MFL (Modern Foreign Languages)

subject-on-a-page mfl Progression in Modern Foreign Language

Vision:

At Audlem, we are determined to ensure each KS2 child receives high quality MFL teaching. We chose to teach the children French as this supports their transition into our local high schools that also teach French. Lessons should teach children the skills needed to communicate confidently in French. Children should also be able to express their thoughts and ideas both in speech and writing. Throughout the week, the children get the opportunity to practice what they have learned through a scheme that we use.

Statement of intent
Our scheme of work ensures that children have a varied and well mapped out MFL curriculum, progressively covering the National Curriculum requirements and with access to a wide variety of learning materials including authentic sources. Lessons are structured so that pupils are progressively moving from learning at simple word level, to phrase level and then onto sentence level, increasing in complexity as skills develop. Opportunities are given for prior language and skills acquisition to be frequently revisited, reinforced and developed.

Implementation
Lessons are delivered by teachers/TA's and are planned alongside skills progression maps, sequenced to ensure that children are given the opportunity to practise existing skills and develop more advanced skills in preparation for their next stage of language learning. During lessons pupil progress is continually assessed across the key skills and subsequent lessons are structured to reinforce areas of weakness or develop strengths. Pupils are also given regular opportunities to assess their own learning and skills, for example using 'I can' statements for language retrieval and language learning skills, as well as peer assessment during speaking and listening tasks. Pupils are encouraged to show understanding through responding to the language, joining in with songs, stories, actions and games.

Impact
Impact is measured through key questioning built into lessons, frequent revisits to prior learning and child-led and teacher assessment which informs next steps in learning. Formal assessment is carried out at the end of each topic and show children's progress – working towards/meeting/exceeding – against the MFL National Curriculum Attainment Targets and Skills Progression.

Key Stage 2

Pupils should be taught about:

• listening attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
• exploring the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
• engaging in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help*
• speaking in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
• developing accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases*
• presenting ideas and information orally to a range of audiences*
• reading carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
• appreciating stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
• broadening their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary
• writing phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly
• describing people, places, things and actions orally* and in writing
• understanding basic grammar appropriate to the language being studied, including (where relevant): feminine, masculine and neuter forms and the conjugation of high-frequency verbs; key features and patterns of the language; how to apply these, for instance, to build sentences; and how these differ from or are similar to English

(The starred (*) content above will not be applicable to ancient languages.)

The contribution of MFL to teaching in other curriculum areas

English
The learning of a modern foreign language contributes to the development of our children's listening and speaking skills. It also develops the children's grasp of linguistic features such as rhyme, rhythm and emphasises the importance of knowing the role of different word types in sentence structure.

Mathematics
Children reinforce their time-telling skills by playing time-related games in the foreign language. We play number games, too, that reinforce their counting and calculation skills, expand their understanding of date, and increase their knowledge about money.

Personal, social and health education (PSHE)
One of the main benefits to the children of learning a modern foreign language at primary school level is a social one. It gives the children the opportunity to learn about cultures from a different country. Lessons also give children the opportunity to take part in paired/ group work.

Geography
We ask the children to do research on the different countries in which the French language is spoken after they have first found them on a map or a globe. In MFL lessons children will learn the names of cities and towns in France and will also begin to describe the weather.

MFL and SMSC
Spiritual
MFL supports Spiritual development by getting the pupils excited about learning about the world around them.

Moral
MFL supports Moral development by encouraging pupils to recognise the importance of learning a MFL from another country to enable them to respect how difficult it is when people visit Britain and try to speak a new language.

Social
MFL supports Social development by allowing children to work with a partner or as part of a group.

Cultural
MFL Supports Cultural development by encouraging children to appreciate the similarities and differences between France and Britain.

Enrichment
Every year, we hold a French day to promote French/language learning throughout school. The Year 6 children hold a French market which links to the learning they complete in class. The other classes complete a range of activities to support their language learning and give them an increasing understanding of French.

"I love it when we do the French Café because we get to ask and learn how to say food in French," Year 6 child.