Subject Leader - Mr Butler

Link Governor - Mrs Holden

MFL Curriculum Documents

MFL Policy

MFL Curriculum Overview

MFL Progression Map

Intent

At The Priory Primary School, we recognize that learning a modern foreign language provides our children with the unique opportunity to communicate beyond traditional borders; expanding their horizons, whether it be with another community in our country or outside of our country. We understand that language learning from a young age enables children to appreciate different cultures and traditions, driving our British values of acceptance and tolerance. With globalisation expanding at a rapid rate, it is becoming increasingly important for our children to demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of different languages and cultures. Studying a second language will also enrich pupil’s literacy and oracy in school, by raising awareness of their own languages(s). 

In French lessons, we strive for lessons to be as authentic and fun as possible, providing children with ample opportunities to communicate in the target language, French. Our school prioritises all strands of language learning: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and allows children to relate language learning to other subjects through cross-curricular links. 

Curriculum Drivers 

Cultural Heritage: 

• Our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum aims to inspire our children to be curious about their own culture and the cultures of others, by encouraging them to question, investigate, and explore how communication works in the world around them.  
• Through structured lessons and a broad curriculum, we aim to give our children the opportunity to partake in activities that will enrich their experiences and develop their retention abilities, with repetitive, interactive language games. 
• Ultimately, we recognise that our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum should provide pupils with the chance to comfortably acquire and practice the language and listening skills they will need in order to adapt to a rapidly changing world. 
• Where possible, we use school trips and internal visitors to enrich children’s understanding of how and why Modern Foreign Languages feature within the wider world. 

Aspirations: 

• Our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum is planned around the ideology that all of our pupils will be able to engage with MFL, and therefore ideally converse in French, throughout their lives.  
• We enrich all curriculum areas, including Modern Foreign Languages, by introducing our children to different career options linked to subjects, such as language teachers and translators. We do this through lessons, assemblies, and by inviting people within these careers to come and talk to our children. 
• We aim to inspire our children to leave primary school with a love of Modern Foreign Languages and a desire to study them at secondary school and at University. 

Awe and Wonder: 

• Pupils should enjoy what they are learning and topics should foster curiosity, giving the opportunity for children to ask meaningful questions.
• High-quality resources are created and used within each topic area to inspire children within Modern Foreign Languages.
• Where possible, we form partnerships with external organisations and projects to give our children opportunities to learn outside of the curriculum and learn from specialists. 

Experiential learning: 

• We firmly believe in the power that meaningful ‘real life experiences’ can have upon children’s retention and enjoyment. 
• Within every topic, we focus on the key vocabulary from each lesson, embedding this within future and ‘real-life’ scenarios to engage children in the topic. 
• Our specialist scheme is used to deliver Modern Foreign language lessons, ensuring that children have access to high-quality resources and provisions.  
• Topic planning within Modern Foreign Languages includes extensive lists of resources that are shared with teachers in advance of lessons being taught. This ensures that each lesson is sufficiently equipped to give children as many experiences and opportunities to practice their language skills.

Language and oracy: 

• Vocabulary is an integral part of our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum based on the needs of our pupils. Throughout all Key Stages and topics, key vocabulary is chosen and built upon. This forms a key part of the Modern Foreign Languages progression maps. 
• To support our children with engaging in conversations around Modern Foreign Languages, each lesson has a starter and requires repetitive group activities.
• To further encourage the use of higher-order vocabulary, our curriculum provides an opportunity for rich dialogue through Philosophy for Children (P4C), helping children to articulate their own choices and understanding. 
• Where possible, we enjoy sharing stories in foreign languages to help our children retain information and be excited about acquiring new vocabulary.