervention programme to address any areas that require attention in any of the language learning skills.
The subject leader monitors the effectiveness of the language teaching provided throughout the school to ensure the progress of knowledge and skills being taught.
