“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages. The Holy Spirit was giving them the power to do this.”

Acts 2:4

Through our teaching and learning of French in KS2, our aim is to open pupils’ minds to another culture and language, whilst encouraging a curiosity and wider understanding of the world. Pupils will be supported to think and express their ideas in French, and to think of appropriate responses, both orally and in written tasks. Every child will become a reader of French, transferring skills they have developed in their reading in English, to assist in this. Pupils will be able to converse with confidence and fluency, with an awareness of correct pronunciation and intonation in the language. Our scheme of work will be inclusive, meeting the needs of our varied groups of learners. Due to the rich, cultural diversity of our school, we will hold days of celebration throughout the year, during which pupils can present their skills to a range of audiences through song and poetry.

According to the National Curriculum, learning a foreign language 'provides an opening to other cultures'. Here at St. Thomas of Canterbury, we have chosen to teach French in KS2. The subject leader is Miss Sale. Miss Sale has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) and a PGCE in MFL from the University of Oxford. All teachers in KS2 will be teaching MFL. 

Children are encouraged to:-

• Listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
• Engage in conversations, ask and answer questions, express opinions and respond to those of others, and seek clarification and help
• Read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
• 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, expressing their ideas clearly
• Describe people, places, things and actions in speech and in writing

Topics that have already been covered in the Autumn 1 unit 'Ourselves' include:-

• introductions
• greetings
• numbers 0-10

In the coming term, we will be revising these topics as well as introducing:-

• celebrations 
• school
• weather
• hobbies
• holidays

Our children look forward to French lessons and because of their young minds and instinctive curiosity, seem to retain new vocabulary almost effortlessly. They are often heard practising new words and phrases in the school corridors!

The 3 tenets of our French scheme are:

• Vocabulary
• Phonics
• Grammar

The 4 skills children will develop are:

• Speaking
• Listening
• Reading
• Writing

Reading

The children develop reading skills in French just as they are expected to in English. Children are expected to decode the sounds and pronunciation of French before attending to literal comprehension questions in French lessons. These link to the strands of our reading scheme. Children have access to French-language books and are expected to use French dictionaries efficiently. We have a cross-curricular poetry collection which contains French poetry too.

Inclusion

St Thomas has a robust system in place to meet the needs and requirements of all our pupils who have particular needs. We are committed to the inclusion of all children in our student community, and content is adapted so that everyone develops the skills to become an effective learner and a resilient participant in French lessons.  

Character development

The French scheme of work is highly ambitious and challenging in order to develop our students’ character. Learners are expected to be resilient, effective communicators, with good problem-solving skills.

In French club, the children have been developing their cultural capital by learning about France and practising conversational skills in French club. To celebrate Christmas, we ate some madeleines and crepes, listened to French Christmas songs, and learnt a song! Listen below:

Take your child to a museum

France has produced some of the most talented artists, such as Monet and Renoir. Check your local museum’s schedule to see when it is featuring a French-inspired exhibition and enjoy a day out.  Entry to museums is often free.

Celebrate French holidays

Celebrating important French holidays, such as Bastille Day, will teach your child about French history. Celebrate by making some fun crafts or taking part in holiday traditions. Similar to the Bonfire Night, the French display fireworks. Cook a French meal

Familiarise your child with French cuisine by making a traditional French meal, such as quiche and crème brûlée.

Watch a French movie

Fire up Netflix and host a French movie night with your family. Here are some child-friendly French movies you and your child can enjoy: “A Monster in Paris,” “The Red Ballon,” and “Tintin and the Lake of Sharks.”

Listen to French music

Do you have a Spotify account? Download some French songs to listen to while at home or on the road. Listening to French music will help familiarise your child with French accents and pronunciations.

Puzzles

You can download and print dozens of free French crosswords and word searches for your child. He or she will have fun playing, while simultaneously learning French vocabulary and simple sentences. Keep a stack in the car for long road trips.

Memory game

Create some French flashcards and place them face down on a table. Your child will flip over two cards. If the pictures match, your child will flip over two more cards. The point of the game is to match all of the cards from memory.

Colouring books

Purchase a French colouring book for. These colouring books will spark your child’s creativity, while helping them learn various vocabulary words and themes.

Read French books

There are lots of beginner French books. Le Petit Prince is one of the most well-known French children’s books. You can find the book in almost any book shop or online.

Hangman

This French activity is played exactly like the original Hangman version, except you are using French vocabulary words and phrases instead of English.