Modern Foreign Language

Intention (Why do we teach what we teach?)

Our aim at Stoke St Michael Primary School is to enable pupils to enjoy enrichment experiences, develop rich vocabulary and to respect diversity and individuality. The teaching of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) is an important part of this. We aim to inspire curiosity and a love of languages that pupils will strengthen and develop as they progress through our school. Pupils should be able to extend their knowledge of how language works and explore the differences between how the French and English languages are structured.

Implementation (How do we teach it?)

The focus language at our school is French. Our MFL curriculum has been designed to cover all of the objectives as set out in the National Curriculum in relation to the French language. The curriculum has been planned and sequenced as a progression of units using the ‘Corner Stones’ schemes of work. These units introduce new vocabulary to pupils, allowing them the opportunity to apply, consolidate and build on this as each unit progresses. Through the ‘Cornerstones’ scheme, pupils are initially taught the ‘core’ vocabulary to ensure that they have a secure understanding of basic words and phrases. This knowledge base is then extended, allowing pupils to expand their recognition of French vocabulary, subsequently leading them to apply this to conversations and written tasks. At Stoke St Michael, our linguists are taught to read, write, listen to and speak parts of the French language. Opportunities for pupils to read and listen to the language being spoken are built into each lesson, allowing them the opportunity to analyse the vocabulary and practice applying it confidently themselves. Our linguists are also given the opportunity to record and verbalise their knowledge and understanding; this is also a key component in each lesson.

Impact (What has been the impact and how do we know?)

MFL assessment is ongoing throughout each module to inform future planning, lesson activities and differentiation. Summative assessment is completed at the end of each module when each MFL objective has been covered; an objective tracker is used to inform leaders of school improvements or skills that need to be further enhanced. Pupil voice is also used to enable leaders to assess the impact of the MFL curriculum and whether pupils know more and remember more examples of French vocabulary.