French
French Curriculum
Intent
Our French curriculum aims to foster children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the French-speaking world. Sequenced learning opportunities enable children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. Additionally, children build their confidence when communicating, thus developing their interpersonal skills and respecting each others’ cultural differences. In doing so, the children recognise that despite linguistic differences, we are all a part of God’s family, and that language should not be a barrier between us.
The French curriculum offers a carefully planned sequence of lessons, ensuring progressive coverage of the skills required by the national curriculum. Our chosen themes – Time Travelling, Let’s Visit a French Town and This Is France – provide an introduction to the culture of French-speaking countries and communities. It aims to foster children’s curiosity and help deepen their understanding of the world. At the heart of curriculum is the desire to expose children to authentic French, so the scheme offers regular opportunities to listen to native speakers.
In Lower KS2, children acquire basic skills and understanding of French with a strong emphasis placed on developing their Speaking and Listening skills. These will be embedded and further developed in Upper KS2, alongside Reading and Writing, gradually progressing onto more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy.
Learning throughout KS2 progresses through the following topics:
| Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Autumn 1 | Getting to Know You | All Around Town | Getting to Know You | Visiting a French Town |
| Autumn 2 | All About Me | On the Move | All About Ourselves | Let’s Go Shopping |
| Spring 1 | Food Glorious Food | Gone Shopping | That’s Tasty | |
| Spring 2 | Family and Friends | Where in the World? | Family and Friends | |
| Summer 1 | Our School | What’s the Time? | School Life | This is France |
| Summer 2 | Time | Holidays and Hobbies | Time Travelling | All in a Day |
Through our French scheme, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of languages and to expand their horizons to other countries, cultures and people. We aim to help children grow into curious, confident and reflective language learners and to provide them with a foundation that will equip them for further language studies.
Implementation
Lessons are sequenced so that prior learning is considered and opportunities for revision of language and grammar are built in.
Lessons help children to build on prior knowledge alongside the introduction of new skills whilst offering an insight into the culture of French-speaking countries and communities. The introduction and revision of key vocabulary and grammatical structures is built into each lesson.
Impact
Our French curriculum will enable all pupils to develop key language learning skills set out by the national curriculum, as well as a love of languages and learning about other cultures, therefore encouraging them to embark on further language studies.