French

French at Widewell Primary 

Intent 

At Widewell Primary, we aim to foster a deep appreciation for the French language and culture among our children. Our intent is to ensure that every child develops the skills and knowledge necessary to communicate effectively in French, laying a robust foundation for further language learning in secondary education and beyond. We strive to create a respectful and engaging environment where children can explore, experiment, and express themselves in French.  

Our aims: 

To equip students with the vocabulary and structures necessary for basic conversations and interactions in French. 

To instil an understanding and appreciation of Francophone cultures, enhancing students' global awareness and cultural empathy. 

To strengthen cognitive skills such as memory, problem-solving, and creativity through immersive language experiences. 

To encourage a love of learning languages by integrating games and interactive activities, making lessons enjoyable and memorable. 

Implementation 

At Widewell Primary, we have comprehensive curriculum that is carefully sequenced and progressively challenges children’s abilities in the French language though phonics, vocabulary and grammar. We provide opportunity for pupils to practice and develop their French listening, spoken and written language. Children are given opportunities to understand and communicate ideas, facts and feelings, orally and in writing. Our aim is to provide a strong foundation of the French language and an appreciation of French culture. 

Our curriculum is sequenced so our pupils’ schemata can grow, through the connection of new knowledge with previous knowledge. We define progress by our pupils knowing more, remembering more and being able to do more.  

We follow the National Curriculum guidelines while incorporating a wide range of resources, including songs, stories, and interactive media, to support language acquisition. Lessons are designed to be interactive and engaging, employing hands-on activities such as role play, games, and collaborative projects to maximise student participation and enjoyment. 

Teacher assessment allows us to tailor lessons to meet the diverse needs of our children. We provide constructive feedback to help them improve continuously. French is integrated into other subject areas and daily routines whenever possible, enhancing relevance and providing students with opportunities to use the language in varying contexts. Our staff also receive ongoing training in language pedagogy and cultural context to ensure high-quality delivery of lessons. 

Impact 

The impact of our French curriculum is evidenced through our children demonstrating progress in their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in French, with many achieving or exceeding age-related expectations. This can be evidenced in lessons and through children’s work. Teachers check understanding throughout each lesson and also ask pupils to retrieve prior knowledge so they can address gaps in knowledge and address misconceptions if neccessary.

Our children show an awareness and respect for cultural diversity, as observed through their participation in cultural events and discussions about French-speaking countries. High levels of enthusiasm and participation in our French lessons also indicate that our children find learning the language enjoyable and valuable. 

Through our approach to the French curriculum, we are committed to developing not only competent linguists but also culturally aware global citizens who value diversity and are prepared for the future.