French

Curriculum Intent

At Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School, our French curriculum aims to inspire and excite pupils, offering a relevant, broad, and ambitious foreign language education. Our approach is built on three core concepts:

• Communicating in French: Developing pupils' ability to listen, speak, read, and write in French with increasing confidence and fluency.
• Understanding French Grammar: Building a solid foundation in French grammar, enabling pupils to construct and manipulate language effectively.
• Discovering Culture: Exploring French customs and culture, fostering curiosity and respect for different ways of life.

Through these core concepts, we strive to:

• Deliver Quality Learning: Our curriculum ensures a comprehensive and progressive approach to French education. We aim to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to use and apply their learning in various contexts, laying solid foundations for future language learning and supporting overall attainment in other subject areas.
• Inspire Enthusiasm: We encourage curiosity and a positive attitude towards language learning. Our goal is to ignite a passion for French that extends beyond the classroom, fostering a desire to become life-long language learners.
• Foster Partnerships: We recognize the importance of cultural understanding in language learning. Our curriculum emphasizes the exploration of relationships between language and identity, developing a deeper understanding of other cultures and the world around them.

We aim to provide quality French education that enthuses pupils about language learning and fosters partnerships within and beyond the school community. We aim to develop pupils who can communicate effectively in French, understand its grammatical structures, and appreciate the rich culture of French-speaking countries.

Implementation

Our implementation strategy focuses on delivering a comprehensive, engaging French education that builds knowledge and skills progressively:

• Curriculum Structure: French is taught weekly throughout Key Stage 2 using the Kapow scheme of work which is carefully sequenced to build on previous learning, progressing from basic vocabulary and phrases to more complex language structures and cultural understanding.
• Communicating in French Focus: Throughout the curriculum, pupils engage in activities that develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We use a variety of resources, including authentic materials, to provide a rich language learning experience.
• Understanding French Grammar: Grammar is introduced gradually and in context, appropriate to the age and stage of the learners. We ensure that pupils understand how the language works, enabling them to create their own accurate and personalized responses to complex authentic French questions by the end of the primary phase.
• Discovering Culture: We incorporate cultural elements into our language lessons, including exploring French cuisine, traditional customs, landmarks, and daily life in French-speaking countries. This approach helps pupils understand the context in which the language is used and fosters cultural appreciation.
• Assessment and Progression: Teachers track pupil progress using a comprehensive tool, allowing for targeted support and challenge where needed.
• Cross-Curricular Links: Where appropriate, we make connections between French and other subjects, particularly Geography and History, to provide a holistic learning experience.

Key Resources

National Curriculum Languages

Kapow Long Term Plan

Kapow Skills & Progression Document

Our approach is delivered through a well-structured, progressive curriculum; encourages enthusiasm through engaging, interactive learning experiences; and explores French-speaking cultures and making connections with our own.

Impact

The impact of our French curriculum is evident in the following outcomes:

• Language Proficiency: Pupils demonstrate increasing confidence and competence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French. They can engage in simple conversations, understand basic texts, and express themselves in writing at an age-appropriate level.
• Grammatical Understanding: Students show a solid grasp of French grammar, appropriate to their age and level. They can apply grammatical rules to construct their own sentences and manipulate language for different purposes.
• Cultural Awareness: Pupils exhibit an informed and respectful attitude towards French-speaking cultures. They can discuss similarities and differences between their own culture and those of French-speaking countries.
• Enthusiasm for Language Learning: Students show a genuine interest in French and a positive attitude towards learning languages in general. They are keen to use their French skills and show curiosity about further language learning.
• Preparation for the Future: Our pupils are well-prepared for language learning at secondary school, with a solid foundation in French that will serve them in their future studies and potentially in their careers.
• Cognitive Benefits: Through language learning, pupils demonstrate improved memory, problem-solving skills, and cognitive flexibility, which positively impact their performance across the curriculum.
• Global Citizenship: Students show an increased awareness of the wider world and their place in it, demonstrating the beginnings of international-mindedness.

We assess these impacts through regular observations of learning, review of pupils' work, and discussions with pupils about their learning journey in French. The way pupils engage in language activities, respond to cultural discussions, and apply their language skills provides tangible evidence of the curriculum's impact.

When children leave Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School, they are equipped with the linguistic foundations and cultural awareness to continue their language learning journey with confidence. They have a strong foundation in our core concepts of communicating in French, understanding French grammar, and discovering culture, preparing them to be open-minded, globally aware citizens in our interconnected world.