Ellington Primary School

French

French Overview

At Ellington Primary School, we understand the importance of studying a modern foreign language for our pupils to enhance their literacy skills, confidence and cultural understanding. Our aim is to embed a love of language learning within our curriculum in line with the statutory requirement to give every Key Stage 2 pupil the opportunity to access and learn a new language.

Please find below our key curriculum documents:

French Overview

French Progression of Skills

French Learning Journey

At Ellington Primary School, we previously identified a number of historical gaps in the teaching and learning of French. In order to fill these gaps, we decided to follow the Language Angels scheme of work that is planned for pupils with limited French experience. For this reason, during the academic year 2023-24, units appeared more than once in different year groups. This is because pupils needed to complete particular units in a teaching type before moving on to ensure the best coverage of the curriculum.

In line with this French learning journey, during this academic year (2024-25), pupils will encounter units of work that build on the firm foundation of French that they were able to secure last year. Children first have French lessons in year 3, where all of the units of work are classed as 'Early Language' units. In years 4, 5 and 6, pupils will be able to tackle intermediate language units of work which rely on the skills and knowledge that they acquired in previous year groups.

An example of the French learning journey for the academic year 2024-25 can also be found below:

French learning journey for the academic year 2024-25.

French at Ellington

French is taught in a whole class setting by the class teacher and is therefore not reliant on one key member of staff.

Teachers plan their lessons using the Language Angels scheme of work and can supplement this with their own ideas and experience and those of their colleagues.

The lessons are designed to motivate, captivate and interest children from the first moment. They have clear, achievable objectives and incorporate different learning styles. SEN children have access to the curriculum through variation of task, grouping or support from an adult.

Each class has a timetabled lesson of forty minutes per week. French can also be revisited in short sessions throughout the week to consolidate knowledge and ensure new language is retained.

French lessons include:

PowerPoints and interactive whiteboard materials
Interactive games (which pupils can access from home to consolidate their learning)
Songs & raps
Differentiated desk-based consolidation activities
Worksheets (at three different levels of challenge) are provided throughout each teaching unit

Each lesson will focus on a combination of the 5 key language l earning skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar).

At Ellington Primary, we aim to create a culture where conversational French is spoken by all at every opportunity including break and lunch times, during registration and in passing when moving around school. Children will also be offered the chance to participate in a French extra curricular activity club to revise and expand their existing knowledge. We really hope to foster a love of learning a second language which will drive our children’s aspirations to become lifelong language learners in line with our curriculum driver. The learning experiences we aim to provide for children both in and out of class, guarantee that languages are celebrated and multiculturalism is championed throughout our school community.

National Curriculum

The teaching of French at Ellington is underpinned by the requirements of the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum for Modern Foreign Languages can be found here: