Cedarwood Primary School

Intent
At Cedarwood, we recognise that a high quality Modern Foreign Languages education prepares pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly carried out in languages other than English. It is our intent that pupils will develop the growing knowledge, skills and confidence to communicate in French as well as an appreciation of the beauty of languages (including their own) and an awareness of the wide range of people, communities and cultures that exist.

Implementation
The National Curriculum for Languages aims to ensure that all pupils:

• understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
• speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
• can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
• discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied

In addition, we acknowledge the importance of increasing cultural awareness by learning about different countries and their people and seek to foster positive attitudes towards language learning and the diversity of society.

At Cedarwood, we strive to help the children develop a passion for MFL. We will develop skills and knowledge through practical activities.  Cross-curricular links will be made wherever possible to make learning deeper and more meaningful.  Literacy skills are enhanced through reading strategies, knowledge about grammar structures and vocabulary.  We provide high quality resources, including dual-language dictionaries, real books, songs and interactive resources. In addition, we arrange enrichment activities, such as cafés, shops and virtual trips, and encourage different year groups to share their learning and act as language ambassadors.

Teachers follow a tailored scheme of work with strong cross-curricular links. Lessons are carefully sequenced to provide progression, differentiation and engagement. These are supported through high quality resources and interactive experiences.

Lessons are taught through a variety of mediums including real books, interactive presentations and the use of internet clips. New vocabulary is introduced through repetition, songs and games. Sound clips of native speakers are used to provide authentic pronunciation.

Pupils are taught the following progressive speaking and listening skills:

• Listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining and responding
• Explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of the words
• Engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help
• Speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language
• Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases
• Present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences

Pupils are also taught the following progressive literacy skills:

• Read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
• Appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
• Broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
• Write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly
• Describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing

Impact
We intend that the impact of our MFL curriculum is a secure understanding of language skills and related vocabulary which enables pupils to function, thrive and foster their curiosity in a rapidly changing world.  It is our aim that pupils will have an understanding of the benefits of speaking a second language and its positive impact on their futures and are motivated learners with a good foundation on which to continue their language education. Most importantly, it is our aim that when pupils leave our school they are able to communicate effectively with others, to become respectful, appreciative, positive citizens of the multicultural world.