French

At Sharp Lane Primary School, we work with the award-winning primary languages provider Lingotot West Yorkshire to deliver weekly French lessons across KS2. We believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop their ability to communicate, including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of how language works. It provides excitement, enjoyment and challenge for children,helping to create enthusiastic learners and to develop positive attitudes to language learning throughout life. 

Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to 
understand their own cultures and those of others within their school and community. The natural 
links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enrich the overall teaching and 
learning experience. 

All pupils are entitled to foreign language learning in school time. Sharp Lane Primary recognises the 
value of this initiative and will provide age-appropriate Primary Languages learning opportunities for 
all children, the focus language taught in our school is French.

 

Intent
Aims and objectives of Primary Languages education at Sharp Lane Primary.
The aims of Primary Languages teaching at Sharp Lane Primary are to 
• Enable pupils to develop knowledge, understand concepts and acquire skills in all 3 pillars of 
language learning (phonics, grammar and vocabulary) and be able to choose and apply these 
in spoken and written situations.
• Teach phonics, grammar and vocabulary systematically, offering clear progression and 
regular opportunities to revisit previous learning across word, sentence and text level.
• Promote a positive and inquisitive attitude towards learning and lay the foundations for 
learning further languages.
• Ensure equal access to learning for all pupils, with high expectations for every pupil and 
appropriate levels of challenge and support, including a personalised curriculum for native 
French speakers.
• Pupils to feel confident to make links between the knowledge they already have in their first 
(or additional) language and the knowledge they are acquiring and to be able to use these 
skills to develop their understanding.
• Provide a rich experience of traditions and culture from France and French speaking 
countries to equip pupils with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life 
as global citizens.
• Support and promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all 
pupils and to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later 
life.

Implementation
At Sharp Lane Primary we believe that languages should be learnt through enjoyment, enthusiasm 
and engagement in purposeful tasks. This means that children are exposed to another language in a 
fun and worthwhile way. It is mainly centred in speaking and listening activities, with reading and 
writing following and given greater priority in Key Stage 2. 
French is taught across KS2. In Years 3-6, children receive a 45 minute session of French weekly, 
taught by specialist language teachers from Lingotot West Yorkshire. 
In the lessons, the pupils will: 
• ask and respond to questions; 
• memorise words and expressions; 
• interpret meaning and make sensible guesses; 
• use the phonological knowledge to pronounce words correctly;
• formulate sentences; 
• differentiate between different audiences; 
• appreciate another language and culture; 
• work in pairs and groups to communicate effectively. 
• Written tasks will be moving children on in lessons and provide them the opportunity show their 
knowledge and understanding 
Activities will: 
• appeal to all learners (Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic); 
• involve whole class, small group and pair work tasks; 
• include ICT where appropriate and involve games, role play and action songs when possible; 
• promote self-confidence and achievement; 
• be planned and structured to accommodate all levels of ability (inclusion of children with SEN and 
extending children who are gifted and talented); 
• have clear, achievable outcomes. 

Cross-curricular Links
English – reinforcement of the SPAG and literacy curriculum is evident on a weekly basis in our 
French lessons. Recognising cognates features highly throughout the scheme. But more importantly 
we’re embedding their use of parts of the language, using the correct terminology to further help 
them across their English lessons. 
Maths – numbers, dates, shapes, directions, time, adding and subtracting, money are all throughout 
our curriculum, further cementing their learning in KS2.
PSHE - French makes a significant contribution to PSHE and citizenship education by teaching 
children how similar and different their lives are to those who live in other countries. Children are 
encouraged to value the privileges and opportunities they have in their own lives and show empathy 
for those living in other countries who may not have these. Differences are seen not as a barrier or 
reason for division but as part of the world, and life’s, natural diversity, and are recognised and 
appropriately celebrated. We cover topics on emotions, multi-cultural celebration, mental health, 
physical wellness to name a few. 
Geography - We ask the children to do research on the different countries in which the particular 
foreign language is spoken after they have first found them on a map or a globe. We learn about the 
countries that speak French around the world and how it may differ from country to country; 
learning flags and culture. In MFL lessons children will learn about the climate of the countries in 
which the language is spoken. 
Music – Songs form a part of every lesson in our French classes – both traditional and modern –
which of course helps them develop a sense of rhythm and an ear for melody. 
History - We teach children about traditional festivals in France, celebrations and compare them to 
those in the U.K.
Science - Children reinforce their knowledge of parts of the body through related games, such as a 
French version of “Simon Says”, or ”Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”. 
Art & DT - Children use a variety of Art & DT skills to present their knowledge and understanding, 
e.g. menus, fact files, comic strips, posters and booklets. They also learn about typical French food 
and take part in food tasting. 
PE - We teach children through active learning that require fast reactions, for example, French
versions of “Simon Says” and “Corners”. As the children progress through school, we use outdoor 
learning, relay races and parachute games to help them embed their knowledge in an active way. 

Assessment
Specialist teachers assess pupils’ progress using formative assessment during the lessons as well as 
using summative assessment at the end of every half term, evaluating outcomes against the key 
linguistic skills practised: 
•Listening and Responding; 
•Speaking; 
•Reading and Responding; 
•Writing

Impact
Through the use of a specialist teacher, French should be heightened across the school and children 
should be confident in talking freely about the subject. 

In ensuring that the points made in the ‘Implementation’ section of the policy are followed 
rigorously, pupils enjoyment, and therefore attainment in the subject will be of a high standard. This 
will be monitored by the subject leader.