Our vision for MFL at Woodlea

At Woodlea, we want all children to leave us at the end of KS2 with a solid foundation of linguistic skills which can be applied at KS3 and beyond as well as a love of language learning and a thirst for cultural knowledge.

Intent

At Woodlea we believe that learning a language opens the door to huge potential. It is a necessary part of being a member of the multicultural society in which we live. We believe that many children really enjoy learning to speak another language. Learning a foreign language helps pupils to extend their communication skills and enhances self‐esteem. When our children leave Woodlea at the end of KS2 we aim to have instilled a love of language learning in all of our children and provided them with a good skill set to continue their language learning at KS3 and beyond.

Implementation

For French at Woodlea, we use the 'Rigolo' scheme of work. This helps us to ensure that children are immersed in the target language and have opportunity to practice their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. We are committed to early language learning and believe that the earlier a child is exposed to a foreign language, the faster and more effectively the language in question is acquired. We believe that learning a foreign language helps all pupils develop their interests and curiosity in the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

From Year 3 through to Year 6 the 'Rigolo' scheme of work is used and we follow 'la famille Mils' who are an English family living in France! This resource is supplemented with high quality games, stories and songs to support our French learning. In addition to this, each half term children have one lesson based on Intercultural Understanding where they learn about an aspect of French culture and one story based lesson. Our story based lessons aim to promote a love of reading and give children a wider exposure to the French language. Woodlea's programme of study is in line with the requirements of the Primary Languages Curriculum. Following the Rigolo programme, our children study six units in each year group; twenty four in total over their four years at Woodlea. Each unit and each new year aims to build on the knowledge from the previous. The units include learning about countries, cultures, peoples and communities.

In addition, we look for opportunities for the children to practice their French speaking skills outside of their French lessons. All classes complete their register and give their lunch choices in French too. We are also adding in a variety of classroom instructions in French. 

Impact

French has a strong presence at Woodlea, with our children using the target language not just in their lessons, but outside of the lessons too at every opportunity. Children enjoy learning French at Woodlea and their confidence with language learning is clearly evident in their work. 

European Day of Languages is an annual celebration at Woodlea. 
 

This year we celebrated a love of language learning with a wide variety of activities. 
 

Across the school we became language detectives, did language quizzes, learnt to say hello in various languages, created language trees, did language orienteering and even learnt some idioms in different languages!

French games for you to play at home

http://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/French 

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2french.html

http://www.hello-world.com/games/children.php/?language=French

FRENCH

The Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages (DFES 2005)

 " Learning a language enriches the curriculum.  It provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children and teachers, helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life.  The natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enhance the overall teaching and learning experience.  The skills, knowledge and understanding gained can make a major contribution to the development of children's oracy and literacy and to their understanding of their own culture/s and those of others."