At Inkpen Primary School, we value French because the learning of a modern foreign language develops many transferable skills, for example:

• Communication (spoken and written) and listening are an integral part of all lessons.
• Appreciating and celebration of linguistic and cultural differences.
• Pupils become more adept at focusing on relevant information and editing out the irrelevant.
• Pupils develop their understanding of grammar.
• Understand the purpose of learning a language through a wide range of materials.
• Pupils regularly learn new vocabulary which helps them to recall information better and more quickly, as well as improving their range of vocabulary in English.
• Pupils are also required to speak French for a range of purposes. They must think about what they want to say and have the confidence to deliver it.
• Pupils often problem solve in language lessons, not only because of the nature of the tasks but also because of the nature of language learning.
• Pupils often have to come up with creative and fun ways to express what they want to say using alternative methods.

We use a variety of teaching and learning styles in French lessons, with the aim to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding of French in the 4 skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Each year group in Key Stage 2 (years 3-6) receives one hour of French teaching from a specialist teacher Mrs Nighy every week. Children are required to understand and respond to increasingly complex spoken and written language. Lessons are adapted according to the progress and needs of children. Infants also have exposure to French and take an active part in our annual European Day of Languages Celebration.

Within the teaching of French, the aim is for all children to:

• 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
• 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.

French is assessed against the French Skills Progression grids and this feeds into future teaching. Assessment data is passed on between classes, so subsequent teaching can build on the skills and knowledge the child has already achieved.

Embracing Physical French Phonics 

At our school, we recognise the vital role that phonics play in mastering French language skills. By employing a physical French phonics multisensory approach, we facilitate an engaging learning environment that supports students in understanding both the written and spoken forms of the language. This method not only enhances their pronunciation but also reinforces their comprehension of key linguistic concepts. Our commitment to this innovative teaching strategy ensures that learners acquire a profound appreciation for French, equipping them with the confidence and skills necessary for effective communication in a variety of contexts.